Red Arrows 50th Facts

• The Red Arrows, officially the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, performed their first display on May 6, 1965 at Little Rissington.
• Now numbering nine members – all volunteers – they have appeared at events in more than 50 countries around the world showcasing the skills of RAF pilots.
• The planes are painted red for health and safety reasons – red being most visible in the sky – although officially it is in tribute to the Red Pelicans, their predecessors as an air aerobatic team.
• The Red Arrows whose motto is Éclat, meaning Brilliance have been based at RAF Scampton since December 21, 2000.
• Three pilots are changed every year, so that there are always three first year pilots, three second year pilots, and three in their final year.
• The pilots always fly in the same place in the formation and if one is unwell then they fly in an eight-man formation.
• However, if the lead pilot is unable to fly, then the team's performance is cancelled.
• In 2010 Flt Lt Kirsty Moore became the first female Red Arrow pilot.