Cotter, Jarrod The Red Arrows

A Pilots' Perspective

Since 1965, the RAF's Red Arrows have thrilled millions of people around the world with their breathtaking aerobatic formations. Commonly known as the Reds, the team has worked its way to the pinnacle of excellence over the years and gained worldwide recognition. Officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows have performed their combination of tight formations and precision flying, often in their signature Diamond Nine formation, thousands of times around the globe. By the start of the 2023 season, the Red Arrows had completed nearly 5,000 displays in an incredible 57 countries. It is no coincidence that their motto is the French word Éclat, meaning brilliance or excellence. In "The Red Arrows. A Pilot's Perspective", aviation author Jarrod Cotter brings together former pilots to write about what it's like to fly precise aerobatic manoeuvres in close formation in a fast jet. The book features pilots from the Red Arrows' home region of Lincolnshire to countries as far afield as New Zealand. There are also contributions from a former Red Arrows pilot who flew in the last year of the Folland Gnats and the first year of the BAE Systems Hawk. Another pilot whose stories are told here was a member of the team during the glamorous 50th flying season, but remembers all too painfully the tragedy of the accidents that claimed the lives of several members of the team. "The Red Arrows. A Pilot's Perspective" contains numerous current and historical images from the cockpit and outside, including many dramatic air-to-air scenes. Team portraits of the pilots are also included.