Riat 2011.

[Flybywyre7875]

I did not bother with RIAT this year........

Simply put, I refuse to line the pockets of the individuals who continue to charge a premium for an Airshow that has been in decline for the last few years.

I have seen a lot of posts giving any one of several reasons why its getting worse....recession, staffing costs, availability etc and so on. Poor excuses all of them.

RIAT must stop advertising it as the worlds largest airshow...it is not and its fraud to keep saying it. Just because you stuff the static display with merry go rounds and other tat which has nothing to do with Aircraft does not make it the worlds largest aircraft display.

The answer is straightforward....either close RIAT down altogether and open a country fair or give the event over to someone who can make it the aircraft paradise it once was and I will happily pay good money for a good product.

[Mayfly]

I confess I was disappointed with last year - not solely down to what took part but the weather on the Sunday curtailed the displays, nothing the organisers could do about that.

I see they are getting a rough time of it on some fora with many saying those that couldn't display in the morning should have been scheduled for the afternoon, but some things really aren't as easy as some perceive them to be and going by some comments believe they are ruled too much by sponsors therefore not catering for the enthusiast, but from what I've seen many enthusiasts would not be happy with whatever they saw.


My major grip as silly as it sounds is the security checks, It takes me ages to pack to make sure I can get all my belongings in a smaller space as possible then I'm expected to rave it all out and shove it back in willy nilly so they can push me through once they have kept me waiting for an hour I think it was last year. Just not that interested in being messed about.

Unless there is some thing out standing in future years I shall limit my participation to the Farnborough years and perhaps only ever other one at that.

[Hydealfred]

From what I can gather the arrival and departure days are better than the actual event itself. A friend of mine went on Friday and was very pleased with what he saw including the full Spartan display. I think next year I will attend on arrivals day. I cant be bothered with the traffic and security I'm afraid.

[Crew chief]

From what I can gather the arrival and departure days are better than the actual event itself. A friend of mine went on Friday and was very pleased with what he saw including the full Spartan display. I think next year I will attend on arrivals day. I cant be bothered with the traffic and security I'm afraid.

Indeed Friday was a good day, £18.50 to get in and no security check and a really relaxed atmosphere and it was non stop action all day.
Best thing is you pay on the day so if the weather is crap stay at home and its cost you nothing.

cc.

[Lucas1860]

Just got back having spent the weekend there. I have to say the show Saturday was really put back, weather can't be messed with, however I am sure that some of the cancelled participants was pants. The security is a total farce, each and every person is scanned. The buying of tickets in advance only is really my gripe. I went knowing the weather would be touch and go, why?, because I had shelled out on two tickets. I'm sure the crowds would be far less if not. Saw XP on the campsite, had a moan together about a number of issues. Photos from the weekend to follow.

Jim.

[Nickolas]

I have to concur.
I have done the last 2 years, doing both days last year.
Have to admit won't be going again soon UNLESS the flying programme sharpens up considerably.
Also the ground attractions.............. If I want to buy general stuff I will go to a market not RIAT.
Aviation related stalls are great, perfume????? WTF has that got to do with RIAT other than selling pitch space???

Will seriously think about arrivals day next year.

security............... got my Swiss army knife in 3 times without getting caught. Buried in my camera bag that was scanned.

[Dee]

Got down to RIAT friday noon, great practices, A10 especially . Saturday woke very early with rain pounding the tent Didnt think we would see any flying but it cleared up lovely. 558 was superb never seen a spiral climb before was brill. The A10 had an issue so was pants on Saturday. Dutch F16 was great as always, Chinnook too, apart from that was pretty poor to be honest. Just sat about drinking as you do

[Hihonyr8811]

I've only done RIAT once, in 2009, and that was only because I was offered a) a bed for two nights and b) my ticket was ordered for me by the people I went with (although I paid for it) as I don't have a credit card.

It would be way too much of a faff to do it every year, not to mention expensive.

I really don't do camping, it's bad enough me going away for a night where I have an actual roof over my head
So that rules that out, and there's no way we'd drive there

The year I went I really enjoyed the displays that year, in particular the F-18s and the Spartan and it was amusing to see the B-52 go out 10 miles to turn and do a couple of circuits , I have a few issues that are personal to me, the toilets were horrendus and I had to walk a mile to find any
We drove straight into the car park, but then had to queue up to actually get through the gates, very odd, although I wasn't searched maybe I smelt bad .

[Xplumberlives]

Got down to RIAT friday noon, great practices, A10 especially . Saturday woke very early with rain pounding the tent Didnt think we would see any flying but it cleared up lovely. 558 was superb never seen a spiral climb before was brill. The A10 had an issue so was pants on Saturday. Dutch F16 was great as always, Chinnook too, apart from that was pretty poor to be honest. Just sat about drinking as you do

Which campsite were you in Dee?

I saw lots of women drinking heavily in Totterdown Hill, one of them might just have been you!