The Red Arrows Team were officially formed in 1965 and were officially known as The Royal Airforce Aerobatic Team. They are now based in RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire and have completed over 4,000 in over 53 countries.

In 1966 which was their first season they displayed at 65 shows within Europe and in 1966 they increased their team to 9, which enabled them to develop their “Diamond Nine Formation”.

The Red Arrows only have a 3 year tour, after that another member is chosen, but they have to meet certain criteria before they can fly with the Red Arrows: They must have a minimum of 1,500 flying hours, they must have completed a frontline tour and they must be assesses as being above average in their flying role. After this there is a short list of nine applicants and they are examined through a tough selection week and go through a gruelling flying test, formal interviews and peer assessments.

Each year three new pilots are selected to replace the three that have finished their tour and the team leader must have completed a 3 year tour as a team pilot earlier on in his career and is then appointed in a separate selection process.

The Red Arrows are most popular at Airshows and other events that they display at, Bournemouth Airshow has had the pleasure of the Red Arrows for 2 years and they will be returning again in August 2010 for another spectacular display throughout the 3 day event.

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