Aircraft Updates

Latest updates

This week, with members of our team away in Prague attending the European Airshow Council Convention, it seems very appropriate to announce the Czech Air Force's participation in RIAT25!

Firstly, we're very pleased to see their W-3 Sokol helicopter perform in the flying display. This SAR helicopter is very relevant for our Eyes in the Skies theme, and performs a very impressive and spirited display routine. When we last saw it perform at RIAT in 2022 the squadron flew one of their camouflaged helicopters, so this year we'll be asking them to bring an airframe painted in their Red/White SAR colour scheme. This may be the last time we see the Sokol in the UK, with the type planned to be withdrawn from Czech Air Force use in the coming years.

In addition to the Sokol, the Czechs will contribute two aircraft to the static displays: an L-159 ALCA and LET 410FG. The participation of the LET 410G will be a highlight for aviation enthusiasts as this airframe, with a glass nose to enable aerial photography, is a rare machine and very appropriate for our Eyes in the Skies theme! Finally, those of you attending the arrivals and departures days will see their CASA C-295 transport aircraft operating as a support aircraft (it is not intended to be present over the show days).

Of note, the Czech Air Force also hopes to send their SAAB Gripen to perform in the flying display - however, this will not be able to be fully confirmed until early May - hence it is not included on our participation list for now.

This week we've continued conversations with several European Air Arms about their aspirations to support RIAT25, with a number of fast jets and display teams being discussed. However, it's still very early in the planning cycle for most Air Arms, with the majority of them not able to confirm their attendance until the Spring. Check back next week for more news, including updates from the EAC Convention.

Previous updates

Thursday 27th February:

Two familiar favourites are returning to the RIAT flying display this week!

Starting with our friends from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, we will welcome the Royal Jordanian Falcons display team to perform in the flying display with their Extra 330LX aircraft. In addition, we will see the C-130H Hercules on static display. Following last year's debut of a newer airframe in grey colours, the intent is that for RIAT25 they will bring an aircraft painted in their traditional Jordanian camouflage pattern.

The German Army will return to RIAT with their NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters - one for the flying display and one available for closer inspection on static display.

Finally this week, two more static display additions as part of our Eyes in the Skies theme. Firstly from Italy, we'll welcome a Piaggio P.166C which is operated in civilian hands but painted in authentic Italian Air Force colours. We're also welcoming the Catalina, based at Duxford, back to RIAT after many years. Our aspiration is to park the Catalina on static display alongside examples of modern-day maritime patrol aircraft to offer an interesting historical/contemporary comparison.

Thursday 13th February:

This week we have a quadruple update for our Eyes in the Skies theme.

Firstly, we are delighted to be welcoming two aircraft from Portugal, both of which will be making their RIAT debut! Their Merlin helicopter, adorned in beautiful camouflage, will be performing a search and rescue demonstration as part of the RIAT flying display, which will surely be a highlight for aviation enthusiasts. In addition, joining our static displays will be one of the most iconic maritime patrol aircraft in service worldwide: the P-3 Orion.

Continuing on the SAR theme, we're pleased that Historic Helicopters will bring their Whirlwind and Wessex helicopters to RIAT 2025. The current plan is for these two aircraft to arrive on Friday, and then join the static displays on Saturday & Sunday.

This week, we've continued communications with a number of Air Arms, and should soon have plenty more exciting aircraft confirmed for RIAT 2025 to announce in the coming weeks...

Thursday 6th February:

We're pleased to announce the first of our participating aircraft for RIAT 2025, in our first #TakeoffThursday update.

Starting off with some jet noise for our first flying display announcement. We're pleased to be welcoming a F/A-18C Hornet from the Finnish Air Force to perform in the RIAT 2025 flying display. This jet in previous years has been one of our award winning flying displays, so it's a display not to be missed.

Our operational theme for RIAT 2025 is 'Eyes in the Skies' and if you'd like to know more about it, you can visit our 2025 Themes page. The first three static aircraft confirmed today are all relevant for this theme. Firstly, from Lithuania we are pleased to welcome their Dauphin helicopter, which is used for Search and Rescue and airborne patrols of their airspace. In addition to the modern military aircraft, we will also show the historic side of aerial reconnaissance and this week we can announce that we will welcome two warbirds from Sywell for static display. Firstly, Lockheed Electra G-AFTL, which was previously owned by aerial photography pioneer Sidney Cotton and is considered world’s most historic photo-reconnaissance aircraft still in existence today. Secondly, a Spitfire FR.XIV, in Indian Air Force markings and fitted with WWII era cameras.

We are already in discussion with a number of other Air Arms discussing what aircraft they hope to send to RIAT 2025, with more news to follow every Thursday between now and the show.