Royal International Air Tattoo 2023 General Discussion Thread

[quid21]

Saw a Draken display at the Midlands air festival? I thought I read they were not allowed to display in the UK?

they can't perform complex manoeuvres (aerobatics)

Oh I see, so just flypasts but no loops etc. thanks.

[jasonT1981]

No Typhoon/Lancaster formation planned for RIAT

[MabsUK]

No Typhoon/Lancaster formation planned for RIAT

Where have you seen that? Last year it was the same with the Typhoon and Spitfire that had displayed together elsewhere but didn't at Fairford!

[James Cutting]

That's really disappointing if it's true!! Yes also a huge disappointment with the Typhoon last year. Sure there'll be a valid reason somewhere...

Just seen on UKAR by RIAT Air Ops it's not happening

[jasonT1981]

No Typhoon/Lancaster formation planned for RIAT

Where have you seen that? Last year it was the same with the Typhoon and Spitfire that had displayed together elsewhere but didn't at Fairford!

As above, from RIAT Air Ops on UKAR.

[pete310183]

My guess would be that its purely logistical, at the cosford and midlands air festival the teams fly in whereas from RIAT they tend to operate from Fairford, id imagine getting all the assets in the air at the right time and individually for their own displays etc would make scheduling hard work. Just a guess but best i can think of lol

[James Cutting]

Always reminds me of the year that the B-2 flypast was only 1 pass, high, because the Chinook's display overrun (I think it was)

It's a shame, but it isn't always a case of just stick them up and get them flying. I imagine you've got to get the Lanc up, then the Typhoon, do their thing, stick the Typhoon into the hold whilst the Lanc lands, then the Typhoon displays - if it has enough fuel. You've also got to think if the BBMF are doing a display as well....As I can imagine, it's not simple.

It's not unbelievable, really - a shame, but I am sure there's a very valid reasoning.

[thevulcan]

I'm thinking the Italians may be announced this week with possibly some more tankers and maybe USAFE participation.

Seems the USAF F-35A Demo team could be heading over.

[Jameslw1993]

I assumed it's because maybe so much is allocated to the flying display that there simply isn't the time to do it. I doubt the logistics of it trouble DBH. It's nice that the other shows that don't benefit from such a line up that RIAT produces, get the display.

[Malcolm H]

I'm thinking the Italians may be announced this week with possibly some more tankers and maybe USAFE participation.

Seems the USAF F-35A Demo team could be heading over.

Hope so to both!

[Jameslw1993]

What makes you think the F35 team could be heading over?

[James Cutting]

He's notorious for knowing it all so that's why

[reaper493]

They've got a large gap in their schedule. And there are a lot of F35s over here....

I don't think it's a bad shout to be honest.

[James Cutting]

There's always gaps in US schedules, and every year we always say "oooh there's a gap around RIAT so that means..." and add 2+2 and get 40,000.

But we can remain hopeful.

[thevulcan]

The email I received regarding the B52 announcement states that it is the first USAF display suggesting that there will be others and on other forums people have asked the display pilot and she stated that RIAT was on their list as long as everything aligns.

[Richard B]

Normal for the Demo team to take a Bird off the ramp at Lakenheath.
So if the Rumour is correct you will see any sign week prior at the Heath, practice and familiarity flights etc.

[Campbell89]

The email I received regarding the B52 announcement states that it is the first USAF display suggesting that there will be others and on other forums people have asked the display pilot and she stated that RIAT was on their list as long as everything aligns.

Given the tanker theme it could also just be a flypast with an MC-130J refuelling an Osprey or a KC-135 refuelling a fast jet.

[mad dan eccles]

I was planning to head down to Park & View West on the Wednesday and Thursday for arrivals but it appears to have sold out, which i find rather surprising. If that is correct, I doubt that I shall bother, which would be the first time I have missed it since the very first show at North Weald way back when...

[James Cutting]

That sold out a good while ago and was well covered. Still available on the gate, or FRIAT (which I know is a lot)

[James Cutting]

Starting this week's update with another national aerobatic team for the RIAT 2023 flying display! We look forward to welcoming the Saudi Hawks Display Team, flying their seven Hawk jet trainers in an attractive green colour scheme. The team will be flying on all three days of RIAT 2023.

Two additions to the SKYTANKER23 gathering at RIAT 2023, both of which coming in the form of Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. The Royal Saudi Air Force will send one of their tankers, operated by 22 Squadron for static display. In addition, the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit (MMU) will also participate at RIAT. The MMU operate a fleet of A330 MRTT aircraft which are shared between member nations. The plan is for this aircraft to arrive on Friday, and be on static display in the Green Zone on Saturday & Sunday.

In addition to the tankers, this week we also confirm the participation of a CP-140M and CC-130J from the Royal Canadian Air Force, pair of Hawks from the Qatar Emiri Air Force and also a factory fresh Eurofighter Typhoon from BAE Systems, ahead of its delivery to Qatar, in a brilliant camo pattern. We're also very pleased that Bristow Helicopters will be bringing their Dauphin helicopter, used to support Royal Navy FOST operations, for static display at RIAT 2023. Other interesting civilian aircraft joining the participation list include a Top Aces Alpha Jet and two aircraft operated by QinetiQ, flown by the Empire Test Pilots School.

Yesterday we completed our 'Longest Day' where we plan all the arrival slots and aircraft parking plan for RIAT 2023. With more than 250 aircraft due for the show, this is quite the challenge! The Flying Display planning continues and in the coming weeks we plan to update the participation list to highlight which aircraft will fly as part of Friday's flying display.

Finally this week; the previously announced Argentinian Boeing 737 will no longer be participating at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2023.

Nice to see the Saudi Hawks, big shame about the Argentinians.