11 April 2018
A full list of where people can see displays by the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, in 2018 has been released.
The Red Arrows’ 54th season is also the Royal Air Force’s centenary year. 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.
2-3 June – Torbay Air Show, Paignton, Devon
5 June – Isle of Man TT Races, Douglas, Isle of Man
10 June – RAF Cosford Air Show, Shropshire
16-17 June – Great Yarmouth Airshow
23-24 June – Weston Air Festival, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
30 June – Armed Forces’ Day at Llandudno
30 June – 1 July – Wales National Show, Swansea
1 July – Cleethorpes Armed Forces’ Day, northeast Lincolnshire
6 July – Southport Airshow
7 July – RNAS Yeovilton International Air Day, Somerset
8 July – F1 British Grand Prix, Silverstone, Northants
13-14-15 July – Royal International Air Tattoo, RAF Fairford, Gloucs
14-15 July – Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood, West Sussex
21 July – Hastings
22 July – Folkestone
25 July – Peterhead
27-28 July – Sunderland International Airshow, Tyne & Wear
28 July – Scotland’s National Airshow, East Fortune, East Lothian
29 July – Bray Air Display, Bray, Ireland
30 July – 8th Aug – No flying
10 August – Cowes Week, Cowes, Isle of Wight
11 August – Newcastle Festival of Flight, Newcastle, County Down
12 August – Blackpool Airshow
12 August – Whitby Regatta, North Yorkshire
14 August – Falmouth Week, Cornwall
15 August – Cromer Carnival, Norfolk
15 August – Weymouth Carnival, Dorset
17-18-19 August – Airbourne, Eastbourne International Airshow, East Sussex
18-19 August – Biggin Hill Festival of Flight, Kent
23-24 August – Clacton Airshow, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
24 August – Sidmouth Regatta, Devon
25-26 August – Dunsfold Wings and Wheels, Surrey
25 August – CarFest South Overton, Hants
26 August – Rhyl Air Show, Denbighshire
30-31 August-1 September – Bournemouth Air Festival, Dorset
1-2 September – Scottish International Airshow, Low Green, Ayr
2 September – Northern Ireland International Airshow, Portrush, Co Antrim
8 September – Heroes at Highclere, Highclere Castle, Newbury
9 September – Great North Run
13 September – Jersey International Air Display
13 September – Guernsey Air Display
18 September – Menorca
22-23 September – Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow, Cambridgeshire
27 September – Monte Carlo, Monaco
