Red Arrows Awarded 2013 Public Display Authority

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The RAF Red Arrows, were today awarded their Public Display Authority (PDA) for 2013 by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton.

On awarding the Team’s PDA, Sir Stephen said:

“The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, have designed a display of precision formation flying that encapsulates the agility and demonstrates the pure flying qualities required in the Royal Air Force. The Reds are an iconic symbol of the United Kingdom and their displays are vividly demonstrating excellence in precision, teamwork and dynamic flying.

“The commitment of the Squadron, the pilots, the organisation and all who support them, work extremely hard throughout the year to achieve this degree of excellence, on the ground and in the air. They promote the Royal Air Force in the most positive way and continue to strive to be the best of the best for which they are recognised worldwide.”

The Chief of the Air Staff and Air Officer Commanding 22 (Training) Group, Air Vice Marshal Mike Lloyd, spent 2 days flying with the team, and observing the 2013 display on 5 separate occasions. They also observed 2 run-throughs of the full display. This was to ensure that the Team had satisfied the highest safety standards and also provided a display that was a credit to the RAF and the United Kingdom.

Air Vice Mike Marshal Lloyd said:

“I am delighted that the Red Arrows have been awarded Public Display Authority for the 2013 season. They have completed an intense training period to work back up to the traditional 9 aircraft in close formation. This year, they are incorporating a few new formations, amongst which is the “Lancaster” in recognition of the 70th Anniversary of the Dambusters Raid. I know the Team is excited about the 49th display season.”

It has been a nervous week for all the pilots especially the three new pilots who will be taking part in their first airshow after leaving Cyprus.

Team Leader, Squadron Leader Jim Turner (Red 1) said:

“After 7 months of intensive training, finished off with an 8 week deployment to Greece and Cyprus, I am extremely pleased to announce that the Red Arrows have been awarded Public Display Approval. The Team have all worked exceptionally hard to get to this stage and we are very excited at the prospect of displaying in front of the public once again. The Team have returned to displaying as a 9-ship for the 2013 Display Season and I am extremely proud of the way in which the entire Team have worked together to achieve this important milestone.

The Team will return to our home-base at RAF Scampton on the 26 May after a series of displays in Cyprus, Greece and France, where we will be taking part in the 60th anniversary celebrations for the French National Display Team, the Patrouille de France. I sincerely hope that you get the opportunity to see us at a display or a flypast this year and that the 2013 Display is every bit as good as past routines. I would like to extend my thanks and that of my Team for all the support we have had over the past year. Eclat.”

The Red Arrows will first UK display will be at Duxford Spring Airshow on 26^th May.

 The Red Arrows’ 2013 display dates and venues are listed below.

May

26 – Patrouille de France 60^th Anniversary – Salon de Provence, France

26 – Duxford Spring Air Show – IWM Duxford

June

4 – Isle of Man TT Races – Ramsey, IOM

8 – Folkestone Airshow – The Leas, Folkestone

9 – Bob Jones Memorial Air Show – Welshpool

9 – RAF Cosford Air Show – RAF Cosford

14 – Volkel Luchtmachtdagen Air Show – Volkel AFB, The Netherlands

15 – Volkel Luchtmachtdagen Air Show – Volkel AFB, The Netherlands

22 – Carrickfergus Armed Forces Day – Carrickfergus, NI

22 – Weston Air Day – Weston Super Mare

23 – Whitehaven Festival – Whitehaven

29 – Scarborough Armed Forces Day – South Bay, Scarborough

30 – British F1 Grand Prix – Silverstone

July

6 – RAF Waddington International Airshow – RAF Waddington

7 – RAF Waddington International Airshow – RAF Waddington

12 – Goodwood Festival of Speed – Goodwood

13 – RNAS Yeovilton Air Day – RNAS Yeovilton

13 – Wales National Air Show – Swansea

14 – Wales National Air Show – Swansea

14 – Goodwood Festival of Speed – Goodwood

19 – Royal International Air Tattoo – RAF Fairford

20 – Royal International Air Tattoo – RAF Fairford

21 – Royal International Air Tattoo – RAF Fairford

24 – RNAS Culdrose Air Day – RNAS Culdrose

26 – Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week – Lyme Regis

26 – Sunderland International Airshow – Sunderland

27 – Sunderland International Airshow – Sunderland

27 – Anthems in the Park – RAF Cranwell

28 – Cleethorpes Festival of Flight – Cleethorpes

28 – Swanage Regatta and Carnival – Swanage

August

9 – Bristol International Balloon Fiesta – Ashton Court, Bristol

9 – Cowes Week – Cowes

10 – Northern Ireland Festival of Flight – Newcastle, County Down

11 – Blackpool Air Show – Blackpool

12 – Blackpool Air Show – Blackpool

14 – Minehead Summer Festival – Minehead

14 – Falmouth Week

15 – Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow – Eastbourne

16 – Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow – Eastbourne

17 – Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow – Eastbourne

18 – Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow – Eastbourne

21 – Weymouth Carnival – Weymouth

22 – Clacton Air Show – Clacton-on-Sea

22 – Fowey Royal Regatta – Fowey

23 – Clacton Air Show – Clacton-on-Sea

24 – Dawlish Air Show – Dawlish

24 – Wings and Wheels – Dunsfold

25 – Wings and Wheels – Dunsfold

25 – CarFest South – Laverstoke Park Farm

28 – Torbay Royal Regatta – Torbay

29 – Bournemouth Air Festival – Bournemouth

30 – Bournemouth Air Festival – Bournemouth

30 – Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta – Dartmouth

31 – Bournemouth Air Festival – Bournemouth

31 – Northern Ireland International Airshow – Portrush, Co Antrim

September

1 – Chatsworth Country Fair – Chatsworth

1 – Rhyl Air Show – Rhyl

6 – Great Ormond Street Hospital Clay Shoot – Pangbourne

7 – RAF Leuchars Airshow – RAF Leuchars

8 – Shackerstone Family Festival – Shackerstone

8 – Duxford Air Show – IWM Duxford

12 – Guernsey Air Display – St Peter Port, Guernsey

12 – Jersey International Air Display – St Aubin’s Bay, Jersey

14 – Southport Airshow – Southport

15 – Bupa Great North Run – South Shields

24 – Mallorca Air Day – Alcudia, Mallorca

26 – Monaco Yacht Show – Port Hercules, Monaco

28 – Malta International Airshow – Luqa Airport, Malta

29 – Malta International Airshow – Luqa Airport, Malta