Post all airshow-related items here. Please keep the postings as informative and to-the-point as possible. Refrain from postings with the sole intention to communicate whether you like the show or not, unless accompanied by arguments that can help others.
SPANISH AIR FORCE
AIRCRAFT TYPE SQUADRON/UNIT THEME ROLE NEW
NORTHROP SF-5M FREEDOM FIGHTER
-NEW ALA 23 NATO 75 S NEW
CZECH AIR FORCE
AIRCRAFT TYPE SQUADRON/UNIT THEME ROLE NEW
AERO VODOCHODY L-159 ALCA
-NEW 212 TACTICKA LETKA NATO 75 S NEW
SAAB JAS-39C GRIPEN
-NEW 211 TACTICKA LETKA NATO 75 F NEW
LEONARDO AW139
-NEW BRISTOW HELICOPTERS S NEW
LEONARDO AW189
-NEW BRISTOW HELICOPTERS S NEW
SIKORSKY S-92A
-NEW BRISTOW HELICOPTERS S NEW
A real highlight for aviation enthusiasts to kick-off this week's update,
with a pair of SF-5M Freedom Fighters
from the Spanish Air Force!
These jets are used during the training of new fast jet pilots in Spain, from their home base atn Badajoz Air Base.
We're delighted to have them return to RIAT as part of our NATO 75th Anniversary theme.
Update for today (29-2): Finnish Midnight Hawks for the flying display and a (civilian) Turbo Firecat for static. And a former Qinetiq Gazelle, also static.
Finally, and perhaps most exciting,
for 2024 the F-35B will be performing a 'Role Demonstration' lasting around 10 minutes,
rather than just the flypasts we've been used to seeing in recent years.
This Role Demonstration will be performed on Saturday & Sunday and should include high speed and low speed passes, minimum radius turns, opening of the internal weapon bays and hovering.
Also this week, we're pleased that QinetiQ are supporting our 'Pushing the Boundaries in Air & Space' theme in spectacular fashion with seven examples of their fleet used by the Empire Test Pilots School due for static display.
This week has had a very nordic feel in our office,
as we have been in communication with the
Royal Danish Air Force, Royal Norwegian Air Force and Swedish Air Force
about which aircraft types they hope to send to RIAT 2024.
We should be able to announce some of their contributions to the show next week...
ROYAL DANISH AIR FORCE
AIRCRAFT TYPE SQUADRON/UNIT THEME ROLE NEW
GENERAL DYNAMIC F-16AM FIGHTING FALCON
-NEW ESKADRILLE 727 50 YEARS F-16 F NEW
GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16BM FIGHTING FALCON
-NEW ESKADRILLE 727 50 YEARS F-16 S NEW
BOMBARDIER CL-604 CHALLENGER
-NEW ESKADRILLE 721 NATO 75 S NEW
...only the Danes this week...
In addition to the F-16s, the Royal Danish Air Force will also be sending one of their CL-604 Challenger aircraft for static display,
In addition to the flying jet, they will also bring at least one F-16 to join our static displays.
As part of our theme celebrating 50 years of the F-16, supported by Lockheed Martin,
our plan for all the static F-16s coming to RIAT 2024 is
for them to be parked in a long line together,
located at the western end of the showground in the Green Zone.
Starting this week with the return of a popular flying display, from NATO's newest member!
The Swedish Air Force will return to RIAT with their SAAB JAS-39C Gripen to perform in the flying display,
and in addition they'll bring a JAS-39D Gripen for the static display.
Another returning aircraft will be the NH90 TTH of the German Army, appearing in both the flying and static displays, as part of our NATO 75th Anniversary theme.
A rare addition to the static displays comes in the form of a Bréguet Alizé. Now operated in civilian hands, the type flew with the French Navy for many years in the anti-submarine warfare role.
Finally this week, sadly Bristow Helicopters have informed us that they'll no longer be able to send their AW189 to RIAT this year,
but still plan to participate with their two other helicopters.
GERMAN ARMY
NH90 TTH TRSPHUBSCHRRGT 10 NATO 75 F/S
SWEDISH AIR FORCE
SAAB JAS-39C GRIPEN
F21 LULEÅ NATO 75 F
SAAB JAS-39D GRIPEN
F21 LULEÅ NATO 75 S
NOT PARTICIPATING AIR ARMS
CYPRUS AIR COMMAND,
EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE,
FRENCH ARMY,
GERMAN NAVY,
ITALIAN ARMY,
ITALIAN NAVY,
JAPAN AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE,
JAPAN MARITIME SELF-DEFENSE FORCE,
ROYAL MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE,
ROYAL AIR FORCE OF OMAN
alongside the modern day RCAF assets coming to RIAT 2024 on static display. We've had a number of great planning meetings with our Canadian friends already,
and we hope to be able to announce their static aircraft participation next month,
in addition to the previously announced CF-188 in the flying display.
This week we've heard from a number of American units,
from the Air Force, Army & Navy,
who may be able to participate with their aircraft at RIAT 2024.
Their approval process to participate at RIAT well underway,
however it's likely we won't be able to publicly confirm their participation
until much closer to the show.
Further flying display additions this week come from Germany,
who continue their fantastic annual support to RIAT,
with an assortment of interesting aircraft committed to this year's show as part of the NATO 75th Anniversary celebrations.
In the flying display, we're excited to see solo displays from their Eurofighter and A400M for the first time.
On the ground they'll be exhibiting their impressive
CH-53G helicopter,
a Tornado from Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 ""Immelmann"" (who are hosting this year's NATO Tiger Meet, so fingers crossed for a specially painted jet) and for the first time their
Airbus A319 aircraft which is specially modified for Open Skies missions.
Finally, as part of our 'Pushing the Boundaries' theme we're very pleased that the Germany's special flight test centre, WTD 61, will also be providing a Tornado for static display.
...Patrouille Suisse was already self-confirmed, indeed.
A RIAT tradition, we will have the excellent Royal Jordanian Falcons performing in the flying display with their Extra 330LX aircraft.
In addition, we'll be welcoming one of their Hercules for static display.
Of note for enthusiasts, their current intent is to bring one of their newly acquired ex-USAF airframes.
Finally, we're extremely excited that the
Royal Jordanian Air Force will be sending a pair of their F-16 Fighting Falcons
to RIAT for the first time,
to join the type's 50th anniversary celebrations!
The current plan is that they will send one single-seat and one twin-seat jet to join the Viper Line on static display, visible on Saturday & Sunday.
Another fast jet for the flying display next,
with the Hungarian Air Force sending their JAS-39C Gripen.
This is always an impressive display sequence, and previous award winner, so a display not to be missed.
With the Qatar Emiri Air Force
marking their 50th Anniversary this year,
we're pleased to be welcoming an interesting array of their aircraft to RIAT 2024.
The centrepiece of their static display area will be their C-17 Globemaster,
which will be joined by a Hawk (from RAF Leeming),
Typhoon (from BAE Systems at Warton) and
NH90 NFH (being transported via C-17 to the UK for RIAT).
We also hope to have an additional Typhoon from 12 Squadron (the joint RAF/Qatari squadron at RAF Coningsby)
to join this static display, confirmation of which is expected at a later date.
Belgium
GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16AM FIGHTING FALCON 10TH TACTICAL WING S
AERO VODOCHODY L-159E Draken S
DASSAULT FALCON 20 DRAKEN S
TURKISH AIR FORCE
LOCKHEED MARTIN F-16C FIGHTING FALCON
SOLOTÜRK DEMO TEAM F
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F-4E PHANTOM II (X2) 111 FILO S
Also this week, we have received information from Joint Helicopter Command
that they plan to send a number of aircraft to RIAT 2024,
including a Chinook to perform a ""capability demonstration"" in the flying display.
However, we await further details and formal confirmation before we can add to the participation list.
We hope to receive the required paperwork for this,
and other British military helicopters,
in the coming weeks.
/reeve.gif)
