Not a massive surprise given the circumstances, but I will miss working at them both - they're great fun 🙂
Fairford is (and has been for some years) an active high-security USAFB with daily U2 recon flights, additional B-1 and B-52 flights are currently taking place because of the war. Not sure how active Farnborough is in the military sense, but it's July trade show and air show certainly leans heavily toward military aircraft and weapons / weapon systems.
Not just the daily activity at Fairford, although the aero-twitchers are practically orgasmic with joy at what they’re seeing, but I’d guess it’s very difficult for most nations who would take part actually justifying sending valuable military equipment, and using the fuel necessary to get them there.
Decided not to book this year due to the on-going conflicts. Thought it might not go on. I also wasn't comfortable going to see military aircraft when there are so many currently being used to kill people.
We usually camp nearby, which isn't cheap for a field and a porta loo, then fuel and admission fees.
I'm guessing folk won't get camping fees back as the sites will have already booked portaloos, showers, event gazebo's, water bowsers etc etc. Looks like next year will be out if you haven't booked for 2026 as I'm assuming admission will roll over.
One thing all the camp sites do say is make sure you have travel insurance as fees may not be refundable.
Checked the camp website and they are looking at options and talking to suppliers as technically they are still open as a camp and have facilities and entertainment booked. Their T&C's state so. Big shame for them as the site we use is run by a family and it's their daughter's venture. It's great and run well.
I was still getting emails about what was going to be on display at RIAT26 this week, so that's not quite 2 months of notice and that applies to a lot of the air forces and suchlike that were going to attend, as well as the public.
I'm absolutely gutted about RIAT, it's the highlight of my year.
There was zero concern about fuel at Fairford.
Hopefully things are in better shape for 2027.
Are you sure Farborough is cancelled, nothing on their website https://www.farnboroughairshow.com
Used to go to loads of airshows when I was younger. When Iraq invaded Kuwait, Desert Storm meant the F117 was absent from a few that year but they weren't cancelled.
The airbases weren't hosting the US flights though back then...
Are you sure Farborough is cancelled, nothing on their website https://www.farnboroughairshow.com
It's local to me and I'm not aware it's cancelled.... did I miss something?
Just looked and seems that tickets can be booked still for the public day (Fri)
The email I received did say that they were both definitely cancelled, but of course there’s always a chance someone up the chain got their wires crossed somewhere, so maybe only RIAT is actually cancelled……
I must say, the cynical side of me was surprised to hear that Farnborough was being cancelled …… if anything, from an arms and ammunition sellers point of view, sadly a current war is exactly the sort of advertising you need to drum up arms sales in the middle of an ongoing economic crisis……
You mean Farnborough ? Won't be RIAT.
wasn't comfortable going to see military aircraft when there are so many currently being used to kill people.
...but it's okay going to see military aircraft in other years, when they are less likely to be actively killing people? Human psychology is quite paradoxical, isn't it.. 😆
FWIW, when I went to RIAT around 10 years ago, I was very, very excited to see all the military planes - I absolutely love military planes - one of my favourites being the B-52, which they had in the public viewing area on the airfield. I was so excited about getting to see one of these legendary beasts up close in real life.
The excitement completely disappeared once we got near it though. There was this overwhelming sense of being in the presence of an absolutely murderous piece of machinery. It simply exuded death from every surface. That was a chilling experience I'll never forget.
wasn't comfortable going to see military aircraft when there are so many currently being used to kill people.
...but it's okay going to see military aircraft in other years, when they are less likely to be actively killing people? Human psychology is quite paradoxical, isn't it.. 😆
FWIW, when I went to RIAT around 10 years ago, I was very, very excited to see all the military planes - I absolutely love military planes - one of my favourites being the B-52, which they had in the public viewing area on the airfield. I was so excited about getting to see one of these legendary beasts up close in real life.
The excitement completely disappeared once we got near it though. There was this overwhelming sense of being in the presence of an absolutely murderous piece of machinery. It simply exuded death from every surface. That was a chilling experience I'll never forget.
I find being as knowledgable as possible on why they existed and what they were there to do helps. I’ve flown a plane that killed someone, and sat in one that was designed to nuke countries, I understand why they existed, and under what circumstances they would be used, ie not as aggressors.
Unsure how I’d feel in the current US Bomber squadron, cool as they are.
and under what circumstances they would be used, ie not as aggressors.
An interesting rationale, but I wonder how many of the Typhoons have killed someone (I would assume most if not all by this point?) and how many of those people you could actually legitimately term aggressors against the UK?
The technology and engineering is sometimes incredible, but at the end of the day you're looking at the gun that was used to kill someone. Or if you want to maintain some moral superiority, you're looking at the high-tech precision extrajudicial gallows that were used to kill someone.
Yep. Watching F35s in the Mach Loop is just such a cool experience - until you remember that they are purely and simply death machines, each of which cost enough money to feed and house thousands of people.
It's weird how easy this passes some people ( ie me) by.
I was always amazed by the noise and power of low flying military jets and the insane presence they have, even just as a bystander in the lakes. It was only recently that I took a moment to think about what their actual purpose was and how infinitely more insanely unbelievably awful then must be when being used in anger.
