Royal International Air Tattoo 2023 General Discussion Thread

[thevulcan]

It's that time of year again folks

USAF ACC demo schedules are out no F-16 or A-10 demo teams for RIAT next year as they are commited to other events.

The F-22 and F-35 Demo teams do have a gap over the RIAT weekend in both there schedules. Of course this doesn't mean they are confirmed or even attending but all we can do is hope Fingers crossed.

As for the theme for next year's show it is still TBA but based off the past few years with last year being Trainers and the year before being ISTAR and Maritime Patrol and the year before that being Airpower (Fighters etc) I wonder if next year's theme will be Tankers and transports? (just a thought probably wrong )

[Professor_M]

I wonder if next year's theme will be Tankers and transports? (just a thought probably wrong )

Next year does mark 80 years of A2A refuelling, so it could be fitting - then again, I'm sure more goes into choosing the operational themes than just anniversaries.

[Discodaz]

i too have been eagerly awaiting the US preliminary show dates calendar, and yet again totally disappointed.no A10s again for RIAT.im beginning to wonder if i will ever see one fly

i know there are still gaps for other display teams so, fingers crossed.

I'm personally just hoping RIAT is another step closer to "back to normal" this year with a few more fast jet participants.

lets face it, as much as i enjoyed it ( 'cos its RIAT), it was a bit of a heli and prop fest......


......BRING ON THE BURNERS......

Daz

[GVLCN]

It’s quite clear to me RIAT 2023 will be the biggest flop yet, no mention of aircraft themes or anything aviation related! All I constantly get bombarded with is how much we can rip you off with a £1000 a night glamping pod for the arrivals, how to spend an extra £500 on additional enclosures once I’ve paid my FRIAT pass.

The whole thing is turned into a joke & I will be avoiding this circus next year.

I can go to lakenheath or coningsby for free, pay to stay in centre parcs or tattersall lakes at a fraction of the cost & see some decent aircraft.

[Discodaz]

i do agree with one thing..i find it damn annoying after buying your tickets that they bombard you with emails to upgrade.

the way i see the cost (although expensive) is, it must cost a phenomenal amount of money to get all these nations to Fairford for almost 1 week per year. And where else are you going to get that variety of aircraft in one spot. For me personally, and again i don't disagree its expensive, its worth it for those reasons.

Daz

[milaviation]

Surely they are very late on the theme this year

[Professor_M]

Surely they are very late on the theme this year

I was thinking exactly the same today, it was on the 19th of November last year that we were told this year's theme, but perhaps that was early as 2020's theme was announced on the 30th January, so we could have a while to wait still.

[Discodaz]

lets not forget, last year they were trying to encourage people to go to large events again.it could have been early to try and sell as many tickets as possible, post covid restrictions.

daz

[timb]

Lets hope we get a special mkd Argentinian A.F C130H

[bizfreeq]

It’s quite clear to me RIAT 2023 will be the biggest flop yet, no mention of aircraft themes or anything aviation related! All I constantly get bombarded with is how much we can rip you off with a £1000 a night glamping pod for the arrivals, how to spend an extra £500 on additional enclosures once I’ve paid my FRIAT pass.

The whole thing is turned into a joke & I will be avoiding this circus next year.

I can go to lakenheath or coningsby for free, pay to stay in centre parcs or tattersall lakes at a fraction of the cost & see some decent aircraft.

I'm sure they'll be gutted to hear you're not coming! In the meantime the rest of us will enjoy your 'flop' with all its myriad attendees whilst you're sat lonely watching grey Typhoon after grey Typhoon whiz past the caravan

[Kurnass]

i too have been eagerly awaiting the US preliminary show dates calendar, and yet again totally disappointed.no A10s again for RIAT.im beginning to wonder if i will ever see one fly

i know there are still gaps for other display teams so, fingers crossed.

I'm personally just hoping RIAT is another step closer to "back to normal" this year with a few more fast jet participants.

lets face it, as much as i enjoyed it ( 'cos its RIAT), it was a bit of a heli and prop fest......


......BRING ON THE BURNERS......

Daz

If you want to see A-10’s (or ANG F-15/F-16), you should consider a Germany trip next year, as many of them will participate in a nice exercise. Word is some 30+ F-15, 16 ANG F-16 and probably 24 ANG A-10’s. Talking about burners

Exercise will be in June, so unfortunately doesn’t coincide with RIAT

[Discodaz]

thanks for the heads up but i dont do going abroad so i doubt that would happen.

Daz

[Gary]

Never seen the point in the themes. How many times over the years have they used for example a mini tiger meet as a theme only for nothing to show up.

Calling it a flop over 7 months before the show is laughable at best.

Same as all the people who went off on a rant when the new FRIAT pricing was announced only to book at the first opportunity. Fear of missing out will make 99% go again next year.

It’s not just DBH who have ramped up their marketing. Everyone has been more active. DBH know they will have a tough time persuading for family to pay for general entrance tickets let alone an upgrade when they don’t know if they can afford to put the heating on at the moment.

[sneezy24]

Just got my tickets for Thursday, Saturday and Monday.

How about getting the Korean Black Eagles back? Superb display!

[reaper493]

USAF Heritage flight displays have just been released, 3x Overseas Airshows mentioned in July, RIAT looks good to get one of them.

[local to Brize]

USAF Heritage flight :- Royal International Air Tattoo | RAF Fairford, UK | July 15-17 | F-35, A-10

The A-10 will please a few people (including myself)

[jasonT1981]

Confirmed Aircraft

Flying

BELGIUM - BELGIAN AIR COMPONENT
General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon

CIVILIAN
Messerschmitt Me 262 - Flugmuseum Messerschmitt
Gloster Meteor T7 Martin Baker
SAAB JAS-39E Gripen - SAAB


CZECH REPUBLIC - CZECH REPUBLIC AIR FORCE
SAAB JAS-39C Gripen

DENMARK - ROYAL DANISH AIR FORCE
General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon

FINLAND - FINNISH AIR FORCE
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet

FRANCE - FRENCH AIR AND SPACE FORCE
Boeing C-135FR Stratotanker (Friday Flypast only) (Sky Tanker)
Dassault Rafale C

GERMANY - GERMAN AIR FORCE
Airbus A400M (Sky Tanker) (Flypast)
Panavia Tornado ECR (Sky Tanker)
Panavia Tornado IDS

GERMANY - GERMAN ARMY AVIATION
NH90 TTH

HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN - ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR FORCE
Extra 330LX (x4) Royal Jordanian Falcons

ITALY - ITALIAN AIR FORCE
Eurofighter F-2000A Typhoon
Leonardo C-27J Spartan
Leonardo HH-139B
Leonardo T-346A Master

ITALY - ITALIAN ARMY
Agusta AH-129D Mangusta

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA - ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE
Saudi Hawks Display Team - BAE Systems Hawk Mk.65 (x7)

SPAIN - SPANISH AIR FORCE
CASA C-101 Aviojet (x7) Patrulla Águila Display Team

SPAIN - SPANISH NAVY
McDonnell Douglas EAV-8B Harrier II

SWEDEN - SWEDISH AIR FORCE
SAAB JAS-39C Gripen
SAAB SK.60

UAE - UAE AIR FORCE AND
AIR DEFENCE
Aermacchi MB-339NAT (x7)

UNITED KINGDOM - ROYAL AIR FORCE
Red Arrows - Hawk T1 x 8
RAF Battle of Britain Memorail Flight - Avro Lancaster, Spitfire & Hurricane
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 29 Squadron / RAF Typhoon Display Team
Airbus A400M Atlas C1 (Friday only)
Airbus A330 Voyager KC3 (SkyTanker theme - Refueling demo)
Boeing Chinook HC6A
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - US AIR FORCE
Boeing B-52H Stratofortress
Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker (SKYTANKER)
Boeing CV-22B Osprey
Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II


Static



BELGIUM - BELGIAN AIR COMPONENT
General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon X2
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260D

CANADA - ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE
Lockheed CP-140M Aurora
Lockheed Martin CC-130J Hercules

CIVILIAN
Aermacchi MB.326E
Aermacchi MB.326K
Aeromere Falco F8L
Aérospatiale Gazelle
Agusta A109S Grand
Airbus Helicopters H175M
American General AG-5B Tiger
Avro RJ70 QinetiQ
BAC Jet Provost T3a - Newcastle Jet Provost Group
Beechcraft 200 Super King Air - 2Excel Aviation
Beechcraft G18S
Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker
Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander
Cessna 172S Skyhawk
Cessna SkyCourier
Comco Ikarus C42C
Dassault Falcon 20
Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet
De Havilland Vampire FB.52 - Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron
DHC Chipmunk T10
DHC Chipmunk T10
DHC-6 Twin Otter Guardian 400
Diamond DA62 MPP
Embraer ERJ-145
Evektor EV-97 Eurostar
FIAT G.46 (x3)
FIAT G.91R
Gulfstream G500 - Gulfstream
Hawker Hunter Mk.58 - Hawker Hunter Aviation
Leonardo AW189 - Bristow Helicopters
Max Holste MH1521 Broussard
Messerschmitt Me 262
North American Harvard Mk. IV
North American P-51D Mustang
North American P-51D Mustang
North American T-6 Texan (x2)
Piaggio P-149D (x2)
Piaggio P-166C
Pilatus PC-21
Piper PA-31 Navajo - 2Excel / Leonardo
Pipistel Velis Electro
Reims-Cessna F152
Reims-Cessna FR172H
SAAB 340B Cranfield University
Scottish Aviation Bulldog MK.124
Scottish Aviation Bulldog T1
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260AM
Sikorsky S-92A - Bristow Helicopters
Slingsby T66 Nipper - Aerial Vocations Limited
Stinson Reliant Navy Wings
Supermarine Seafire XVII - Navy Wings
Supermarine Spitfire XIX - Rolls Royce Heritage Flight
Supermarine Spitfire XIX - Rolls Royce Heritage Flight
Tecnam P2008JC - RAF Waddington Flying Club
Vans RV-12 - Southampton University Aviation Society
Westland Lynx AH7 - Project Lynx
Westland Scout AH1 - Historic Army Aircraft Flight
Westland Sea King Mk.48 - Historic Helicopters
Westland Wasp HAS1 -- Navy Wings
Cirrus SR22T - Private Owner
SAAB GlobalEye AEW&C - SAAB
SAAB JAS-39E Gripen

CZECH REPUBLIC - CZECH REPUBLIC AIR FORCE
Mil Mi-171Sh Hip
Aero Vodochody L-159 ALCA

DENMARK - ROYAL DANISH AIR FORCE
General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon

FRANCE - FRENCH AIR AND SPACE FORCE
Socata TBM-700

GERMANY - GERMAN AIR FORCE
Eurofighter EF2000
Sikorsky CH-53G

GERMANY - GERMAN ARMY AVIATION
NH90 TTH

GREECE - HELLENIC AIR FORCE
McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II (x2)

HUNGARY - HUNGARIAN AIR FORCE
SAAB JAS-39C Gripen

HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN - ROYAL JORDANIAN AIR FORCE
Lockheed C-130H Hercules

ITALY - ITALIAN AIR FORCE
AMX A-11A Ghibli (x2)
Boeing KC-767A
Gulfstream G550 CAEW
Leonardo C-27J Spartan
Leonardo HH-101A Caesar
Leonardo P-72A
Lockheed KC-130J Hercules
Panavia A-200A Tornado (x2)
SIAI-Marchetti U-208A (x2)
Eurofighter F-2000A Typhoon

ITALY - ITALIAN NAVY
McDonnell Douglas AV-8B+ Harrier II

ITALY - ITALIAN ARMY
Dornier Do-228 28°
Leonardo UH-169B

IRELAND - IRISH AIR CORPS
AgustaWestland AW139
Eurocopter EC-135

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA - ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE
Airbus A330 MRTT (Sky Tanker)

LITHUANIA - LITHUANIAN AIR FORCE
Leonardo C-27J Spartan

NATO
Airbus A330 MRTT (Sky Tanker)

POLAND - POLISH AIR FORCE
Sukhoi Su-22M Fitter

PORTUGAL - PORTUGUESE AIR FORCE
Socata TB-30 Epsilon (x2)

ROMANIA - ROMANIAN AIR FORCE
Antonov An-26 Curl

SLOVAK REPUBLIC - SLOVAKIAN AIR FORCE
LET L-410UVP Turbolet

SPAIN - SPANISH AIR FORCE
CASA C-295

SPAIN - SPANISH NAVY
McDonnell Douglas EAV-8B Harrier II

STATE OF QATAR - QATAR EMIRI AIR FORCE
BAE Systems Hawk Mk.167 (x2)
Eurofighter Typhoon

THE NETHERLANDS - ROYAL NETHERLANDS AIR FORCE
Boeing CH-47F Chinook (x2)
General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon (x2)
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II (x2)
NH90 NFH

SWEDEN - SWEDISH AIR FORCE
SAAB JAS-39D Gripen
SAAB SK.60

UNITED KINGDOM - ROYAL AIR FORCE
Airbus Helicopters Juno HT1 (x2)
Airbus Helicopters Jupiter HT1
BAE Systems Hawk T2 (x2)
Beechcraft Texan T1 (x2)
Embraer Phenom T1
Grob Prefect T1 (x2)
Grob Tutor T1 (x2)
Airbus A400M Atlas C1
Boeing C-17A Globemaster III
Boeing Poseidon MRA1
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 (x2)
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 XI(F) Squadron
Eurofighter Typhoon T3 12 Squadron

UNITED KINGDOM - ROYAL NAVY
Beechcraft Avenger T1
Airbus Helicopters AS365 N2 Dauphin II - Bristow Helicopters / Fleet Operational Sea Training
Leonardo Merlin HC4

UNITED KINGDOM - ARMY AIR CORPS
Boeing Apache AH2 3 Regiment
Leonardo Wildcat AH1
Westland Gazelle AH1 (x2)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - US AIR FORCE
Boeing C-17A Globemaster III
Boeing B-52H Stratofortress
Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker (SKYTANKER)
General Dynamics F-16CJ Fighting Falcon (x2)
Learjet C-21A 86th Airlift Wing
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle
Lockheed Martin WC-130J Weatherbird
Lockheed U-2
Boeing CV-22B Osprey
Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - US NAVY
Boeing E-6B Mercury



Support

Civilian
Cessna 195 ((Italian Air Force 100th)
Embraer ERJ-145 BAE Systems Corporate Air Travel
Aérospatiale Gazelle

ITALY - ITALIAN AIR FORCE
Piaggio P.180 Avanti

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA - ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE
Lockheed C-130H Hercules

POLAND - POLISH AIR FORCE
CASA C-295M

SPAIN - SPANISH AIR FORCE
CASA C-295

SPAIN - SPANISH NAVY
Cessna Citation

UAE - UAE AIR FORCE AND AIR DEFENCE
Boeing C-17A Globemaster III
Lockheed C-130H Hercules


Visitor
CIVILIAN
Embraer ERJ-145 -BAE Systems Corporate Air Travel

SWITZERLAND - SWISS AIR FORCE
Dassault Falcon 900EX

Cancelled

ARGENTINA - ARGENTINIAN AIR FORCE
Boeing 737

CIVILIAN
Cessna L-19A Bird Dog Private Operator
Aero Vodochody L-159E Honey Badger - Draken Europe

CZECH REPUBLIC - CZECH AIR FORCE
Aero Vodochody L-159 ALCA


FRANCE - FRENCH NAVY
Eurocopter AS365N3 Dauphin
NH90 NFH

FINLAND - FINNISH AIR FORCE
BAE Hawk

GERMANY - GERMAN AIR FORCE
Airbus Helicopters H145M LUH SOP

ITALY - ITALIAN AIR FORCE
Agusta-Bell HH-212A

THE NETHERLANDS - ROYAL NETHERLANDS AIR FORCE
Lockheed C-130H Hercules

TURKEY - TURKISH AIR FORCE
Turkish Stars - 6x NF-5A Freedom Fighter

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - US AIR FORCE
Boeing KC-46A Pegasus 78th Air Refueling Squadron SKYTANKER
Gulfstream C-37A

ZAMBIA - ZAMBIAN AIR FORCE
Leonardo C-27J Spartan



In discussion to Attend

Brazilian Air Force
Slovenian Army Aviation Command


Declined
Argentine Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Austrian Air Force, Bangladesh Air Force, Armed Forces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Brazilian Air Force, Bulgarian Air Force, Chilean Air Force, Chilean Navy, Cyprus Air Force Command, Egyptian Air Force, French Navy, German Navy, Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Indian Air Force, Indonesian Air Force, Iraqi Air Force, Israeli Air Force, Italian Coastguard, Japan Air Self Defense Force, Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Kuwait Air Force, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Mexican Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Pakistan Air Force, Polish Armed Forces, Polish Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Serbian Air Force, Slovenian Army Aviation Command, Turkish Air Force, US Coast Guard, US Marine Corps, Zambian Air Force

FRIDAY

CIVILIAN
SAAB JAS-39E Gripen


DENMARK - ROYAL DANISH AIR FORCE
General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon

FRANCE - FRENCH AIR AND SPACE FORCE
Boeing C-135FR Stratotanker

ITALY - ITALIAN ARMY
Agusta AH-129D Mangusta

KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA - ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE
BAE Systems Hawk Mk.65 (x7)

SPAIN - SPANISH NAVY
McDonnell Douglas EAV-8B Harrier II

SWEDEN - SWEDISH AIR FORCE
SAAB SK.60

UNITED KINGDOM - ROYAL AIR FORCE
BBMF Avro Lancaster/Hawker Hurricane/Supermarine Spitfire
Red Arrows BAE Systems Hawk T1 (x8)
Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4
Airbus Voyager KC3
Airbus Atlas C1
Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II


ARRIVALS
Hungarian JAS-39C
NATO MMU A330-MRTT
AAC Apache AH2
AAC Wildcat
AAC Gazelle x2
RN Merlin
Historic Helicopters SeaKing

[peasus911]

The 2023 dates have been posted by Flightline UK on Twitter. Very sketchy as it doesn't disclose the Aircraft type committed but does leave a space during the RIAT weekend for a Overseas Show.
Fingers crossed for some more solid and positive news in the spring.

[Gary]

Email from DBH says early bird tickets end on Tuesday for anyone wanting to save a little cash

[Tiger 1]

Thanks for the Info Gary

T1