One red bird visits another

On Thursday 5th March, 14 St Bede's pupils from Years 7 and 8 had the unique opportunity to visit the Red Arrows at their home base of RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire. Most pupils normally witness the Red Arrows from a vantage point at Eastbourne's Airbourne, but these lucky pupils had the opportunity to see behind the scenes of one of the world's most famous aerobatic display teams.
The day began with a guided tour of the BAE Systems Hawk T1 aircraft (Registration XXX233) by one of the engineers who helps to keep the aerobatic team in the skies!
Pupils learnt how the smoke generation system pumps diesel with the coloured dye into the jet exhaust to create the ‘famous' red, white and blue vapour trails that we see in so many of the displays! Some pupils also had the chance to try out an ‘ejector seat' for size, and although tempting, testing was strictly for emergencies only!!!
After a short video on the Red Arrow's work as ambassadors for the RAF and United Kingdom, the 2009 display pilots took a break in their busy training schedule to meet and have photos with the pupils set against the backdrop of one of the Hawks. We learnt from the pilots that this coveted role takes many years and flying hours in front line operational fast jets, such as the Tornado, followed by a rigorous application process; so it's not without hard work and dedication! Having gained an insight behind the aircraft and the operational personnel, it just left the all important equipment that is essential to the pilot's survival! This ranged from flying helmets with variable visors, ‘G-Trousers' to ensure blood is kept circulating to avoid blackouts, especially when aircraft are within 4ft of each other, flying ovals (similar to that of Formula 1 drivers) that have to withstand 11 seconds of extreme heat and a survival jacket that included sun cream, sweets (obviously the pupils had to check that they were real!), a vacuum packed sleeping bag and knives to name but a few!
A low cloud base prevented a flying display so the pupils utilised this time to take a look back the original site where No.617 Squadron, better known as the Dambusters was formed back in March 1943. From the old to the new, pupils then had the rare opportunity to witness another area of RAF Scampton, the Control and Reporting Centre, courtesy of WO Cope, a fascinating insight into how the RAF monitors the UK skies amongst its many roles.
Finally, the fog dispersed and 7 of the 9 aircraft got airborne for a 30 minute practice of the ‘arrow formation' for the 2009 display, before landing and watching the pilots walk back from their jets, just like a scene out of the film ‘Top Gun'! The day inspired many of us, and maybe when you look to the skies in the future, one of our Reds will be at the controls of one ‘The Reds'!