Red Arrow Kirsty Moore blazing a trail to Leuchars Airshow

By Susan Anderson
Published in the Courier : 07.09.10
Published online : 08.09.10 @ 06.51pm

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At the end of training in Cyprus over the winter, the Public Display Authority travel out to watch the team to determine if they're good enough to fly in front of the public — a big moment for the pilots, as when they get the seal of approval it means they can finally don their famous red flying suits for the first time.

"It's a great feeling because all of us had been working up to that moment for so long. This was obviously my first time, so it was extra special. I remembered seeing the guys in their red suits over the years and suddenly there I was, standing as one of them.

"My favourite manoeuvre is a formation called the Phoenix. All nine of us come in from behind the crowd flying horizontally in a long line and do a big loop. It's hard to get right but ,when we do, it looks really good."

As well as flying displays around the country, Kirsty and the team will also showcase their skills at high-profile events such as the British Formula 1 Grand Prix and the London Olympics in 2010. But the dream can only last so long — all Red Arrows pilots complete a three-year tour with the team before returning to normal duties.

"I think I'll be quite sad when my time with the Red Arrows comes to an end because it's the kind of thing you can only do once in a lifetime. There's no way you can come back, repeat it, give it another go. I'll miss that, but there'll be other challenges for me to get my teeth into!"

Kirsty and the rest of the Red Arrows team will be in action at the RAF Leuchars Airshow on Saturday, September 11. See www.airshow.co.uk for more information.