Red Arrows officially start 2009 display season

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, officially begins its 2009 display season today as the team successfully gains its Public Display Authority at the end of a gruelling eight-month training schedule.

The Public Display Authority was granted by Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Moran, Commander in Chief Air Command of the Royal Air Force. Air Chief Marshal Moran travelled to RAF Akrotiri, in Cyprus, where the team have been temporarily based for just over a month perfecting the 2009 display sequence.

Air Chief Marshal Moran was joined by Air Vice-Marshal Baz North and Air Vice-Marshal Dick Garwood for the important day, where the team performed its 2009 aerobatic display to the highest standard of excellence, professionalism and safety required by the Royal Air Force to be granted the Authority to display in front of the public.

The team’s first UK display of the season will be over the Bank Holiday weekend at Southend Festival of the Air. The team will display at 1609 on Sunday 24 May and at 1503 on Monday 25 May. The team will be on the ground at Southend Festival of the Air on Monday from 1045 to 1245 to meet their fans and sign autographs.

Wing Commander Jas Hawker, Officer Commanding and Team Leader of the Red Arrows says: “Being granted the Public Display Authority is the culmination of eight months of incredibly demanding training to ensure our display is to the highest standard of excellence expected from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. We are very proud to have been granted the Authority for the 2009 season and are looking forward to demonstrating the skills and excellence of the Royal Air Force in front of many thousands of people in the UK and overseas this year”

For the latest news on the Red Arrows go to www.raf.mod.uk/reds. Please note all displays are subject to weather and operational commitments.