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Wales Online
Wales Online
Entertainment
Kelly Williams

Red Arrows to fly over Wales as part of practice session

The Red Arrows are due to fly over Wales as they take part in a practice session today (Thursday, March 25).

They arrived at RAF Valley on Anglesey from their base at RAF Scampton just before 10am as they take part in pre-season training on the Hawk T1 simulator.

The pilots are due to leave Valley at 3.55pm passing west over Llanerchymedd at 3.57pm, North Wales Live reports.

They will be travelling over Flintshire towards the north of Wrexham at 4.06pm.

A Notice to Airmen (Notam) regarding the team's itinerary today states: "The facility at RAF Valley allows Hawk T1 pilots from RAFAT, 100 Sqn and the Fleet Air Arm to practice emergencies and other procedures on a regular basis."

The Red Arrows are due back at RAF Scampton at 4.22pm.

Red Arrows will fly from RAF Valley back to base at RAF Scampton later today (Google Maps)

The Red Arrows have mainly been grounded as a result of the coronavirus pandemic with only limited training flights taking place and two displays at Second World War commemorations.

Display dates for the rest of this year are yet to be announced.

Based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, the Red Arrows were formed in late 1964 as an all-RAF team, replacing a number of unofficial teams that had been sponsored by RAF commands.

The team flies distinctive Hawk jets and all pilots completed their fast-jet training at the Anglesey base.

They return regularly to carry out training in the air above Valley and make use of the training facilities including the simulator.

The Military Airshows website states : "The Red Arrows begin training for the forthcoming season almost as soon as the previous year has ended.

"Typically, winter training starts in October, with small groups of three or four aircraft formations. Each pilot flies three sorties a day, five days a week, and the formations grow in aircraft number as training progresses.

"These flights involve a thorough brief, debrief and discussion to ensure safety is paramount and the formations are precise. One complete cycle consisting of these elements lasts about two hours, usually with a 30-minute flight.

"Winter training lasts until mid-March, when the team usually moves overseas to a location with more predictable, settled weather to maximise flying hours and perfect the display. This is known as Exercise Springhawk.

"During Springhawk the team is assessed by senior Royal Air Force officers, with the aim of gaining Public Display Authority. If this is awarded, the Squadron's pilots change from green coveralls into their famous red flying suits and the ground crew are allowed to wear their royal blue display coveralls.

"The season then officially begins and public performances by the Red Arrows are permitted."

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