Royal International Air Tattoo 2004, RAF Fairford 
17th-18th July 2004

Part One: More Than Just an Airshow!

If there's one airshow that captures the minds of all aviation enthusiasts throughout the UK it's RIAT. You can garanttee that all will have an opinion on it. Why? It's the biggest military airshow to be held in the UK and Europe (if not the world) and attracts participants from around the world that simply aren't seen anywhere else, certainly not together). Therefore, you have to get it right or the backlash is huge as RIAT learnt in 2002. 2004 was an important year, while it wasn't perceived as a critical make or break year, the success of the show would have a profound effect in future events. Did they get it right? Paul Johnson/Flightline UK reports. All photography by the author.

There's no doubt RIAT 2003 was a huge success, even without taking into account the troubled 2002 event. Everything in 2003 ran relatively smoothly including the traffic and security arrangements. However, many point to smaller crowd in 2003 that made things easier. There's no doubt that part of the reason for the smaller crowd was a result of 2002's experience and that the positive press of the 2003 would encourage some of those who missed 2003 to return. Other reasons for the small crowd included a clash with the British Grand Prix at Silverstone which was avioded this year. Thankfully for RIAT crowd numbers increased over 5% compared with 2003 and this was enough for RIAT to declare it's future safe to the media on the Monday after the show. Tim Price, Director RIAT, commented "For the most part, the weather was exceptional, the flying was incredible and the atmosphere electric. There were few problems with the traffic, the attendance figures were up on 2003 and we had wonderful range of aircraft on display."

Also judged a major success for RIAT was the second "Armed Forces Youth Day" on the Friday. Some 20,000 youngsters from around the country descended on Fairford for one of the MoD's major recruitment exercises. Despite persistant rain and the subsequent curtailing of the flying program it was judged another raoring success with simulators and chances for the crowd to meet the three services personnel and equipment.

So RIAT 2004 can be classed as a success on business and for the MOD, it's certainly pleased it's organisers, what what about the public and the enthusiasts?

Looking at the usual message boards on the internet and some of the early reviews it certainly seems to have satisfied the vast majority of attendees. Flightline UK hasn't yet received one email of complaint as yet so something must have gone right. However one thing always seems crop up year in year out: Value for Money. Advance tickets were sold for £29.95 for most of the year, though early buyers got their for £24.95. On the gate tickets sold for £35. Children under 16 were free. RIAT sees it's major competition from other major events such as the British Grand Prix as well as the major theme parks.

A quick price comparison with these is very favourable to RIAT. There aren't too many events where an 8 hour flying display, 2 hour top class concert and 2 mile long showground is available for under £60 in advance for a typical family of four nowadays. In comparison with the other major military shows with similar length flying displays of course RIAT at first would seem to be much more expensive. However, it should be remembe that these shows are often much more heavily supported by the RAF in terms of operational and insurance costs whereas RIAT has to be self sufficent through sponsorship and normal income.

 However, one item that does sping to mind is the official programme. Is it really worth £7.50? It is a very nice publication, infact one of the best airshow programmes produced, but somehow a value over £6 seems a bit too steep, espeacially considering a large proportion of the publication is given over to promoting sponsors and pages containing the static aircraft information are often out of date by a few days - note the inclusion of cancalled F-104s.

The actual event for the public though was excellent. Though the tattoo, like most other shows this year, was hit by a large amount of cancellations such as Italian F-104s and the US Navy's official F/A-18C demonstration team the show still offered much other shows this year simply couldn'tn with a varied selection of themes. The sheer presence of the United States at this year's event being highly noteworthy, espeacially when compared with their complete non-appearance at the RAF Waddington show three weeks earlier. Though their unwillingness to present their front line bomber and strike aircraft in anything other that high flat flypasts remains frustrating for the more avid enthusiasts. We will examine the themes and participation in more detail in subsequent parts.

The traffic situation into and out of Fairford was once again a relatively smooth affair. The traffic planning is now well established and the added Park and Ride only eases the situation. The only major headache over the weekend being a broken down bus on the purple route away from Fairford which subsequently closed the route which is often a relief route for the busy blue route. Sunday saw much of the same but the green and red routes seemed busier than the previous day, perhaps due to the difference in weather forecasts between the two days - Sunday being much busier.

Overall then, this may have not been the best RIAT. More importantly it was a long way from being a bad RIAT too. It's been a difficult year for RIAT with the loss of it's director Paul Bowen, but they have trimuphed to produce a highly enjoyable Tattoo. Tim Prince commented "It amazes me how each year volunteers, participants, sponsors and permanent staff pull together to create what is Europe’s largest airshow but this year, more than ever, everyone was determined to ensure it was a success – for Paul [Bowen]." With a recent straw poll on the UKAR Airshows Message Board pointing to 94% of attendees certainly planning on attending RIAT 2005, the 2004 must be hailed an overall success.

 copyright Flightline UK 2004