Red Arrows

[Gonk]

Ah, there were two.. I could only see one to point at - it seemed very loud

[Gonk]

...and they've just gone back on the return journey

[Tonge moor green jacket]

A good number of merlins have been flying over on and off for several weeks. 6 a few days ago, usually 2 at a time.

[little whitt]

went up George's lane 

had a good view of them 

 

[TrickyTrotter]

Watched them from Cocker Lodge both days.  Excellent.

Only 7 planes at shows this year but still 9 at flypasts.  2 pilots retired over the winter.   They went out for clear weather training in Greece for 4 weeks in May but 1 pilot got sent home in disgrace for misbehaving.  Too late too start training a replacement.   The now spare 8th pilot and the CO step in for the 9 plane flypast e.g. Queen's Jubilee.

 

[Lt. Aldo Raine]

In my ignorance, I didn't realise there were so few Red Arrow pilots.

I assume it's because they don't fly often enough to have more than seven (or nine) trained and "match-sharp" at any one time?

[Winchester White]

I have sat in a Hawk, even as a kid it was cramped.  My brother did a few airshows when in the RAF, he was a Hawk mechanic and got a ride to quite a few places. It's a cracking little aircraft but the Harrier will always be my fave.

[TrickyTrotter]

1 hour ago, Lt. Aldo Raine said:

In my ignorance, I didn't realise there were so few Red Arrow pilots.

I assume it's because they don't fly often enough to have more than seven (or nine) trained and "match-sharp" at any one time?

They are the best of the RAF's fast jet pilots.  Normally do it for 4 seasons (years).  In their first year they do the less riskier stuff (it's all relative) in the displays.  Then build up in their second year to stuff like flying at each other at 100 ft above the ground.