Vulcan NOT appearing at RIAT 2014
I hope the organisers of RIAT become aware of this thread and the strength of feeling about XH558.
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I'm looking forward to the Lightning doing an energetic QRA takeoff ... rotating at the end of the runway and departing vertical on a full AB plume ... levelling off at FL Nose Bleed ... then returning for a few very Fast Passes with plenty of G in the horizontal turns ... followed by some nice Inverted Flight down the runway CL. Forget car alarms ... I trust we'll have plenty of local structural damage ... greenhouses getting airborne and enough noise to clear the earwax out of the anti-mil-low-flying NIMBY community.
Oops ... just checked the RIAT website ... thats the LM Lightning not the EE Lightning ... yet another disappointment then
Oops ... just checked the RIAT website ... thats the LM Lightning not the EE Lightning ... yet another disappointment then
No great loss, lurching around the sky with great boots of rudder. Rather see something flying aerodynamically.
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so, the doom bringing tin triangle isnt displaying at RIAT.....
GOOD
it saves a few extremely precious flying hours that might mean it is still able to do something when my wee monster will appreciate it.
although saying that, Plymouth armed forces day has the RAF displaying the.....
wait for it......
Tutor
Has someone in charge been toking on a crack pipe????
A tutor, FFS.
I know I don't pay much taxes but what I do pay I want VFM, where is my tiffin?
But if they were to bring 558 down here for a display over the sound - I would wager an awful lot of the viewing spots would be full to bursting.
GOOD
it saves a few extremely precious flying hours that might mean it is still able to do something when my wee monster will appreciate it.
although saying that, Plymouth armed forces day has the RAF displaying the.....
wait for it......
Tutor
Has someone in charge been toking on a crack pipe????
A tutor, FFS.
I know I don't pay much taxes but what I do pay I want VFM, where is my tiffin?
But if they were to bring 558 down here for a display over the sound - I would wager an awful lot of the viewing spots would be full to bursting.
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RIAT reply
RIAT have offered the following statement about the decision to not have the Vulcan displaying.
Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises - News: Vulcan Statement
Personally, I agree with them. Whilst the Vulcan is great, and the team have done a great job getting it flying again, they and their supporters should realise there are other aircraft out there and the display world doesn't (rightly) revolve entirely around XH558.
DF
(standing by for incoming...)
Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises - News: Vulcan Statement
Personally, I agree with them. Whilst the Vulcan is great, and the team have done a great job getting it flying again, they and their supporters should realise there are other aircraft out there and the display world doesn't (rightly) revolve entirely around XH558.
DF
(standing by for incoming...)
We briefed our plans to mark the 50th anniversary of the Red Arrows Display Season, a momentous occasion for our Royal Air Force, which meant in all probability that the full scope of the operational aprons at the eastern end of the airfield would be filled with both the Reds and all the international aerobatic teams that we had invited for this celebration.
I hope that the feedback the RIAT organisers have experienced will make the point that 'no Vulcan = no airshow' for many.
But there'll be the usual crop of C-130s and F-16s, of course. F-35B will doubtless be hidden in its hangar surrounded by goons with guns when not displaying....
Has RIAT had its day?
Will the RAF be showing Voyager, Sentinel or the RC-135?
Not bothered either way personally, but the "duty of care" argument seems a bit thin - just cannot see air show enthusiast being objectionable to Pleming's team
There was a story on ukar back in 2009 I believe about how the Vulcan cancelled, on either one of the two days, at the Biggin Hill Air Fair, some character pitched up at the Vulcan to the Sky stand and enquired about its absence from the day's flying in a rather blunt and misinformed manner. I believe the chap had previously imbibed, a copious amount as well, going by the witness report.
FB
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devon
It's not about the Vulcan itself and I agree and the display world doesn't (rightly) revolve entirely around XH558.
It's about the whole package and having a great, loud, smokey bomber from days past is just one of the experiences that can't be supplanted by something else. IMHO, the Vulcan is awe inspiring.
Yes, I have seen the Vulcan fly, and the Lancaster and the Spitfire and Hurricane and a whole load of modern jet aircraft.
It's not about the Vulcan itself and I agree and the display world doesn't (rightly) revolve entirely around XH558.
It's about the whole package and having a great, loud, smokey bomber from days past is just one of the experiences that can't be supplanted by something else. IMHO, the Vulcan is awe inspiring.
Yes, I have seen the Vulcan fly, and the Lancaster and the Spitfire and Hurricane and a whole load of modern jet aircraft.
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500N
I guess my point was if RIAT had decided that the theme of the year was celebrating a rotary flight achievement or milestone would it still be essential to have XH558 attend to 'complete the package'?
If it's essential for the Vulcan to be there to complete someone's airshow experience there will be plenty of other opportunities in the year around the UK. We are after all lucky to have it flying in our country and a good spread of air shows and events across the country through the year.
I guess my point was if RIAT had decided that the theme of the year was celebrating a rotary flight achievement or milestone would it still be essential to have XH558 attend to 'complete the package'?
If it's essential for the Vulcan to be there to complete someone's airshow experience there will be plenty of other opportunities in the year around the UK. We are after all lucky to have it flying in our country and a good spread of air shows and events across the country through the year.
Beagle,
RIAT is probably, along with Waddington and to some extent Yeovilton the only three airshows worth a candle in terms of military contribution in the U.K. these days. A lot due to the simple contraction of the R.A.F. (no more Leuchars). On top of the contraction of the service, there is the added problem of PFI. I believe it is a part of the contractual obligation that aircraft leased to the Armed Forces don't get aerobated around for public entertainment and suspect that this why at Culdrose this year, as always, their new Avengers will not be getting aloft while there are punters at large same goes for the Hawk T2s at Valley, they are subject to PFI arrangements.
Therefore, increasingly, the stuff that's impressive at airshows will be ex-military types in private hands. That evermore used collective description "Cold War types" or "Classic Jets" and "Warbirds". As it is, for the first time, Waddington's military line up this year is slightly overshadowed by all the classic jets, especially what's coming from the Swedish Historic Flight and Culdrose is entirely reliant on any parafin burning this year being from the private collector's air force.
The more thins change the more they stay the same eh!
FB
RIAT is probably, along with Waddington and to some extent Yeovilton the only three airshows worth a candle in terms of military contribution in the U.K. these days. A lot due to the simple contraction of the R.A.F. (no more Leuchars). On top of the contraction of the service, there is the added problem of PFI. I believe it is a part of the contractual obligation that aircraft leased to the Armed Forces don't get aerobated around for public entertainment and suspect that this why at Culdrose this year, as always, their new Avengers will not be getting aloft while there are punters at large same goes for the Hawk T2s at Valley, they are subject to PFI arrangements.
Therefore, increasingly, the stuff that's impressive at airshows will be ex-military types in private hands. That evermore used collective description "Cold War types" or "Classic Jets" and "Warbirds". As it is, for the first time, Waddington's military line up this year is slightly overshadowed by all the classic jets, especially what's coming from the Swedish Historic Flight and Culdrose is entirely reliant on any parafin burning this year being from the private collector's air force.
The more thins change the more they stay the same eh!
FB
VTTS We were instead offered a static position for XH558 crowd-side with a nearby site for the Vulcan Village. However we have a duty of care to those of our volunteers who staff the Vulcan Village not to risk exposing them to visitors expecting to see XH558 flying who complain that she is not.
For this reason, and the significant costs involved in bringing XH558, the Vulcan Village and the team to Fairford for the weekend, we have decided to decline RIAT's offer of a static position
For this reason, and the significant costs involved in bringing XH558, the Vulcan Village and the team to Fairford for the weekend, we have decided to decline RIAT's offer of a static position
FB There was a story on ukar back in 2009 I believe about how the Vulcan cancelled, on either one of the two days, at the Biggin Hill Air Fair, some character pitched up at the Vulcan to the Sky stand and enquired about its absence from the day's flying in a rather blunt and misinformed manner. I believe the chap had previously imbibed, a copious amount as well, going by the witness report.
I get the financial reasons, no problems with that, but what a load of
regarding risking exposing staff to airshow visitors. It does beg the question how Vulcan supporters will behave if they turn up somewhere and have a tech problem for a whole weekend. Makes you wonder how civvy airlines get on dealing with thousands of disrupted passengers during significant delays, and they can get a bit 'shouty' believe me! Cracking way for VTTS to imply that their supporters can't be trusted to behave themselves 
You may get a few twats turn up, but numbers large enough to cause concern? What next Vulcan fans throwing bog rolls across the runway and having their own 'Inter-City' firm?
edited to add quotes to first para
I can see it now 558 crew or Vulcan patrol.. Next thing they will be standing for parliament!!!
It is probably the safety of the good doctor.... The Vulcan does seem to arouse the blood pressure of the aircraft preservation movement! Due to plemings constant appeals for money and the belief this takes away cash from other equally worthy projects!
Personally... Having seen the Vulcan display under the old rules it was an awe inspiring sight! Last time I saw it at goodwood it might as well have been displaying in the next county..... Oh it was
It is probably the safety of the good doctor.... The Vulcan does seem to arouse the blood pressure of the aircraft preservation movement! Due to plemings constant appeals for money and the belief this takes away cash from other equally worthy projects!
Personally... Having seen the Vulcan display under the old rules it was an awe inspiring sight! Last time I saw it at goodwood it might as well have been displaying in the next county..... Oh it was
In my opinion, there is likely more to the story of the Vulcan not displaying at RIAT 2014. I would hazard a guess that Pleming is probably also asking for more dosh than RIAT are willing to stump up?
Whilst Pleming is well known for constantly having his begging bowl out, RIAT organisers are hardly innocent when it comes to financial matters. I agree with comments that military charities get a lot less of the income from such events than people think. My past experiences at RIAT, as crew for static aircraft, leads me to think that an unnecessarily sizeable chunk of it is blown on wining, dining and chaffeur-driven cars for the RIAT 'elite', many of whom are superbly pompous 4rseholes.
Whilst Pleming is well known for constantly having his begging bowl out, RIAT organisers are hardly innocent when it comes to financial matters. I agree with comments that military charities get a lot less of the income from such events than people think. My past experiences at RIAT, as crew for static aircraft, leads me to think that an unnecessarily sizeable chunk of it is blown on wining, dining and chaffeur-driven cars for the RIAT 'elite', many of whom are superbly pompous 4rseholes.
