The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Reds Arrows, have kicked off their 2023s Pilots training sessions.
New pilots at Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, RAF Scampton are now getting to grips with their new role as display pilots for The Red Arrows.
According to the Royal Air Force:
“The pilots go through hundreds of hours of training to hone their skills to be at the standard expected of the world-famous Red Arrows. Officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows showcase the excellence of the RAF and represent the United Kingdom both at home and overseas.
The team consists of 11 pilots, nine of whom fly in the display, and more than 100 support personnel and technicians. Each of the pilots has previous fast-jet, operational experience flying the Tornado, Typhoon or Harrier, enabling the RAF to secure the skies and protect the nation and its interests, 365-days a year.”
One of the world’s premier aerobatic teams, the Red Arrows had completed nearly 5,000 displays, in 57 countries, by the beginning of 2019.
Flying Hawk T1 jets, the team is based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.
Coming out this way in Nov.
Bahrain International Airshow on the 9th-11th November 2022…No doubt they will be out and about telling everyone ” I’m a Pilot!”
I thought a pilots main job was to tell as many people as possible they’re a pilot
Not the qdos it used to be.
Does that mean they’ll be back to a nine-ship for their displays?
I realise this might well be an unpopular view, but I think its time to shut them down. 11 more frontline pilots and more aircraft available for training. The forces no longer have the budgetary slack to run a glorified aerobatics team.
They are still front line pilots. Give them 11 of the T1 Typhoons and they would have something better to fight with if required.
You’re correct. It is.
When other nations remove their own teams, we can do likewise.
Which won’t happen, so why should we do the same.
Here here on that. Proud to be British and the BEST
There are plenty of pilots around and keeping current. Such are a major boost to recruiting and pride for the service and the nation. What they need is some new aircraft British Built of course to push them on the market. They helped make the Hawk a top seller and will so with a new machine. And its us taxpayers that own them remember and have a right to see how good our service people are…..If your of such a mind then do us a favour….go back to dark ages and dull life
Bravo.
I love the Red Arrows. The recent CH5 TV series documenting their extended visit to Canada and US was superb and very informative.
But what British jet could they possibly fly next when the Hawk T1 is retired. The RAF only have 28 Hawk T2 for training frontline pilots. Is it really feasible for the MoD to procure a further 11 say for exclusive RAFAT use? We would all say “Yes!” but it seems unlikely. It’s a decision every Defence Secretary keeps putting off because of cost. As usual they have waited too long.
There is a development in the pipeline by a UK Company that is very promising but being backed to a greater extend by foreign middle east dosh. The Red’s have 8 more years with the T1 and lots of spares available to keep them flying although the type will be closing on its 50th. way to long really. T2 to heavy for this role anyway. Lets wait and see.
Aeralis
I think you are correct.
Red Arrows
Britannia
HM
Harrier
SAS
Iconic defence institutions.
Harrier has, of course, been replaced by F35B.
Britannia can never be replaced: it was all about the history. It was a disaster for foreign trade and relations taking her out of service. Britannia should have been refurbished with new engines.
Agreed.
It very much is. Let’s get rid of a team that helps promote British interests and public relations to a global audience.
Too many folks only see the display when it comes to the red arrows or any of the other RAF display team’s. Promoting Britain and it’s capabilities plus the RAF is well worth keeping them going. Some new home grown plane’s would be a great boost.
Indeed. It will be sad to see the Hawk go.
They said that about the gnat
Although your name is meant to be sarcastic, I’m inclined to agree with it – at least on this topic. I know a lot less about defence than people like GB, Airborne or Daniele. What I know about is economics and politics, and I can tell you that the Red Arrows are one of the greatest assets of the armed forces in front of the public. They have the same legendary appeal that the SAS do. Russia stages enormous parades on its Red Square not to intimidate its enemies but to raise public morale. The Red Arrows do the same… Read more »
It is unpopular always someone who wants to shut them down, they should carry on flying great advertisements for the R.A.F
By the sounds of what has happened recently they need an entirely new culture internally as well…
I read that article too, 2022 has not been a happy year for the Reds.
Fantastic team, but let’s get Back to 9 aircraft !
Good job I’m not white:
RAF is being racist basically.