MILAVIA > Air Shows > Preview: RIAT 2006 Last updated: 16 April 2007
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Air Show Preview : Royal International Air Tattoo 2006

PLEASE NOTE: This is the preview of last year's show. For the RIAT 2007 Preview click here and for the RIAT 2006 Report click here.

Royal International Air Tattoo 2006

Event Name: Royal International Air Tattoo 2006 / RIAT 2006
Location: RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Date: 15-16th July 2006
Time: 0730-2100 hrs (flying display 1000-1800hrs)
Entrance: £25.95 per day (until February 28, 2006), +/- €39 per day
+/- £29 per day (presale), +/- €45 per day
+/- £35 per day (at the gate), +/- €53 per day
Parking: Free


General Information
Every year, the Royal International Air Tattoo or RIAT - the biggest military airshow in the world - takes place in the UK, at RAF Fairford. With every year around 400 visiting aircraft from 35 different countries. Nowhere else in the world the aviation enthusiast is able to see that kind of various aircraft and helicopters at one show. Last year the airshow was a great success with beautiful weather, and a gathering of many different aircraft and helicopters to celebrate a Tiger Meeting as well. The show area is huge, and this RIAT needs some good preparation before going.

Themes
Two major themes are known at this moment - the Rapid Global Effect and the Army Aviation themes.
Rapid Global Effect: Whether deterring potential aggressors, providing humanitarian relief or reacting to a natural disaster, the need for speed is critical in delivering an effective military response. With this theme you can expect to see the C-17 Globemaster, C-5 Galaxy heavy-weights to the lighter C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall for the support role. Some tankers like the KC-10 or Tristar and maybe an Airbus with multi-role tanker transport capability. And the helicopters; Chinooks, Merlins and Pumas to carry cargo or troops quickly to forward operating bases in deployment areas whilst the C-27J and CN 295 provide in-theatre support on a wide variety of transport operations.
Army Aviation: This theme is indirectly related to the Rapid Global Effect. Before the above mentioned aircraft can come into action inside hostile territory, first the area needs be cleared by ground forces supported by army aviation. For this theme you can expect the participation of the formidable AH-64 Apache, the Lynx, Mi-8 'Hip' and the UH-1 ‘Huey’. Aircraft such as the Islander, C-23 Sherpa, RC-12 and PC-6 provide valuable fixed-wing support.

Specials
As of now, there are not really many participants known. But already confirmed is the flying display of a Bell/Boeing MV-22 Osprey, which will have to be one of the highlights of the 2006 show. Also the other participants of the two themes will show their capabilities in this big airshow.

Participants
Country Aircraft Quantity Display Info Status
Belgium Sea King Mk.48 1xF-Confirmed
Czech Republic Mi-24V 'Hind' 1xF231.vrlConfirmed
JAS-39C Gripen1xS211.lt Confirmed
Denmark Lynx Mk.90 1xSSHTConfirmed
France AS532 Cougar1xS-Confirmed
C406 Caravan 1xS Confirmed
TBM7001xFConfirmed
Greece CL-4151xS-Confirmed
A-7E/TA-7C Corsair II2xS335 MV "Tigers"Confirmed
Italy M-3461xFAermacchiConfirmed
M-3111xSAermacchiConfirmed
C-27J Spartan1xSConfirmed
Jordan Extra EA300S4xFJordanian FalconsConfirmed
Oman C-130H Hercules1xS16 SquadronConfirmed
Poland M-28-1R Bryza1xS-Confirmed
Slovakia MiG-29A/UB2xF & S1SLConfirmed
An-26 'Curl'2xS1DR - supportConfirmed
Spain CASA C.101 7xFPatrulla AguilaConfirmed
Eurofighter EF20001xFAla 11Confirmed
CN-235M-100 1xSAla 35Confirmed
Switzerland F-5E Tiger II6xFPatrouille SuisseConfirmed
F/A-18C Hornet 1xFSolo DisplayConfirmed
Pilatus PC-21 1xSPrototypeTBC
Pilatus PC-12 1xS TBC
United Kingdom Canberra PR.92xSBAe SystemsTBC
Hawk T.1A1xF208 Sqn DisplayConfirmed
Hawk T.1A9xFRed ArrowsConfirmed
Typhoon F.21xFSolo Display Confirmed
Tornado GR.41xFSolo Display Confirmed
BAe Harrier GR71xFSolo DisplayConfirmed
Merlin HC31xFSolo Display TBC
Lynx HAS3/HMA82xFBlack CatsConfirmed
Lynx & Gazelle4xFBlue EaglesConfirmed
Lynx HAS31xSNavyConfirmed
Lynx HMA8 1xSNavyConfirmed
Merlin HM1 1xSNavyConfirmed
Sea King AsaC71xSNavyConfirmed
United States MV-22 Osprey 2xF & SBoeing/USMCConfirmed
Last updated: 07 March 2006
Next scheduled update: 07 April 2006
S=static, F=flying,
TBC=to be confirmed


Tips
Because of the very large exhibition area, you need to be well prepared if you want to see all the aircraft on show. Unnecessary to say is that you need a good pair of hiking shoes, if you still want to have decent feet at the end of the day. Some food and fluids are also no luxury to bring along. Based on the weather during the previous editions at Fairford, you should be prepared for both sun and rain. Another nice tip for the show is to bring some earplugs and to go watch the departures of all the participants. Nowhere in the world, such an amount of aircraft is departing in such a short time frame, as on the Monday after RIAT.

photo by Ramon van Opdorp
Previous Show Reports
RIAT 2005 RAF Fairford

photo by Ramon van Opdorp
Official Website(s)
The Royal Internation Air Tattoo
The Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises
Air Tattoo Gift Collection

photo by Ramon van Opdorp
Related Links
RIAT 2005 @ Scorpion Aviation
RIAT 2005 @ AirshowAction.com
RIAT 2005 @ Henktito.com
RIAT 2005 @ EJvK.com
RIAT 2004 @ FlyingThunder.com
RIAT 2004 @ Touchdown-Aviation.com

This preview is written & maintained by Ramon van Opdorp.