By Barbara A. Schmitz
One thing is clear after talking to the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Red Arrows team. They are as excited to be in Oshkosh as they are to be performing in the daily air show.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the fifth and last stop of the Red Arrows tour throughout the United States to help the nation celebrate its 250th anniversary. On Sunday after the show, they’ll start the three- or four-day trip back to their home in the United Kingdom, said Mark McKinstry, squadron leader and media and communications officer.
None of the team members had been to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh before, but the Oshkosh air show is well known in the European aviation community, said Stuart Roberts, squadron leader, supervisor, and commentator for their shows.
“We’re very fortunate,” he said. “We perform at iconic locations, but to be at such a ubiquitous aviation event that we’ve heard amazing things about over the years is such an honor. We’re excited to be at Oshkosh for our very first time.”
Sasha Nash, wing commander, agreed. “Oshkosh is an amazing place for anyone interested in aviation. It’s on a scale I couldn’t even imagine, and I want to explore as much as I can.”
The team is flying seven ships for the EAA show, down from the nine they fly for major events, such as their Fourth of July performance. The reason is the age of their planes, as they have been flying the British-built Hawk T1 since 1980.
“We are looking to sustain the jets until 2030,” Roberts said. So since some of the jets are approaching 40 years old, they are trying to fly them less often until a replacement airplane is chosen. The competition for that will be opening shortly, Roberts said.
Statistically, it is quite difficult to become a Red Arrows pilot, Roberts said. To be considered, you need to be serving as an RAF pilot, have at least 1,500 fast-jet flying hours, and be considered an exceptional pilot just to make the short list of about six pilots. Those six then go through a weeklong selection, which includes a formal interview, peer assessment, and a flying test. Generally, there are two open slots each year.
Training starts in September, with shows redesigned and with new pilots. “We build in small building blocks, with two, three, or four planes together, and opposing solos going through training down to 100 feet,” Roberts said.
Closer to the season’s start, they spend five weeks training in Greece. All their maneuvers are done visually, but they use a pitch overlay, which helps to ensure optimal performance and safety during complex aerobatic maneuvers.
Nash, who commands the entire 150 people on the RAF Aerobatic Team, including air and ground crews, said the team prides itself on teamwork, precision, and excellence in the air. “We aim to demonstrate a unique airborne demonstration where we bring the red, white, and blue from the U.K. all the way over to the U.S.”
Roberts said Oshkosh provides a unique airspace, but it’s the people he’s been most impressed with so far. “People have been so friendly and aviation focused. Chances are that everyone you talk to is a pilot or involved in aviation.”
Nash said all Red Arrow members have had the opportunity to sign autographs, pose for selfies, and chat with EAA members and visitors. You can visit the Red Arrow tent in Boeing Plaza.