Red Arrows News Page

NOVEMBER

Red Arrows fly Bishop of Lincoln

"I don’t know how I will ever top this!"

Those were the parting words of the Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd Dr John Saxbee, when he had the rare opportunity to fly with The Red Arrows on a training flight today. The flight was arranged to coincide with the culmination of The Red Arrows’ support for Lincoln Cathedral in 2005; the Annual Red Arrows’ Concert tomorrow on 30 November 2005. The concert at Lincoln Cathedral by the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment will raise money for several charities, including the Red Arrows’ chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Relief. As followers of these news pages will know, Macmillan Cancer Relief was adopted by the team after the death of Flt Lt Matt Jarvis earlier this year.

"Not many people in the world have the opportunity to fly with The Red Arrows" said Red 1, Squadron Leader Dicky Patounas. "As far as I am aware, this is the first time that we have flown a Bishop. Lincoln Cathedral plays an important role in the community in which we live, and we are proud of our close relationship."

"The Red Arrows are a national institution and to fly with them was the experience of a lifetime. It was truly a spiritual experience and made the power of God’s creation very real. I don’t know how I will ever top this!" said the Bishop "The death of one of the Red Arrows’ pilots of cancer earlier this year was a tragic event that touched many people in Lincolnshire and across the UK. We are proud to work closely with The Red Arrows and I look forward to continuing our joint efforts for charity in the future."

The event was covered by reporters from BBC Look North, ITV’s Yorkshire TV, BBC
Radio Lincoln and Lincs FM.

29 November 2005

New photos added to the Gallery!

Click here or on the downloads button on the main toolbar above to see new photos added to the Gallery section of the website of when the Team flew over the RAF’s new Yacht ‘Red Arrow’.

25 November 2005

More photos of the 2006 Team training

Below are some more photos of the new pilots in their training, taken in the skies of Lincolnshire over the Reds’ base of RAF Scampton. With Synchro training and 7-ships being flown, all is going well in the 2006 Season work-up!

Click on each image to enlarge.

18 November 2005

Pudsey the Bear meets the Red Arrows

The BBC’s Pudsey Bear has started a Lincolnshire-wide tour today with a visit to The Red Arrows at RAF Scampton.

Friday 18th November 2005 is BBC Children in Need day and this year Pudsey Bear will be visiting primary schools around Lincolnshire by helicopter. Pudsey and his friends will meet children from all over the county as they dress up for Pudsey’s big day. The exact details of where the big yellow bear will be are being kept a closely guarded secret, but BBC Radio Lincolnshire (94.9 & 104.7fm) will be following his progress throughout the day.

Before he started his tour of Lincolnshire, Pudsey popped into see The Red Arrows to get some flying advice from the experts. "We all wish Pudsey the best of luck with Children in Need this year" said Red 1, Squadron Leader Dicky Patounas. "It is a charity that The Red Arrows are very keen to support."

This year, The Red Arrows have also donated the rare opportunity for four people to spend a day with the Team in order to raise money for Children in Need. The lucky winners will sit in on the pilots’ flight brief and debrief, watch a practice session from a unique position near the runway at RAF Scampton, have a closer look at one of the Hawk aircraft and spend time with the Team’s pilots and support staff. The prize is due to be auctioned on the BBC’s Great Big Bid this week. The Red Arrows donated a similar prize to Children in Need in 2002, which raised an amazing £15,000 for the charity.

The Red Arrows have also joined with the Royal International Air Tattoo in offering another prize that will be auctioned on the Terry Wogan Show on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday 17th November 2005.

To make a donation to this year’s BBC Children in Need appeal, call the donation line on 08457 33 22 33.

15 November 2005

First Synchro Cross!

In their typical dynamic style, the Synchro Pair (Reds 6 and 7) began their work-up for 2006 earlier this month and are currently flying two or three sorties per day. Red 6, Flt Lt Si Stevens, is the Synchro Lead for the 2006 season, with Red 7, Flt Lt Jim Turner, as Synchro Two. Flt Lt Stevens, who is in his third year with the team, also leads ‘Gypo’ section (Reds 6-9) when the team splits into the two sections in the second half of the show. Leading the Gypo section for the more dynamic manoeuvres in the second half has it’s own unique challenges, as Red 6 explains, "Leading the Synchro Pair for 2006 is both a great honour and a tremendous responsibility, but at the same time great fun! I can think of no better job. The Synchro Pair are famous for their dramatic crosses in front of the crowd in close proximity, as this photo of their first cross of the 2006 Season Work up shows!

14 November 2005

Photos of New Pilots training

Below are photos of the new pilots in their training, taken in the skies of Lincolnshire
over the Reds’ base of RAF Scampton. Despite the sometimes bumpy conditions,
all is going well!

Click on each image to enlarge.

04 November 2005

New Richard Baker book out now!

Award-winning photographer Richard Baker returns to the world of aviation where he once worked with his latest book Red Arrows. The book is an account in words and pictures celebrating all aspects of The Red Arrows from briefing and take-off, through their full display to the post-display debriefing. Also featured are the ‘Blues’, the hard-working maintenance and technical team who keep the Hawk aircraft in top condition.

To complement his excellent photography, the author recounts with insight, wit and humour his adventure with the team, starting with the gripping account of his first flight, through to his experiences being in the aircraft during a display and coping with the extreme G-forces he encountered. The book also explores the
Red’s home base of RAF Scampton near Lincoln and takes a close look at the Hawk TMk.1 aircraft flown by the team.

Above are a selection of images from the book. Click on each one to enlarge.

The book is priced at £19 and available by clicking on the following link:
http://www.redarrowsshop.com

Surely this would make a top Christmas present!

03 November 2005

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