News UK – Airscene News

Over 50,000 tickets already sold for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo

Over 50,000 people have already secured their spot at this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo, before the organisers have announced any aircraft displays planned for the show.

However, that is about to change as event organisers reveal they will start announcing attending aircraft early next month, with weekly additions to the line-up being made on their social media accounts each Thursday.

The aviation showcase takes place at RAF Fairford and sees a plethora of airframes visit the Cotswolds from across the world. This year, the show’s theme is ‘Eyes in the Skies’, focussing on specialised aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance, maritime patrol, search and rescue, surveying and reconnaissance.

Head of Air Operations, Peter Reoch and his team are tasked with inviting aircraft to the show and says there will be something for everyone at this year’s event.

“Each year at RIAT we try and showcase a broad spectrum of aviation so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

This year will be no different with plenty of exciting aircraft poised to participate, including rarely seen surveillance aircraft as part of our theme but also all the usual favourites including display teams, fast jets and helicopters.”

Last year 168,000 people enjoyed aircraft from almost 30 different nations and with a nearly 20 hours of flying displays over three-day show.

Tickets for all three days (Friday 18^th, Saturday 19^th and Sunday 20^th July) are still available, with all under 18s going free as the event aims to inspire young people to reach their potential in air and space through the work of its parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.

The action at RIAT isn’t all in the skies, highlight of the ground attractions is the Techno Zone®, where kids and adults can experience the latest tech in the world of aviation, fulfilling the charity’s mission of inspiring young people.

“Seeing young people engage with aircraft, the pilots and the groundcrew is really rewarding and inspiring future generations is important to us as an event,” he added

“The charity does an incredible job in reaching young people, so if you have a youngster who is curious about aircraft, space, engineering and everything in between, we would love to see them at RAF Fairford this summer.” Tickets are available via www.airtattoo.com

Friends of RIAT (FRIAT) tickets are on sale now!

We are very excited to announce that our FRIAT six-day ticket package, offering a variety of benefits, is now on sale. If you love aircraft then why not spend six days at RIAT25 witnessing fast jets, aerobatic and static displays of some of the world’s most exciting and exotic aircraft, all in the company of like-minded people.

RIAT25 will return to RAF Fairford on 18th, 19th and 20th July, with Park and View days on 16th, 17th and 21st July. Make sure you’re a part of it and book your FRIAT seat(s) today, which offers the best value, with the following benefits:

Wednesday 16th July: Park and View entry
Thursday 17th July: entry to both Park and View and FRIAT enclosure
Friday to Sunday: general admission to the showground and access to the FRIAT enclosure
Monday 21st July: entry to both Park and View or FRIAT enclosure
Allocated grandstand seat and access to exclusive FRIAT enclosure
Free souvenir programme
Left luggage facility
10% discount on RIAT merchandise within the FRIAT enclosure

We will start announcing this summer’s aircraft line up from early February, so the countdown is on!

www.airtattoo.com/tickets-hospitality/tickets-packages/friends-of-riat-friat/

2025 Events at Newark Air Museum

Here at Newark Air Museum, a registered charity, we’re have some exciting special events planned for our 2025 season and we hope that you might be able feature them in your event listing sections.

15^th March, 2025 – Day Night Photoshoot

The Day-Night Photo Shoot event is the first event of 2025 and will take place on Saturday, 15^th March.

Those people on our Mailing Lists have already been contacted and a good number of places have been booked, but we do have space available for other participants.

The event will formally commence after the museum closes to the public at 5pm; however anyone signing up for the event will be eligible to arrive at the museum from 10am onwards on March 15^th so that they can enjoy a whole day taking pictures around the museum site.

The event will feature themed ground equipment, illuminated aircraft and limited in-house re-enactors.

12^th April, 2025 – Outdoor Aeroboot/Aerojumble aviation & avionic sale

This Outdoor Aeroboot / Aerojumble sale will take place on Saturday 12^th April, 2025. This will be a standalone event, with all sellers being located out on the museum’s Southfield Site.

Booking information has been sent out to all of the people on the Aeroboot Mailing List; spaces are now available to anyone not on the mailing list in the wider aviation community. It is a great chance to participate in some in-person aviation trading.

21^st & 22^nd June, 2025 – Cockpit-Fest & Outdoor Aeroboot/Aerojumble

This year will mark the 25^th time that the museum’s Cockpit-Fest event has provided a focal point for cockpit owners from across the UK. Once again it will be run alongside a two-day outdoor aviation sale. This annual gathering provides the perfect opportunity for the public to view a diverse range of visiting aircraft cockpits.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

2025 Events at East Midlands Aeropark

During the year the Aeropark holds a number of events where subject to availability we open up the cockpits of our aircraft in order that visitors can view the inside and in certain of the aircraft actually have the opportunity to get inside the aircraft and/or cockpits.

The late evening opening events will also see some of our aircraft lit up for the chance of a great photo opportunity and to also view movements at the airport later in the day including possible movement of cargo aircraft.

17th – 21st April – Extended Easter Weekend Opening

11th May – Speedbroker Super Cars

22nd May – Late Evening Opening

6th June – Aston Martin Enthusiasts

31st July – Late Evening Opening

21st August – Late Evening Opening

18th September – Late Evening Opening

To find out more: www.eastmidlandsaeropark.org/aeropark-events.html

Shuttleworth’s Veteran Bus Rides Hit Record Numbers

In addition to yet another year of successful events, Shuttleworth saw a record number of passengers aboard the Collection’s fleet of vintage buses. Taking part in all seven of the 2024 air shows, making regular trips for general admission visitors, and operating during the site’s regular wider events season, the three buses have a combined a total of over 200 hours ferrying over 11,000 visitors around Shuttleworth. The fleet is a firm favourite with visiting school children and has also participated in no less than seven weddings so far this year.

A group of 11 dedicated volunteers make up the team who operate the buses. Driving is just a small aspect of the work the team undertake. Each member is closely involved in the maintenance, polishing and cleaning of the vehicles, as well as regularly taking the buses out into the local community in Biggleswade.

Shuttleworth’s bus fleet includes the Leyland Bus ST ‘Wellingborough’ from 1913, which is one of only three surviving second-generation double decker buses outside of London. It was rescued from the grounds of the Wellingborough Sewage works where it was being used as a store shed. The ‘White Rose’ Leyland SG7 was the outright winner of the London to Brighton Veteran run in 2002 and is widely considered the visitor favourite. The Charabus lived a varied life ferrying passengers between Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire and even spent some time as a static shop that was plumbed in for water, gas and electric before being restored and bought by Shuttleworth. It is now the sole survivor of its kind.

Visitors are invited to ride the buses for free but can offer a donation of their choice, if they should wish to do so. This year’s introduction of a ‘Good Box’ contactless donation scheme has resulted in an increase of 133% in public donations, all of which are used to help maintain the Collection’s wider fleet of vehicles – including the buses themselves. Donations from previous years have allowed the team to expand maintaining and operating the Collection’s 1913 Studebaker alongside the buses during the events. This has already proved to be a big hit with the public, and the team hope to expand this activity into 2025 and beyond.

Peter Hanlon, Vehicle Events Co-ordinator and Bus Manager, said “We are delighted that 2024 has seen record passengers aboard the three buses. The team take great pride in knowing that our ‘Hangar runs’ bring so much joy to our visitors, and we look forward to welcoming them back in 2025.’

Visitors can enjoy a vintage bus ride at any of Shuttleworth’s 2025 air shows and at wider events across the site (please check the website for further details). Subject to weather and availability. Get your tickets for Shuttleworth Air Shows at: www.shuttleworth.org/book-your-tickets (Early Bird pricing ends on 31st January)

Prices are changing this month

RIAT Update
With the festivities over, start planning your summer fun now!

Now that we’re in 2025, it’s time to start planning your year ahead. Lots of you have been super organised and have already booked your general admission and enclosure upgrade for the world’s greatest airshow, taking place on 18th, 19th and 20th July 2025 at RAF Fairford. If you haven’t already, then don’t miss out, book now!

Several of our enclosures are already or nearly sold out for Saturday.

Aviation Club Saturday SOLD OUT

First Class Lounge Saturday SOLD OUT

Cotswold Club Saturday less than 150 remaining

Viewing Village Grandstand Saturday only 30 premium seats remaining

Lightning Pavilion Sunday only 15 tickets available

Viewing Village Garden Saturday less than 200 tickets available

There are enclosures for every budget and requirement. Have a look at our wide range of options here. For example, our Family Enclosure is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic with your children and watch the displays in a safe and entertaining environment, with plenty of activities to get involved in.

Or why not try our new enclosure, Altitude? Altitude will give you an experience like no other. It’s a great base to experience RIAT from, with its upper deck spaces and cool contemporary vibe. Complete with an all-inclusive cocktail bar with selected wine, prosecco, beer, cider, spirits, cocktails and soft drink as well as complimentary food served throughout the day.

Our prices will increase this month, so don’t delay and buy your tickets today!

www.airtattoo.com/tickets-packages/

Wow! RIAT25 is now this year!

RIAT Eyes in the Skies

Things will start to hot up now as we prepare for the world’s greatest airshow, which takes place at RAF Fairford on 18th, 19th and 20th July 2025.

Next month, we will start to announce our aircraft for both the flying and static displays. We already have some very exciting additions this year which we can’t wait to tell you about.

Our Eyes in the Skies theme will provide lots of opportunity for interesting exhibits in the Techno Zone® as well fascinating civilian and military aircraft.

So don’t delay, buy your tickets today. Time is running out to secure your tickets at Early Bird prices, as we will increase our prices at the end of this month. We hope to see you all there.

www.airtattoo.com/tickets-packages/

MiG-23 Update at Newark Air Museum

Newark Mig-23

Better than anticipated weather conditions during the autumn months have enabled the volunteers at Newark Air Museum to complete the repaint work on their MiG-23.

This extensive repaint work has seen the application of a new set of markings to the MiG-23, which along with the MiG-27 was taken off site back in 2019 for use in the filming of the Marvel movie, ‘Black Widow.

The completion of the MiG-23 repaint has ensured that both aircraft have now been returned to a good display standard.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

New Nottinghamshire Aviation Book Published

Nottinghamshire Aviation book

A new self-published book by Newark Air Museum trustee, and part time author, Colin Savill, is now on sale from the Air Museum Shop.

With a foreword by the esteemed author Mr Ken Ellis and listing all the RFC and RAF units that were based in over thirty places in the county the book is the story of Nottinghamshire’s part in the story of the Royal Air Force and its predecessor.

For over a hundred years from the days of the Royal Flying Corps of World War One through the formation of the Royal Air Force, its 1930s pre-war expansion and World War Two, the Cold War and into the 21st Century the county has played its part in the story of the Royal Air Force. Not all places were airfields but are integral to the story.

The defence of the country especially in World War One, the air offensive by Bomber Command and the USA’s part in D-Day and Operation Market Garden in World War Two were, in part, events that took place from RAF bases in Nottinghamshire. Training of both air and ground personnel began at places in the county during World War One and continued into the 1990s.

Many of these places have now disappeared to be replaced by housing, industry or returned to agriculture, some have left traces of their existence that can still be found but sadly many have not. One or two still have aircraft flying from them but only one remains as an RAF station.

Men and women of the air forces of the British Isles, Empire and Commonwealth, USA, Poland and other nations have all trod the soil of the county; some still remain in the more than 70 Commonwealth War Graves sites, churchyards and cemeteries; many names are recorded on memorials to individual aircraft crashes within the county.

The book ISBN: 978-1-9996353-2-9 costs £12.00 and copies can be purchased from the Newark Air Museum Shop; which is open 10am until 3.40pm each day in the run up to Christmas. Please note that the Museum and Shop will be closed on December 24th, 25th & 26th plus January 1st.

www.newarkairmuseum.org

The official RIAT merchandise store is now open!

RIAT Merch Store

It’s time to celebrate. While everyone around us is going Black Friday mad, we’ve got something far more exciting to announce. Our official RIAT merchandise store is now open and our exclusive RIAT Christmas jumper is ready to order and will be dispatched from Thursday 5th December.

So don’t delay, order yours now and make someone’s Christmas Day, or why not just treat yourself?

There’s something here for all the family. Browse our range of women’s, children’s and men’s wear, and find something special for the aviation enthusiast or future pilot and spark excitement for the skies.