NATO days in Ostrava & Czech air force days

They have become an aviation legend. They are the top notch of aerobatics teams. The British Red Arrows are going to present their artistry at Czech skies again after 6 years at NATO Days in Ostrava. We have to be absolutely precise in the air, Dave "Horse" Davies, Red Arrows' pilot, said in an exclusive interview, also with questions from our visitors.

Best RAF pilots are chosen to fly with the Team - what are the criteria? What must a suitable candidate possess? Is it enough to be good or is there more required?

The criteria to apply to be a Red Arrow is that you must have a minimum of 1500 fast jet flying hours, have been assessed as Above Average at flying and have completed at least one operational tour. The Team is very closely knit and it is therefore essential that suitable candidates not only possess the suitable flying attributes but also have the right kind of personality and work ethic. Therefore, it's not just about being a good pilot.

Red Arrows Red Arrows were founded in the 1970s, when they followed the after-WW2 history of the Black Arrows. The motto of the team is French "Éclat", which means "brilliant" or "shine". Their home base is Scampton AFB. Only the mot experienced RAF pilots are selected for three years long assignments to the now 7-member formation of Hawk two-seater aircrafts. The typically red aircrafts have only twice performed in the Czech Republic up today and they are going to present themselves again to Czech spectarors at NATO Days in Ostrava in weekend of September 22-23.

How many people compete for one position on the Team?

Each year there are normally 30 - 35 suitable applicants competing for 2 or 3 slots on the Team.

What does Red 1, 2, 3...mean?

'Red' then the 'number' refers to your formation position within the Team with the Boss being Red 1.

Where is the start of your passion for flying and what has it brought you and how many shows have you attended with the Team.

I've been passionate about flying ever since I can remember and have always wanted to fly fast jets in the Royal Air Force. [] I had a keen interest to join the Red Arrows very early in my Royal Air Force career; my aspirations were realised 4 years ago when I joined the Team. I have attended approximately 330 airshows with the Team.

Does a pilot leave the Team after 3 years of displaying or is he staying with the Team?

You normally spend 3 years with the Team, changing your formation position each year. [] On completion of your tour we either return to the front line, instructional or staff duties.

Are you familiar with your predecessors and their whereabouts afterwards?

There are relatively few pilots who have been lucky enough to have flown as a member of the Red Arrows; because of that you tend to know a lot of them. We tend to stay in touch once you have moved on to other jobs either in the Royal Air Force or elsewhere and try to get together at least once a year. Naturally you will always be closer and have a special bond with the pilots that were on the Team at the same time as you.

What helps you to be calm and totally focused when you fly?

Every pilot on the Team is selected because of their ability not only to fly an aircraft well but to fit-in and this is translated in the air. We spend 8 months in the winter months working on all aspects of our formation and building up to fly as a 9-ship. It's during this winter period that we all gain a huge amount of trust in each other and this is what helps us focus on what we are doing as individuals - we don't need to worry about anyone else because we know that they will be doing exactly the right thing.

Dave "Horse" Davies He belongs to the most experienced Red Arrows' pilots. Earlier in his service, he flown Tornado F3 aircrafts and before joining the team in 2009 he was a Hawk display pilot. Because of Dave Davies being very busy, the interview with him was made by e-mail. Many questions come from readers of our websites and the team fans, which had a chance to send their questions in August.

What is the most difficult in flying in an aerobatic group, of course besides perfect physical and mental fitness?

It's the fact that there are so many aeroplanes in a small space in the sky and when the Boss calls for us to change positions we all have to make sure that we do it correctly.

Which jet-flying aerobatic group is the best in the world, in your opinion? Or rather, which is the second, after the Red Arrows?

There are some incredible aerobatic display teams from many different countries. Each team fly different aeroplanes with different numbers in the team but all with a very similar aim - to demonstrate excellent teamwork and ability in the air. It is impossible to say which is the best because each team is so very good but have differing styles.

Is there a rivalry among aerobatic teams in the world? Do you compete who is better, who will perform more demanding manoeuvres?

There is no rivalry between aerobatic display teams at all. There is however a huge amount of mutual respect and admiration for each other.

How is the new display programme made - manoeuvres and their sequences? For how long and where do you practise and perfect this display before you can show it at an event?

The Team practice 3 times a day 5 times a week over the winter months practicing each element of the display before putting it all together. Each sortie is video taped from the ground and this video is used during the debrief so that we can strive for perfection. Before we can display in front of the public we have to pass our Public Display Authority (PDA), which is awarded to the Team by the most senior officer in the Royal Air Force. [] Once awarded PDA, we can then perform public displays, wear our red flying suits and the groundcrew wear their blue suits.

Can you imagine the Red Arrows flying any other aircraft than the Hawk? If not, why is the Hawk the best for such flying?

The Hawk is the perfect aircraft for the Red Arrows to fly. It is very reliable, incredibly agile and has served us so well for the last 33 years. For the foreseeable future the Red Arrows will continue to operate the Hawk T Mk 1.

Red Arrows are the ambassadors for the Royal Air Force around the world and their show is a real treat for the eyes. Yet, are the Team pilots ready to jump back to fly fighter aircraft?

All of the Team pilots are both capable and able to join a frontline fighting Squadron once they have completed their tour with the Red Arrows. They would however have to complete some sort of refresher training to convert them from the Hawk back to the jet that they would be moving on to.

Do the Team have a common ritual as for example Tiger Squadrons' pilots do?

The Team have an awful lot of traditions, many of them the new Team members spend a lot of time finding out about!

Jon and Sean The team has lost two pilots in 2011 in tragic accidents. On August 20 during their performance in Bournemouth an aircraft with Red 4, Jon Egging crashed. And then in autumn on November 8, Sean Cunningham died at their Scampton home base as a result of his seat being ejected while he was still on the tarmac.

Many people still have vivid memories from the last Red Arrows' display in the Czech Republic six years ago; it was an absolute thrilling experience. Will this year's display be unique in any sense and what is the difference between your last display in 2006 and this year's?

This year's display will only be different in the sense that there are 7 aircraft and not 9. However, everything that the Red Arrows are about is still at the heart of our display and we all firmly believe that this year's show is as good !.

Was it difficult for the Team to get back displaying after the tragic events of last year?

The double tragedy in 2011 affected us all greatly, however we were determined to put them behind us and move forward. Jon and Sean will never be forgotten, and will always remain part of the Red Arrows.

See you at 12^th NATO Days in Ostrava, 3^rd Czech Air Force Days,
and the FLYIN 2012 Exhibition!

The General Partner of NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days is the company

Send article