Vulcan NOT appearing at RIAT 2014
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Vulcan NOT appearing at RIAT 2014
Just seen this on Facebook from the Vulcan people, what a great shame and seems a very short-sighted decision by someone, surely RIAT would want XH558 to display as she is a major crown puller.
An important statement on the Royal International Air Tattoo and XH558 in 2014.
It's with deep disappointment that I have to let XH558's supporters know that she will not be appearing at RIAT this year.
As in all previous years since first flight in 2007, we met with organisers of RIAT earlier this year to negotiate our display contract for displays on both the Saturday and Sunday and, as in previous years, with XH558 parked close to the Vulcan Village for tours.
... The RIAT organisers decided to defer any decision on the Vulcan pending a better understanding of which aircraft and display teams would be attending from the foreign air forces invited.
Despite regular follow-up, it wasn't until the beginning of May that we were notified the Saturday display programme was full and that the only opportunity to display might be on the Sunday.
Today, we have been informed that the Sunday display is now full, and that RIAT's offer of a Vulcan display on the Sunday had consequently been withdrawn.
We were instead offered a static position for XH558 crowd-side with a nearby site for trading. 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.
We know that you, XH558's supporters, want to see her fly; please check our web site to look for the other display appearances that she will making around the country during this year’s display season.
Best regards
Robert Pleming
An important statement on the Royal International Air Tattoo and XH558 in 2014.
It's with deep disappointment that I have to let XH558's supporters know that she will not be appearing at RIAT this year.
As in all previous years since first flight in 2007, we met with organisers of RIAT earlier this year to negotiate our display contract for displays on both the Saturday and Sunday and, as in previous years, with XH558 parked close to the Vulcan Village for tours.
... The RIAT organisers decided to defer any decision on the Vulcan pending a better understanding of which aircraft and display teams would be attending from the foreign air forces invited.
Despite regular follow-up, it wasn't until the beginning of May that we were notified the Saturday display programme was full and that the only opportunity to display might be on the Sunday.
Today, we have been informed that the Sunday display is now full, and that RIAT's offer of a Vulcan display on the Sunday had consequently been withdrawn.
We were instead offered a static position for XH558 crowd-side with a nearby site for trading. 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.
We know that you, XH558's supporters, want to see her fly; please check our web site to look for the other display appearances that she will making around the country during this year’s display season.
Best regards
Robert Pleming
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 ...................
Another reason not to bother with this expensive, rather mediocre air show which is now but a pale shadow of its former self.
Have you seen the list of confirmed aircraft....
No Vulcan, no air show.....
Have you seen the list of confirmed aircraft....
No Vulcan, no air show.....
RIAT has the first appearance of the new wonder jet though, so all's well 
Waddo looks a better line up anyway.......
Vulcan, Canberra PR.9, 3 x ship Gnat display team, Hunters and the Swedish AFHF Viggen and Draken coming over (shame they couldn't bring the lovely Lansen over as well)
Waddo looks a better line up anyway.......
Vulcan, Canberra PR.9, 3 x ship Gnat display team, Hunters and the Swedish AFHF Viggen and Draken coming over (shame they couldn't bring the lovely Lansen over as well)
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Earlier today I was about to book tickets for the show. Something intuitive made me hold back, and seeing this thread confirms the decision.
I hope the organisers of RIAT become aware of this thread and the strength of feeling about XH558. Seeing it at a static display is like a glass of fine shiraz, a fillet steak and chips without the steak or wine!
I hope the organisers of RIAT become aware of this thread and the strength of feeling about XH558. Seeing it at a static display is like a glass of fine shiraz, a fillet steak and chips without the steak or wine!
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While XH558 is still in an airworthy state ... I think it's a very sad state of affairs when the organisers of the RIAT feel unable to offer this venerable aircraft a display slot 
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You want people to go to any activity, you have to make it a destination experience.
If the people at the top only think the people who come want to watch
modern, aerodynamic aircraft, then BBMF and Vulcan won't have a place in te display yet it could well be that one aircraft that gets them to part with a dollar for a ticket.
So IMHO, the bigger the spread of aircraft, the bigger the crowds.
If the people at the top only think the people who come want to watch
modern, aerodynamic aircraft, then BBMF and Vulcan won't have a place in te display yet it could well be that one aircraft that gets them to part with a dollar for a ticket.
So IMHO, the bigger the spread of aircraft, the bigger the crowds.
Given that a Concorde arrival and departure could reportedly put 10 000 extra folk through the gate at Finningley in the 90s (when it could be seen at LHR everyday) I suspect RIAT (and therefore the charities) will lose out.
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The F35 is going to be here for the next 35 years... There is a limited time window on seeing the Vulcan.... The clocks a ticking and it seems odd not to take advantage of it while they still can.
tame display
I beg to differ. I had the honour to reveal the spectre of the tin triangle to my 2 young boys last year on our own seafront. The sheer gut wrenching force of the display made me realise that you can stick your plastic jets up your ar$e!
Not sure what the going rate is this year, but I believe that in previous years the Vulcan has charged an exorbitant fee to attend/display. The Vulcan might pull in a few more ticket sales, but for a display organiser with a limited budget and limited display slots I can easily see how it has now priced itself out of the market.
Stuff that comes out of the Vulcan camp is not always as it seems. I would be interested where they placed themselves on the table of attendance fees, my bet would be at the very top by a distance. Maybe even too high for RIATs budget. Great shame though.
We were naturally disappointed when 558 was not able to put in an appearance at the V-Force Reunion this year as she had done, free of charge, at the 2012 reunion.
I suppose its fair to say that we are hardly representative of the general public, being somewhat biased, but I am still somehat bemused by a few comments such as those of gzornenplatz and reds and greens. It's the fact that it is a great big aircraft "lurching about the sky" which appeals to the crowd.
I suppose its fair to say that we are hardly representative of the general public, being somewhat biased, but I am still somehat bemused by a few comments such as those of gzornenplatz and reds and greens. It's the fact that it is a great big aircraft "lurching about the sky" which appeals to the crowd.