Featured photojournalist: Christopher Furlong

The pilots sit on the wing of a Hawk jet for a group photograph at RAF Scampton Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Red 4, Flight Lieutenant James McMillan eats in the mess while reading an aviation magazine at RAF Scampton Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Red 6, Flight Lieutenant Ben Plank walks back to the hangar for a de-brief after a display Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The pilots' kit is stowed in lockers Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Pilots mingle in the team office prior to a flight briefing at RAF Scampton Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

A member of the dye team refills the tanks that produce their famous red, white and blue smoke Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Red 1, Squadron Leader Jim Turner briefs his team prior to a flight and display Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Ground crew carry out pre-flight checks Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Pilots listen to a pre-flight briefing at RAF Scampton Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Pilots don their flying equipment Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Red 4, Flight Lieutenant James McMillan walks to his aircraft for a practice flight Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The Red Arrows practise their 2012 air display. The team will perform their routine at the opening cermony of the London 2012 Olympic Games Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Flying jackets belonging to the pilots of the Red Arrows lie on the floor at RAF Scampton. The jackets are lined up in flying order, ready to be collected by ground crew and despatched to the base of their next display Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Air traffic control staff at RAF Scampton wave goodbye to the Red Arrows as the team leave for a display Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images