2024 Royal International Air Tattoo

[Flightline Uk]

Starting this week's aircraft update with a huge contribution to our 'Viper Line' from the Royal Netherlands Air Force. As this will be the last time we'll see their F-16AM Fighting Falcons as RIAT (as they're retiring from service later this year), we're very pleased that they'll be sending us four jets for static display, which is a fantastic contribution to our celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the F-16. In addition, from the Netherlands, their NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter will also be returning for static display.

This week we can also unveil the first of our Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft coming for static display; a CC-295 Kingfisher! This is the first time we've seen this aircraft coming to RIAT and with it's bright yellow colour scheme, it'll be hard to miss. Next week we should be able to add the rest of the Canadian contributions to RIAT to the website and give you more detail on the planned theme ground display marking their Centennial.

Final confirmation for this week comes from the Slovak Air Force, who'll be sending one of their C-27J Spartan transport aircraft for static display, joining the NATO 75th Anniversary line-up.

In addition this week we've continued discussion with a variety of European Air Arms who've informed us about the aircraft they intend to send to RIAT 2024. As ever; more news in the coming weeks!

[Flightline Uk]

https://www.air-shows.org.uk/2024/05/ai ... team-2024/

[Flightline Uk]

Opening this week's #TakeoffThursday with the exciting news that we'll be welcoming an aircraft from a new nation for RIAT 2024. For the very first time we've got an aircraft from the Serbian Armed Forces attending the Air Tattoo, with their new Airbus C295MW aircraft coming for static display at this year's show. A warm welcome awaits the Serbian crew at RAF Fairford in July, as the 58th nation to participate at the Air Tattoo.

We can now announce the participation of three Canadian heavyweights which will be static display at RIAT 2024. The CC-130J Hercules, CC-177 Globemaster and CC-150 Polaris will all be parked together at the eastern end of the static line, alongside the previous announced Canadian assets, to form a RCAF100 themed area; this will include other ground displays from Canada surrounding the aircraft. A sincere thanks to our Canadian friends for their excellent support to RIAT this year. Of note; this could be the last time we see their Polaris at RIAT, and therefore the last visit of an Airbus A310 to RAF Fairford, so one for the enthusiasts to ensure they enjoy come July.

The Royal Air Force have confirmed a plethora of training aircraft for static display at RIAT 2024: Tutor, Prefect, Texan, Hawk, Phenom, Juno & Jupiter. Some of these aircraft will be parked in the centre of the showground in a showcase exhibition of Ascent Flying Training (the organisation who deliver flying training to pilots and aircrew within the UK Military Flight Training System), and the other aircraft will be parked close to the RAF Experience area. We hope to confirm further contributions to the static display from the Royal Air Force in the coming weeks.

This week work continues with various aircraft operators, working to finalise arrangements for their aircraft's attendance at RIAT. It's worth noting that whilst the updates published in recent weeks have been mainly static display aircraft, there are plenty more aircraft lined-up for the flying display. However we are unable to announce many of these yet, until we get the proper approvals in place to ensure their participation is confirmed.

[Flightline Uk]

Starting this week with more F-16s for our 'Viper Line' static display as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the type at RIAT 2024! We're very excited to be welcoming a pair of F-16s from Portugal to RIAT; the first time since 2006 we've seen their jets at the show. In addition to the Vipers, the Portuguese Air Force is also sending their new Embraer KC-390 transport aircraft to RIAT for the first time, for static display. Obrigado!

The Lithuanian Air Force will send a pair of aircraft to RIAT to join our NATO 75th Anniversary celebrations, both on static display. We're very excited to see their Mi-8 Hip helicopter coming across to RIAT for the first time in many years. In addition, they'll also send their C-27J Spartan.

Two interesting civilian aircraft added to the static display this week; a Finnish Vinka and Yugoslavian Kraguj. Both aircraft are now operated by private owners who'll be flying them to Fairford in July. The Vinka will be on static display as our memorial tribute to Perttu Karivalo, former member of the RIAT Flying Display Team and European Airshow Council Board member, who passed away in October.

The final addition to the static display this week, another C-17 Globemaster! This jet is coming from the multinational Heavy Airlift Wing, part of Strategic Airlift Capability based at Pápa Air Base in Hungary. The crew plan to have the aircraft open and available for tours throughout the weekend.

Also this week, we've continued our discussions with the Royal Navy, and Joint Helicopter Command, and are awaiting their formal confirmations of participation at RIAT. In addition, members of our team have this week attended a briefing to the Defence Attaché community in London on plans for RIAT 2024, and a number of fruitful conversations had to try and seek final confirmations of their nations' participating aircraft.

[Flightline Uk]

https://www.air-shows.org.uk/2024/05/ai ... ates-2024/

[Flightline Uk]

Three flying display additions to kick-off this week's update, courtesy of the Italian Air Force! At RIAT 2024 we're pleased to have their F-2000A Typhoon, C-27J Spartan and T-346A Master all performing in the flying display. These displays are very relevant for our 'Pushing the Boundaries' theme highlighting flight test and evaluation, as the 'Reparto Sperimentale di Volo' are the Italian Air Force's flight test unit. The Italian Air Force hope to also provide aircraft for static display, confirmation of which should follow in the coming weeks.

Another week, and more F-16s to join the special 'Viper Line' static display as we mark the aircraft's 50th anniversary! This week we're very pleased to confirm the attendance of Romanian Air Force who are sending their F-16AM Fighting Falcons to RIAT for the first time. These jets wear an attractive camouflage pattern to add a splash of colour to the growing line of F-16s from many operators which will be a unique sight at RIAT 2024. In addition, we'll also see a C-27J Spartan on static display from Romania.

This week we can also add a trio of Royal Air Force Typhoons to our static display. Firstly, as part of our 'Pushing the Boundaries' theme 41 Squadron will participate with their aircraft which is used for trials and development. Secondly, 12 Squadron will send one of their jets which will be parked alongside the previously confirmed Qatar Emiri Air Force assets. Finally, the static Typhoon to be parked near the RAF Experience (at the eastern end of the showground) will be coming from II(AC) Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth.

In addition this week we've had an update from our counterparts in the United States Air Force. The process for approving their participation at RIAT 2024 is well underway, and they are planning to send a number of aircraft for static display at RIAT 2024, including assets such as their C-17 Globemaster, KC-46 Pegasus, F-16 Fighting Falcon and a selection of other aircraft. However, until all the paperwork is approved, we will not be adding them to our confirmed aircraft list.

[Flightline Uk]

[Flightline Uk]

Starting this week's update with the return of the Royal Navy Black Cats to RIAT! The helicopter display team, flying a pair of Wildcat helicopters will be returning to the skies over RAF Fairford after a lengthy hiatus and will be flying every day at the show. In addition, the Royal Navy will also contribute a pair of Merlin HM.2 for static display, with the plan for one of the helicopters to be equipped with the Crowsnest airborne radar system.

Continuing the nautical theme, we will have the Royal Air Force's maritime patrol aircraft, the Poseidon, on static display again. This will be parked near the RAF Experience, at the eastern end of the showground. We will also have a classic naval fighter on static display with the debut appearance of Flying Legend's new F4U Corsair. This airframe, known as 'Devotion' is the last airworthy Corsair which flew in the Korean War, serving with VMF-513. Flying Legends GmbH will also bring their P-51D Mustang ""Frances Dell"" for static display too.

We're pleased the Polish Air Force are the latest F-16 operator to confirm their participation at RIAT 2024. In the flying display, their 'Tiger Demo Team' will showcase the Block 52 variant of the F-16, equipped with conformal fuel tanks. This display hasn't been seen in the UK since 2018, so we're excited to welcome them back to RIAT this summer. In additional, they'll also be bringing a F-16D for our 'Viper Line' static display, which should also be equipped with conformal fuel tanks. The Polish F-16s will be supported by a C-130 Hercules, which we hope will be remaining at RAF Fairford over the show weekend for static display. We will keep you updated about this and other planned support aircraft in the coming weeks.

Following on from our recent confirmations from the Royal Canadian Air Force, we can now announce a final addition to their static display area. As part of their centennial celebrations, and also part of our Flight Test theme, we're very pleased that a CH-146 Griffon helicopter from their Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment will be on static display at RIAT 2024! This helicopter will be transported to RIAT in their CC-177. We had a very successful planning meeting with our Canadian counterparts last week, and their ground displays surrounding their aircraft are not to be missed in July. We'll have the RCAF Band playing musical pieces alongside their aircraft, a marquee containing various Canadian cultural displays, and your chance to meet their centennial mascot 'Astra'.

Contrary to reports online, the Polish Land Forces will sadly not be participating with their new Leonardo AW149 helicopter at RIAT 2024.