Royal International Air Tattoo 2023 General Discussion Thread

[Blackcat1]

I've just watched the video of the B-52H destroying many runway lights as it crabbed back up the runway with a crew person waving from the cockpit window blissflully unaware! Outrigger wheel looked like it was swivelling too - perhaps broken?! Or by design who knows.

Perhaps the B-52 pilot was tired from the 2hr circular holding pattern.

Either way a trip to screwfix is required.

Thats class!!

[Campbell89]

Have the trophy winners for 2023 been announced? Interested to see who won what.

[Steven]

I've been searching Twitter and so far found that it appears the Gripen E from SAAB won the Paul Bowen Trophy (Best Solo Jet Demonstration) and the SK.60 won the King Hussein Memorial Sword (Best Overall Flying Demonstration).

Can't find any others though, so far. And these I did find aren't confirmed by RIAT officially.

[red leader]

Did anyone see a U2 land?

[Mike]

80-1079 returned at around 17.15 :- viewtopic.php?f=8&t=234480&p=1524543#p1524543

[red leader]

80-1079 returned at around 17.15 :- viewtopic.php?f=8&t=234480&p=1524543#p1524543

Thanks for the link.

[slogen51]

Departure day went very smoothly for me - left home at 4:45am and was at Fairford by 8am and walked along the south side by the Whelford road to see what I could see in case stuff doesn't depart. Then at about 8:30am headed over to park and view west and drove straight in and no queue to pay and no security queue ( I only had bins and a camera plus notebook in my pocket)

It wasn't that busy compared to some years maybe because they were on 27 and I easily got a spot at the fence line although it is not necessary to be at the fence as obviously stuff is in the air at varying heights departing past PV west.

I personally thought £28 was a very unsympathetic price given that there is a cost of living crisis etc. I didn't notice any police or traffic restrictions on Monday therefore I assume RIAT are not paying for a large police presence so I was disappointed at the pay on the day price of £28 which I think is literally extortionate - they could argue you are not been forced to pay the price but they know full well I will pay which is slightly unpleasant.

To be honest if you just want numbers then you will see everything depart from outside.

Nonetheless it was an enjoyable stress free day so you could say £20-£28 once a year so what?

For next year I think I will book a departure day ticket and save roughly £10 on the day.

[Tally-ho]

Friday ... As for the rain it started from when i got out of the car, to when i left at 13.30. I did not bother taking pictures the weather was just so bad,i had on a shower proof jacket which failed due to the amount of rain..I was soaked to the skin ,my trainers acting like a sponge.And the brolly was turning me into Mary Poppins !

Saturday ... and again i was soaked to the skin.

This morning i booked tickets for fri/sat 2024 i cant wait.

A clip of your experience which was a good read. And you've already booked for next year - dedication!

[CHESTER_DRAWERS]

Departure day went very smoothly for me - left home at 4:45am and was at Fairford by 8am and walked along the south side by the Whelford road to see what I could see in case stuff doesn't depart. Then at about 8:30am headed over to park and view west and drove straight in and no queue to pay and no security queue ( I only had bins and a camera plus notebook in my pocket)

It wasn't that busy compared to some years maybe because they were on 27 and I easily got a spot at the fence line although it is not necessary to be at the fence as obviously stuff is in the air at varying heights departing past PV west.

I personally thought £28 was a very unsympathetic price given that there is a cost of living crisis etc. I didn't notice any police or traffic restrictions on Monday therefore I assume RIAT are not paying for a large police presence so I was disappointed at the pay on the day price of £28 which I think is literally extortionate - they could argue you are not been forced to pay the price but they know full well I will pay which is slightly unpleasant.

To be honest if you just want numbers then you will see everything depart from outside.

Nonetheless it was an enjoyable stress free day so you could say £20-£28 once a year so what?

For next year I think I will book a departure day ticket and save roughly £10 on the day.

Thank you for your updates throughout the day ... much appreciated

[slogen51]

I didn't do much to be honest as the departures were coming thick and fast and are covered on YouTube I guess

[seven]

My two cents.

I'll begin with the weather. All the geniuses that were 'hoping it isn't as hot as it was last year', happy now? How many displays/participants cancelled last year due to weather? Hmmmm.
Now, RIAT itself. Reasonable start I thought. Organisation seemed good, up until I think it was the Luftwaffe set, when for reasons unknown they departed into the hold, just as a particularly nasty weather front put paid to that(probably would have been the highlight of the day at least for me), yet just as they are coming in it clears up for them to do a break to land and then we carry on. Repeat for the Jordanians and the B-52/KC-135. Is there no access to weather radars at Fairford or do you just ignore them?
EDIT, also, the B-52 and the MC-130/CV-22 that were holding aimlessly for their slots (it has been said why with the B-52), Flying Legends was also on, just saying..
Security. (Insert any clip of Gordon Ramsey critique here) I understand it had to be done, I mean, after an incident 6 years ago and 4 faultless RIATs since.. We all saw how the queues were grouped waiting for the gates to open. Now how does that take lessons of said incident into account? Despite leaving an hour earlier this year we got in an hour later. And 100% bag checks my anus. 4 entries, 1 bag check.
The cost. Alot of people say RIAT is expensive. It's a lot of money yes, but its very good value. I cannot think of anywhere else where you can get a full day of entertainment for that a similar price. The food prices however, the missus saw one place selling bacon rolls for £10, so looked around and got me a bacon and egg roll for £7.50, what happened to the RIAT pricelist!?
That was a pretty good roll BTW, even if she did forget the brown sauce.
The static, not sure of the layout facing the other way. Doesn't solve the problems of background clutter for photography, so don't see the point..
My boss was happy though as he had access to the van for restocking, which wasn't available before apparently when they were the other side(red zone). The green zone seemed pretty well laid out. Although IMO the placing of the tanker/receiver exhibits weren't the best. Nice idea, but nothing more than that.
Got to give a mention to the Saudi's, their hospitality was incredible. Maybe the Jordanians are similar, I must admit in all my years I've never visited them!
A massive Kudos to all those who flew in some pretty nasty weather this weekend(refer to opening statement for who's to blame there), especially the Saudi team on Friday. Another mention to the people who thought last year was too hot...
Participation, despite people's mornings I thought it was good. I'd struggle to think of the F-35/Harrier being topped anywhere. And watching the Me262 was incredible, even if the commentator insisted on continuing to call it metwosixtwo! Again mate, no one says sue-27. Is S-U and always will be. Shame about the second Phantom, but it was great seeing the one, talking to the crew, and getting some merch. They said they'd like to be back, but that was before Monday
The C-27s. The Zambian, Lithuanian and Jedi all cancelled, and the flying one was moved into static, yet there is no fleetwide issues apparently. Maybe the cynical me is too so? Still it departed fine on Monday. The Danish didn't send a spare F-16, and were the only ones with a technical issue (apart from the B-52)..
The third EAV-8, someone mentioned a callsign was allocated.. Testicles?
The E-6B asked for Fairford weather, and was never heard from again. Almost comical that. (I'm guessing it's appearance at Prestwick yesterday gave a clue as to why RIAT had a chance at having one). Also a mention to watching the CP-140 on FR24 departing Newquay whilst sat in the west end P&V.

Thankyou to all those who without their time and dedication, RIAT just wouldn't be possible. And to all those who participated, many without reciprocation from us!

[seven]

Was it ever said why the Meteor didn't fly?

[Andy Marden]

The static, not sure of the layout facing the other way. Doesn't solve the problems of background clutter for photography, so don't see the point..

Can you clarify what you mean by this please?

[seven]

Red zone, instead of facing the runway as before, most were positioned facing south.

[markranger]

Interesting,Aircraft damage says substantial.

Al Fursan

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/318176

[slogen51]

Engine failure scary stuff! Thankfully it seems their professionalism and skill enabled them to divert and hopefully they walked away from the landing free from injury.

[Blackcat1]

Engine failure scary stuff! Thankfully it seems their professionalism and skill enabled them to divert and hopefully they walked away from the landing free from injury.

Any ideas why they arrived back just before the Phantom? We’re they denied permission through French airspace as well? Sorry if I’ve missed it further up in the thread .

[slogen51]

Right I am going to express an opinion or perhaps it's more of a wish so I am ready to be shot down in flames

When 27 is in use I think aircraft parked near the west side of the airfield should be instructed to cross the runway opposite the west P&V - cross at Bravo I believe it would be. To be fair quite a few aircraft did cross at Bravo however the Polish fitter and the Spanish matadors whom were all within easy reach of PV west were both instructed to turn east and cross at Charlie - the mid point which is of no use to anyone.

Considering there are paying punters in PV west I think they should expect more consideration when taxy instructions are issued. It seems like a case of it's more expedient to get the aircraft out and the paying ( £20-28) spectators don't matter. No crowds no airshow.

A big thumbs up to many of the aircrew who put on a bit of 'show' as they departed. That is not down to RIAT but instead to the awareness of aircrew who appreciate that folk are there to see their incredible flying machines - RIAT are in danger of erasing the magic of an airshow and replacing it with hard nosed pragmatism.

Edit - there isn't a northern taxyway opposite PV west so aircraft are waiting to back taxy which isn't ideal when there are aircraft at the holding point waiting to depart - so my rant above is unfair to RIAT - sorry

[seven]

There's nowhere to cross to at bravo, you'll be in the grass! Also, exiting at Charlie North is only possible to aircraft of a certain wingspan, due to the building work on the new hangars using up some of the taxiway. Hence why anything larger than a Herc tended to back track.
I must admit that line-up of the Harriers, Dutch F-35s and F-16s with the Belgian F-16 was awesome. Can't imagine the pilots were too impressed with the time they were waiting though, same with the NATO MRTT.

[Red-Eye-Knight]

Right I am going to express an opinion or perhaps it's more of a wish so I am ready to be shot down in flames

When 27 is in use I think aircraft parked near the west side of the airfield should be instructed to cross the runway opposite the west P&V - cross at Bravo I believe it would be. To be fair quite a few aircraft did cross at Bravo however the Polish fitter and the Spanish matadors whom were all within easy reach of PV west were both instructed to turn east and cross at Charlie - the mid point which is of no use to anyone.

Considering there are paying punters in PV west I think they should expect more consideration when taxy instructions are issued. It seems like a case of it's more expedient to get the aircraft out and the paying ( £20-28) spectators don't matter. No crowds no airshow.

A big thumbs up to many of the aircrew who put on a bit of 'show' as they departed. That is not down to RIAT but instead to the awareness of aircrew who appreciate that folk are there to see their incredible flying machines - RIAT are in danger of erasing the magic of an airshow and replacing it with hard nosed pragmatism.

What you want and what you get are 2 different things.