Fly with the Red Arrows.
Discussion
I was chatting to an ex Red Arrow in the summer, and one of my questions was how they cope with so many other planes in such close proximity. Apparently they start in pairs and work up to the point that its relatively simple but I think he was just playing it down as he was a very modest type of person.
markcp said:
I was chatting to an ex Red Arrow in the summer, and one of my questions was how they cope with so many other planes in such close proximity. Apparently they start in pairs and work up to the point that its relatively simple but I think he was just playing it down as he was a very modest type of person.
Thats pretty much correct - interestingly the newer guys start out closer to Red 1 - it's a little easier for year one pilots than flying on the outer edge, which obviously requires a bit more practice.Don't forget, 'new' pilots to the Reds are in themselves are already accomplised pros, and so not exactly green! Formation and aerobatic flying would have already been part of their training to get their RAF Wings, joining the Reds means taking what you've already been taught to the highest level.
Boatbuoy said:
Don't forget, 'new' pilots to the Reds are in themselves are already accomplished pros, and so not exactly green! Formation and aerobatic flying would have already been part of their training to get their RAF Wings, joining the Reds means taking what you've already been taught to the highest level.
Agreed they are already good but it was interesting to see the documentary of the selection process where the Hawk flying instructor failed to get through on formation ability.One of the candidates in the documentary is my nephew and went on to become Red1.
I asked him about flying everywhere between displays in formation. What do they do in poor visibility/cloud? The answer was they fly closer together.
Steve
Steve_D said:
One of the candidates in the documentary is my nephew and went on to become Red1.
I asked him about flying everywhere between displays in formation. What do they do in poor visibility/cloud? The answer was they fly closer together.
^^^Typically stoic, understated British flying-ace response there....I like very much I asked him about flying everywhere between displays in formation. What do they do in poor visibility/cloud? The answer was they fly closer together.
And wow, must be simply amazing to have a family member of such status.
Any other little stories / snippets of information for us please?
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
^^^Typically stoic, understated British flying-ace response there....I like very much
Logical, to remain in visual distance and therefore safer (up to a point of course!)I can quite believe that an instructor might not make the grade. Instructors, fighter pilots and display pilots all have different skills.
Steve_D said:
Agreed they are already good but it was interesting to see the documentary of the selection process where the Hawk flying instructor failed to get through on formation ability.
One of the candidates in the documentary is my nephew and went on to become Red1.
I asked him about flying everywhere between displays in formation. What do they do in poor visibility/cloud? The answer was they fly closer together.
Steve
IIRC it wasn't Hawk formation ability they were looking for (given the uneven playing field) so much as demonstrating the ability to learn and improve quickly. So poor formation handling first time round wasn't a huge issue if the candidate did much better on the next attempt.One of the candidates in the documentary is my nephew and went on to become Red1.
I asked him about flying everywhere between displays in formation. What do they do in poor visibility/cloud? The answer was they fly closer together.
Steve
Boatbuoy said:
Don't forget, 'new' pilots to the Reds are in themselves are already accomplised pros, and so not exactly green! Formation and aerobatic flying would have already been part of their training to get their RAF Wings, joining the Reds means taking what you've already been taught to the highest level.
Absolutely, they are all at the top of their game, although they are all modest and quick to point out that the Reds isn't everyone's choice of assignment. I do remember that when I spent some time with them a few years ago (Spike Jepson was Red 1, so 2002 maybe?) they were mostly Harrier pilots. (not sure what that says about Harrier pilots!)ninja-lewis said:
Steve_D said:
Agreed they are already good but it was interesting to see the documentary of the selection process where the Hawk flying instructor failed to get through on formation ability.
One of the candidates in the documentary is my nephew and went on to become Red1.
I asked him about flying everywhere between displays in formation. What do they do in poor visibility/cloud? The answer was they fly closer together.
Steve
IIRC it wasn't Hawk formation ability they were looking for (given the uneven playing field) so much as demonstrating the ability to learn and improve quickly. So poor formation handling first time round wasn't a huge issue if the candidate did much better on the next attempt.One of the candidates in the documentary is my nephew and went on to become Red1.
I asked him about flying everywhere between displays in formation. What do they do in poor visibility/cloud? The answer was they fly closer together.
Steve
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
...Any other little stories / snippets of information for us please?
The team will often do several displays in a day. During transit from one to the next they will do a 'flyby' for other events which basically consists of one maybe two low passes (with smoke if they have any spare).If their transit took them along the western end of the south coast Red1's Mum would get a text so the whole village could gather on the beach for their own show.
Steve
I'm sure I'll end up posting these on another thread, but as this is specifically about the reds, here's some recent shots.
I was recently invited to the local launch of the McLaren P1 where the reds did a fly-by (as mentioned above)
They were on their way to the Dubai Airshow where I was lucky enough to see them again yesterday... they did a full 20 minute show for us and were excellent, I took over 1000 shots but I'll pop just a couple here.
They did a wonderful display called Concorde, in tribute to PHs favourite plane (apart from the one on the conveyor belt obviously!)
In all, an excellent afternoon and nice to see a British institution whilst I'm so far away from home!
I was recently invited to the local launch of the McLaren P1 where the reds did a fly-by (as mentioned above)
They were on their way to the Dubai Airshow where I was lucky enough to see them again yesterday... they did a full 20 minute show for us and were excellent, I took over 1000 shots but I'll pop just a couple here.
They did a wonderful display called Concorde, in tribute to PHs favourite plane (apart from the one on the conveyor belt obviously!)
In all, an excellent afternoon and nice to see a British institution whilst I'm so far away from home!
Edited by K50 DEL on Thursday 21st November 08:05
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