Lincoln City Foundation’s Extra Time Hub was today joined by flight lieutenant Patrick Kershaw from the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.
Patrick told a packed audience all about the history of the team, that in 2023 there are 146 personnel and explained that they have a diversity of all ages within the Red Arrows.
Patrick himself joined the RAF in 2006 and his career has seen him be part of the East Midlands Squadron and he was awarded with Wings in 2008. He has also been a part of Typhoon and joined the Reds in 2021.
Detailing what it takes to be a Red Arrows pilot, Patrick explained that you need to be a serving RAF Pilot. There are assessments done about ability and you have to be above average to become part of the Red Arrows team. It is an intense selection process and final training takes place in Greece.
The talk also focused on formation flying and how important it is to ‘fly by ear as well as eye’, as well as making it clear that trust is vital to how the team works.
It drew big gasps from the audience when they found out that the gap between the planes is as close as five feet apart in the air.
The importance of survival equipment was strongly emphasised. A story about a team member’s helmet that was damaged when the canopy was hit by a seagull showed the audience just how vital it is for all safety equipment to be fully checked.
One of the biggest things that came across during the talk was the importance of teamwork and how all roles within the team are critical ones.
There were brilliant visuals used to show the Red Arrows team in full flight and it left the audience in no doubt as to just how brave you have to be to part of the displays.
A day such as today is ‘really important’ for Patrick as it really helps with public engagement as it gives a chance to people to come and find out what the team does.