Biggin Hill Air Fair 2007 Press Release
RED ARROWS CONFIRM COMMITMENT TO AIR FAIR 07
The world’s premier formation aerobatic team, the RAF Red Arrows,. has been confirmed to perform each day at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair, 2nd & 3rd June this year.
Flying their nine sleek, red-painted BAeS Hawk aircraft, the new team leader Squadron Leader Jas Hawker will introduce a dazzling new series of formation manoeuvres that are certain to thrill Air Fair spectators of all ages. These include the Diamond Bend, the Chevron Roll, the Vulcan Bend and the Typhoon Roll, the Cyclone and the famous Heart with Arrow formed by different colour smoke trails in the sky.
This year will be the 43rd season that the Red Arrows team have demonstrated their professional excellence to spectators in the UK and overseas. The first ever public performance by the then brand new team was at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair in May 1965. A special relationship between the Air Fair and the RAF team has been maintained ever since.
“ We are thrilled to be able to welcome the Red Arrows at Biggin Hill once again. We recognise their immense professionalism and the positive ambassadorial role that they play for UK interests as well as recruiting for the service” said Colin Hitchins, CEO of organisers Air Displays International.
Two members of the 2007 team hail originally from Kent. Flight Lieutenat Greg Perilleux, who flies as Red 4, lived in Rochester and was educated at King’s School. He qualified for his Private Pilot’s Licence at the age of 17 before he could drive car. He joined the RAF in 1993 and has flown operationally in Iraq and many exercises in Europe, Canada, USA and the Middle East. He is in his second year with the team.
Flight Lieutenant Jim Turner attended King’s School Canterbury where he was a member of the RAF section of the Combined Cadet Force. He joined the RAF in 1991 and his first operational experience was with 41 Squadron flying Jaguar. He was the RAF Jaguar display pilot in 2004 and, as Red 6, is Synchro Leader this year.
The Red Arrows are scheduled to fly at Biggin Hill during the afternoon of both Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd June. The ten team aircraft will be positioned in the display aircraft park which has been re-positioned this year to provide better spectator viewing and improved photographic opportunity.
The future of the team has been the subject of recent speculation in the media. Prime Minister Tony Blair has assured that the team will remain ain operation in the foreseeable future.
|