The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows have released their display dates for the 2018 display season and further details about the RAF100 display season. A statement on the team’s website reads:-
The team is planning to display with its trademark nine aircraft formation for the RAF100 year.
To enable this to happen, Squadron Leader Mike Ling is re-joining the Squadron, to fly in the Red 3 position for the season.
Sqn Ldr Ling will cover for Flight Lieutenant David Stark, while he recuperates from injuries sustained in an incident at RAF Valley in March, which also led to the death of engineer Corporal Jonathan Bayliss.
Wing Commander Andrew Keith, Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: “Preparations continue for the Red Arrows’ 2018 season, when the team will play its part in marking the Royal Air Force’s centenary year and aims to inspire all those who see our displays.
“Careful consideration was given in making the decision to bring in a pilot to the Red 3 position.
“As the Squadron recovers from the tragic loss of a colleague, the on-going convalescence of Flt Lt Stark and the safe operation of the Red Arrows is paramount for us.
“The decision will also allow the most visually-appealing solution for the 2018 season and maintain the Red Arrows’ famous Diamond Nine shape.”
Sqn Ldr Ling, a qualified Hawk T1 pilot, is among the most experienced Red Arrows pilots, having previously completed nine seasons with the team – including flying as Red 3 in his first year with the Squadron in 2008. He left the team at the end of last year, having been Red 10 for six seasons.
Later this month, the Red Arrows are to carry out a planned, annual exercise overseas, where the team, including pilots and support staff, will complete a focussed, five-week pre-season training programme.
June
- 2nd-3rd – Torbay Airshow, Devon
- 5th – Isle of Man TT Races, Isle of Man
- 10th – RAF Cosford Air Show, Shropshire
- 16th-17th – Haven Great Yarmouth Airshow, Norfolk
- 23rd-24th – Weston Air Festival, Somerset
- 30th – National Armed Forces Day, Llandudno, North Wales
- 30th-1st July – Wales Airshow, Swansea
July
- 30th June – 1st July – Wales Airshow, Swansea
- 1st July – North East Lincolnshire Armed Forces Weekend, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire
- 6th – Southport Airshow, Lancashire
- 7th – RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day, Somerset
- 8th – British Grand Prix, Silverstone, Northamptonshire
- 13th-15th – Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire
- 14th-15th – Goodwood Festival of Speed, West Sussex
- 21st – Hastings, East Sussex
- 22nd – Folkestone, Kent
- 25th – Scottish Week, Peterhead Lido, Aberdeenshire
- 27th-28th – 30th Sunderland Airshow, Tyne & Wear
- 28th – Scotland’s National Airshow, East Fortune, East Lothian
- 29th – Bray International Air Display, Republic of Ireland
August
- 10th – Cowes Week, Isle of Wight
- 11th – Newcastle Festival of Flight, Northern Ireland
- 12th – Blackpool Airshow, Lancashire
- 12th – Whitby Regatta, North Yorkshire
- 14th – Falmouth Week, Cornwall
- 15th – Cromer Carnival, Norfolk
- 15th – Weymouth Carnival, Dorset
- 17th-19th – Airbourne, Eastbourne Internartional Airshow, East Sussex
- 18th-19th – Biggin Hill Festival of Flight, Kent
- 23rd-24th – Clacton Airshow, Essex
- 24th – Sidmouth Regatta, Devon
- 25th-26th – Dunsfold Wings and Wheels, Surrey
- 25th – CarFest South, Overton, Hampshire
- 26th – Rhyl Airshow, Denbeighshire, North Wales
- 30th – 1st September – Bournemouth Air Festival, Dorset
September
- 1st-2nd September – Scottish International Airshow, Ayr, Ayrshire
- 2nd September – Airwaves, Northern Ireland International Airshow, Portrush
- 8th – Heroes at Highclere, Berkshire
- 9th – Great North Run, Tyne & Wear
- 13th – Guernsey Air Display, Channel Islands
- 13th – Jersey International Air Display, Channel Islands
- 18th – Menorca, Spain
- 22nd-23rd – Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow, IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire
- 27th – Monte Carlo, Monaco
