Press Association – Red Arrows

That’s a good sight to see!:)

That’s a good sight to see!:)

The Reds have been up practicing today (No bank holiday for them)!

The Reds have been up practicing today (No bank holiday for them)!

Very promising.

This would appear to give a different story.

From the Red Arrows website.

Jon, as a Red Arrows pilot, encapsulated everything that is the ‘Best of British’; he was an exceptional pilot, a dedicated RAF Officer who saw service for his country but, moreover, he was a selfless and compassionate friend who will be sorely missed. The fortitude, resilience and pride that Jon showed in life are exactly the qualities that define our Armed Forces and it is these that will enable us to get back on our feet and move on. For that reason, and in Jon’s memory, the Red Arrows will be displaying to the public again at the earliest possible opportunity.”

Ben Murphy

I wouldn’t hold your breath chaps:

“Last week a defence source had said it was “extremely unlikely” the Red Arrows would do any more displays this year but the RAF said it could not confirm any timings.”
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14693095

Cheers
Pete

I hope they are back in September

I hope they are back in September. Duxford will miss them otherwise on the 4th and so will Leuchars on the 10th

Keeping my fingers and toes crossed:)

Hope they feel ok to fly by next Sunday. They’re a big part of my decision to attend Duxford.

Red Arrows fly back to Scampton base

The Red Arrows have returned to their base a week after they were grounded.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-14693095

BK,
The nose lamps are on whatever the weather, and the only time they’re turned off is to “match” one that may have failed when they’re switched on.

The call from the Boss before the take off roll is “Lights,Poweeer” at which point whatever lights that are required are switched on (ALWAYS the nose lamp) and the HP Fuel C0ck (throttle) advanced all the way, with the engine t and p’s monitored. IF a nose lamp is out on a jet, the boss will call “Match, X” (insert your position number here) to synchronise the 9 Arrow (from the head on perspective). The bank of light switches are in a row and IF the strobes weren’t required that day, it will be that Flt Lt Egging may have accidentally knocked his on when turning his nose lamp. IF that was the case, it’s not a safety issue and no other team member would break into the radio to call it…the Boss is the man who does the talking, the others listen. On landing and debrief it would have been noted and a small fine paid ito a kitty. Alas, that was not to be and a very talented aviator is no longer with us.

I just want to say thank you, for the detailed and insightful post. Its appreciated.

Don’t forget that the team starts its training phase as soon as the diplay season ends, and normally then spends the best part of seven months getting ‘up to speed’.

Altered for accuracy.

That was suggested but why is that the only 1 with it on & why would it be on in such glorious clear weather conditions? Also in all the years I have watched the reds the only light I have ever seen on even in dark grey skies is the nose light?

BK,
The nose lamps are on whatever the weather, and the only time they’re turned off is to “match” one that may have failed when they’re switched on.

The call from the Boss before the take off roll is “Lights,Poweeer” at which point whatever lights that are required are switched on (ALWAYS the nose lamp) and the HP Fuel C0ck (throttle) advanced all the way, with the engine t and p’s monitored. IF a nose lamp is out on a jet, the boss will call “Match, X” (insert your position number here) to synchronise the 9 Arrow (from the head on perspective). The bank of light switches are in a row and IF the strobes weren’t required that day, it will be that Flt Lt Egging may have accidentally knocked his on when turning his nose lamp. IF that was the case, it’s not a safety issue and no other team member would break into the radio to call it…the Boss is the man who does the talking, the others listen. On landing and debrief it would have been noted and a small fine paid ito a kitty. Alas, that was not to be and a very talented aviator is no longer with us.

I remain optimistic

I remain optimistic.

It’s like any accident or tragedy that befalls a team in any sport – the sooner the team gets back to doing what they have excelled in the better.

I can only give a simplistic but real example from my own life.

I am a keen oarsman when near decent river water.

I usually practice every day. On one such day I lifted the sculling boat out of the club house, put it safely in the water, and got in as per recommended procedure. I pushed away from the landing stage and within a minute I was in the water and a big Canadian arm was reaching from the landing stage to give me a hand out.

What had gone wrong “Some twerp had been messing about with the riggers and forgotten to put a sign up saying that the scull was not safe to use”.

I went into the club house had a shower got into fresh kit and the club captain came in and said to me, “I hope that’s you are going straight out again, we’ll have the ‘shorts’ waiting when you get back”.

I did and that’s the same for the Reds (if there is a crisis the sooner one gets back to normal the better if such is possible and permissible) – if the Hawk T1 is fit to fly, and as the team did not make a collective mistake that led to Flt Lt Jon Egging’s sad death then for Jon’s sake they as the Reds need to be back up there doing what they are good at – precision flying, great teamwork and trust.

In the absence of any critical safety recommendations in the Service Inquiry’s initial report the precautionary suspension of Hawk T1 flying activity has been lifted and flying operations have been resumed. The Red Arrows aircraft will fly back to RAF Scampton tomorrow (Friday 26 August 2011). In preparation for the resumption of public displays the Red Arrows will begin flying eight ship formation display practices starting on 30 August 2011. Display flying by the Red Arrows team, in an eight ship formation, will recommence subject to a successful period of consolidation and approval to display. As part of their display season preparation the Red Arrows practice displays with eight aircraft so that a display can go ahead if a pilot is unable to fly

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/index.cfm?storyid=0FE1BF62-5056-A318-A86C0CBA2B62C50E 🙂

True, but that probably involves one of the outer aircraft, not one of the main formation core.

Tony the only time they wont fly an eight ship is if the Boss is unable to fly, ie: Red1.

That’s not true. They can and do display as an eight ship from time to time.

Indeed, I saw them display with eight aircraft in Guernsey, some years ago.

It wouldn’t be straightforward bringing in an ex-team member, even if he’d flown in the slot before,
as there would be new manoeuvres to learn.

There’s also the morale of the team to consider.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyT
one down means you cannot display, plain and simple…..

That’s not true. They can and do display as an eight ship from time to time.

True, but that probably involves one of the outer aircraft, not one of the main formation core.

Aren’t you overlooking this quote from the MoD?

“The Ministry of Defence said although the Red Arrows could fly again they were unlikely to perform this year.”

August shows cancelled but not September’s as yet

August shows cancelled but not September’s as yet. (on the Red Arrows web site)

I hope it will be up to the RAF and the Reds themselves to decide if they are going ahead with any shows unless the MOD investigation pending results stops them.

The BAE Hawk T1 is cleared to be flown by the RAF including the Red Arrows and I cannot see a restriction about aerobatic flying mentioned so far.

I remain optimistic about RAF Leuchars Airshow.