Paul, Tim - Gentlemen,
I was at RIAT (again) this year, but sadly it will be my last visit.
I was so disapointed with virtually everything there.
It was laid out poorly, the flying was poor, the lack of facilities were deplorable, the cost was too high plus the lack of toilets, rubbish bins blah.
All I could see were lots of aircraft (some very interesting ones) that were roped off with miles of blue rope. Why were they not roped off individually? to allow us to walk through them, and get to other areas instead of having to walk miles to get anywhere??
The 100 years of flight was great, (and the tribute to the Navy Firefly crew was a very nice touch) but why were we not able to get across to the trade sites on the far side of the taxi way when we came out of the 100 yrs exit? If we wanted to get over there, we would have had to walk literally miles!
Very poor RIAT - sorry. Prices were too high, and the time and distance to and from the car parks were a joke.
You will have to pull your finger out to get the public back, although this years' poor attendance pretty much says it all.
Finally, why is it that RIAT gives such a paltry sum to the Ben fund each year compared to say...em Waddo or Leuchars??
Could it be the overheads? or maybe the whole thing is a bit too 'top heavy' with retired airships?? Maybe it's the cost of all those post airshow parties? the ones the aircrew and groundcrew are NOT invited to?? Infact, why don't you publish some of the accounts here on PPrune ??
End of rant, night night
Best wishes
The Swinging Monkey
'Caruthers, please cross RIAT off next years airshow list, there's a good chap!'