Red Arrows leader hits out at pilots who force team to cancel their display
THE leader of the Red Arrows has hit out at pilots who fly in temporarily restricted airspace after being forced to cancel a show.
The RAF Scampton-based team had been due to show off their skills at Silverstone earlier this month, but were forced to call off the display when there were ten infringements into restricted airspace.
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Squadron Leader Ben Murphy, Red 1.
Leader of the Red Arrows Squadron Leader Ben Murphy, Red 1, said: "While it is pleasing to see infringements in general are decreasing, it is sad to note they still occur.
"A Red Arrows display is, by its nature, an extremely physically and mentally demanding environment for my pilots and requires 100 per cent of their concentration."
Whenever an infringement into restricted airspace happens, the workload for the leader and other key members of the team jumps, meaning the displays would then be compromised.
Sqd Ldr Murphy said: "Even if there is no risk of collision at this point, the very fact our attention is diverted away from the primary task of flying the display is a hazard in itself."
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by Gnome Chomsky, RAF Scampton
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 10:58PM
“If I wanted to kill people, I wouldn't bother to 'fly planes round and round in circles'. I would go out and kill people.
The Red Arrows are not an offensive force, they are a display team. They highlight what their aircraft and pilots can do. They do not fluoridate water or vote with their own Government. They are not responsible for Slovenian language lessons or other serious conspiracies.
I wonder whether BAE sponsorship would save or cost us money, though. No airshow, anywhere in the world, is complete without the Arrows.”
by Will, The Shire
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 10:32PM
“I do love proving ignorant idiots wrong.
The RAFAT (otherwise known as the Red Arrows) bring in absolutely no end of foreign investment, money which we quite frankly need at the moment.
Given all the MOD cuts, do you not think that the Red Arrows would have been chopped if they weren't doing their part to improve the financial situation of the UK and MOD. From now on, engage brain before commenting.”
by Emma, Lincoln
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 8:04PM
“Garry, Anon and Angry Taxpayer: there's this thing called The Bigger Picture. The MoD can see it. You can't.”
by Garry, Lincs
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 7:22PM
“Waste of tax payers cash, give the money to the front line.”
by Garry Atkinson, Lincs
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 7:20PM
“Total waste of taxpayers money, give it to the soldiers that are actually making a difference in the world.”