0:00:02 > 0:00:04An iconic team...
0:00:04 > 0:00:06in their 50th display season...
0:00:06 > 0:00:08prepare for their toughest test yet.
0:00:10 > 0:00:11Nine pilots...
0:00:11 > 0:00:12- Smoke on.- 'Go.'
0:00:12 > 0:00:15The best of the very best.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Right-ah!
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Daredevils.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Right-ah!
0:00:21 > 0:00:24For the first time, we go inside the bubble
0:00:24 > 0:00:26to discover their secrets.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28It's the hardest flying I've ever done.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30One of the most intense experiences you will ever have.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33If a pilot isn't performing in the air, they will be removed.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Two new recruits face the most gruelling six months of their lives.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39I felt a little bit sick.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44The best tech team in aerobatics keep the whole show on the road.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46A clean aircraft is a happy aircraft.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Fear, pressure, guts and glory.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50From the heart!
0:00:50 > 0:00:52This is what it takes to become part of the
0:00:52 > 0:00:55greatest flying team on the planet.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Today, nine men will achieve a boyhood dream...
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Roll backs have been nice, just keep chipping away at those. Very nice.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20..or they will have their hearts broken.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Everyone senses the pressure that's coming.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25I just hope we all do ourselves proud
0:01:25 > 0:01:27and produce a couple of really good shows.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29I feel for the whole team, quite frankly,
0:01:29 > 0:01:30this is a big challenge for them.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33A final test of skill to claim the most iconic flying
0:01:33 > 0:01:35suit in the world.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38You see the Red Arrows. You see them in their red suits.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40That's just a little bit different and a bit special.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45Today, these nine pilots become the Red Arrows.
0:01:45 > 0:01:46Or they don't.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Now they are being put to the test,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50so it'll be interesting to see how they get on with this.
0:01:50 > 0:01:5460 minutes of flying to claim their prize.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57It's taken six months of training to get to this moment.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01And this is how they did it.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17RAF Scampton, on a crisp Lincolnshire morning.
0:02:17 > 0:02:23The Red Arrows report for duty. Winter training is in full swing.
0:02:25 > 0:02:2915 weeks to go before the Reds take their final flying exam,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31the PDA, in Cyprus.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35We've got six serviceable and on the line.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40It takes 120 people to keep this elite team in the air.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Shaft, yeah? OK, back down to idle.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Three training flights a day, five days a week,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48guarantees a busy back room team.
0:02:49 > 0:02:5313 Hawk jets, some over 30 years old,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55need constant attention.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59And if that wasn't enough, this is the Red Arrows' 50th display season.
0:02:59 > 0:03:042014 will be the busiest flying programme in years.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09The Red Arrows are the public face of the RAF,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12and represent the UK at events all over the globe.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17But everything depends on the pilots passing their PDA.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22It's Squadron Leader Jim Turner's job to get them ready.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24He is the boss.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Take these points onto the next one and we'll improve.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- 2?- No thanks, Boss.- 3?- No.- 4?
0:03:32 > 0:03:36Nine fast jets 6ft apart, going at about 400mph,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38it can be a tense situation, so we need to make sure that's safe.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40I have to trust them every day,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42that they're on the ball and will perform.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Seven of the pilots have flown for the team before.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50But they still have to prove they have what it takes to
0:03:50 > 0:03:51fly in this year's display.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56If you've got a pilot that isn't performing in the air,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58there is no place for him. They will be removed.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01In the briefing room, every training sortie is examined
0:04:01 > 0:04:06in forensic detail before and after flying.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08- Let's run it just a little bit earlier.- Yeah.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15For new recruits Flight Lieutenants Stewart Campbell and Joe Hourston,
0:04:15 > 0:04:19this entire process is completely new.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24- That one was wide though, remember on the last drop.- Yep, yep.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28We will roll at 08.50. Thanks very much.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31For Reds 2 and 3, they have got the pressure of having to learn
0:04:31 > 0:04:35the techniques. It's almost like learning to fly all over again.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Joe and Stew both served in Afghanistan as part
0:04:40 > 0:04:42of the 617 Dam Busters Squadron.
0:04:46 > 0:04:47They are elite pilots
0:04:47 > 0:04:51but even they're shocked by the relentless nature of training.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54They need to be able to listen to what they've been told
0:04:54 > 0:04:57and deliver in the air. It's as simple as that.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Stew, in particular, has struggled.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02I really questioned whether I could do this job or not.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06I did consider coming to see the boss and saying,
0:05:06 > 0:05:07"This maybe isn't for me".
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Yeah, it was his Flight Lieutenant in those days.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13It's the hardest flying I've ever done.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16More pressure than any flying course I've ever been on.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Far more stressful than actually being on operations in Afghanistan.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24All you can do is identify what he needs to do to improve
0:05:24 > 0:05:28the little areas that he has got to focus on, and then you give him
0:05:28 > 0:05:30every opportunity to prove that he can do that.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33So that's what happened and he's still on the team.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36My life at the moment, and for the next three years, is the Red Arrows.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40At the moment, that's pretty much all I think about,
0:05:40 > 0:05:41from sunrise to sunset.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51For Joe, sunrise to sunset isn't the problem.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54It's getting some sleep in between that's most challenging.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59He's obviously got a little one at home.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02He gets in from work and Hamish obviously wants to play with him,
0:06:02 > 0:06:03and he is tired.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06There is that pressure, I guess, on family life.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10That pressure is heightened by the high-risk nature of Joe's work.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13I try not to let it take over my life,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16because you would just worry about it all the time.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18I know what the job involves,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21we will just deal with it if anything happens. I'm sure it won't.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32The boss is focusing on a section of the Palm Split.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35The ninth move in the 2014 display.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39It requires nine aircraft to execute correctly,
0:06:39 > 0:06:43but Jim doesn't think the team are ready for that yet.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49Reds 1 to 5 - also called Enid - are on their way to debrief.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52In these very intense, very private meetings,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56weaknesses are exposed and analysed.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58'1, right-ah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00'2, right-ah.'
0:07:00 > 0:07:02'3, right-ah.'
0:07:03 > 0:07:07To avoid conflict in the briefing room, a clever psychological trick.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Pilots never refer to each other by name.
0:07:11 > 0:07:122, you were trying to correct
0:07:12 > 0:07:15- from too many last time, weren't you?- Yeah.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17In here, everyone is a number.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Red 1 through to Red 9.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23You were noticeably down. Remember that one, 3.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26And the new boys, Joe and Stew, receive special attention.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31That's what it looked like in the air. You were very close to me.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- Go further and then come back more. - OK, yeah.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37A spade's a spade in the debrief. But fundamentally,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40people are just trying to get the best output for the display
0:07:40 > 0:07:42and all we're trying to do is point out errors
0:07:42 > 0:07:44and try and correct them.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47The team will sit through over 250 of these briefings
0:07:47 > 0:07:50before flying their PDA in May.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Thank you.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Effectively, you feel like you're getting flogged three times
0:07:55 > 0:07:58a day and then you go back to your house, mull over it all night
0:07:58 > 0:08:01and then come back in the morning with a smile ready to crack on
0:08:01 > 0:08:02and try to do better.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05But again, you get flogged three times a day,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08go home, you know, and repeat until it starts to click.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19For 50 seasons, the Red Arrows have brought excitement
0:08:19 > 0:08:20and joy to millions of people.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25But the team has faced dark days, too.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31In 2011, the RAF and the country was shocked
0:08:31 > 0:08:33when two Reds were killed in separate accidents
0:08:33 > 0:08:35within just three months.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40NEWS REPORT: 'The thoughts of this community are with the wife
0:08:40 > 0:08:42'and family of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging.'
0:08:42 > 0:08:45'Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham, an Arrows pilot, died when
0:08:45 > 0:08:47'he was ejected from his Hawk jet
0:08:47 > 0:08:50'while on the ground at RAF Scampton.'
0:08:50 > 0:08:52A painful period of mourning was followed by
0:08:52 > 0:08:54a very public judicial enquiry.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00We welcome the conclusion of the coroner,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03which confirmed what we knew all along,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05which is that Sean was blameless.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10We had two tragic deaths in 2011, in short order.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13That clearly has had a big effect upon the team
0:09:13 > 0:09:17and our thoughts and prayers are still with the families
0:09:17 > 0:09:19and friends of those two individuals who were killed.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21But the team has had to move on.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31This year's Red Arrows are well aware of the dangers involved.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33And today, Joe and Stew come face-to-face
0:09:33 > 0:09:36with their biggest test to date - roll backs.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43I think pilots fear them because they are quite dynamic.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Each pilot has to roll around another aircraft.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49If Joe and Stew can master the roll backs,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52the team can start to train as a complete nine-ship.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56We leave them till last, probably because they are
0:09:56 > 0:09:59the most dynamic manoeuvre that the first years do.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03To try and understand what it's like to perform the roll back,
0:10:03 > 0:10:08Red 8, gives us a step-by-step guide to this remarkable piece of flying.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09Flying at 280 knots here
0:10:09 > 0:10:12down below about 500ft.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER
0:10:16 > 0:10:18'8, roll, go.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21'Looking ahead. Full power, up, squeeze...'
0:10:22 > 0:10:24During the roll back,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Red 8 is experiencing three times the force of gravity.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29His heart must now pump harder
0:10:29 > 0:10:31to get blood to his brain.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36As G increases, blood collects in the lower part of his body.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39He squeezes his leg muscles to stem the flow,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41and to stop from blacking out.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46'..right-hand lane on. Move back into the formation.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48'You're just above us now.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51'Easing it back down. And we're good. Clear.'
0:10:51 > 0:10:53'9, roll, go.'
0:10:53 > 0:10:56'He goes. We go full power, squeeze back in there
0:10:56 > 0:10:59'to leave him a gap to roll back down into.'
0:10:59 > 0:11:02In theory, it sounds all right. In the brief, all right.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Watching other guys, it looks all right, so I don't know.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06HE LAUGHS
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Find out in about an hour and a half, I reckon.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15We're into roll backs, OK. So I'll get us into big five.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18I'll call the air brakes out - power, power.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21The most important thing to brief yourself before you do them is to...?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Push and keep rolling from an escape.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Don't fear them, at all.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28You've got to get the nose up, slight unload, and then roll.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31If you unload completely, you end up above.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34If you end up in that position, what are you going to do, 3?
0:11:34 > 0:11:35I'm going to push, boss.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Yeah, push. And it feels uncomfortable,
0:11:37 > 0:11:38you're pushing minus-two,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40but your separation is instant. And out you go.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43No rush to get on with these, that'll come with experience.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Thank you very much.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48The pilots are now in the bubble.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50They cannot be disturbed.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Complete focus is required until they return from their flight.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57And with their first roll backs coming up,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59concentration is particularly vital.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01I woke up in the middle of the night
0:12:01 > 0:12:03thinking about how I'm going to fly it.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06I managed to get back to sleep and it's pretty much the first thing
0:12:06 > 0:12:08I thought about this morning, as well.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11I spent my weekend deliberately trying to not think about it.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12You're always aware that things
0:12:12 > 0:12:14have gone wrong during these exercises.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Roll backs have caused a lot of issues in the past,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19so...a bit of pressure on.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28Red 1 calls Stew into a roll back.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33'2, roll - go!'
0:12:36 > 0:12:38He takes a very wide line -
0:12:38 > 0:12:41safe, but not good enough for a nine-ship.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48'Clear.'
0:12:48 > 0:12:50'3, roll - go!'
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Next up, it's Joe.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Better.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02The roll backs continue into the second sortie.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07'2, roll - go!'
0:13:12 > 0:13:13'Clear.
0:13:13 > 0:13:153, roll - go!'
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Then...it clicks.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26'2 and 3 - roll. Go.'
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Joe and Stew complete their first synchronised roll back.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35'Clear. Clear.'
0:13:41 > 0:13:44The two of us going at the same time, it's probably the most
0:13:44 > 0:13:48enjoyable, satisfying thing I think I've done in the work up.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53How was that?
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- Yeah, better.- Yeah, good learning stuff, so it was all right.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01We're just trying to correct the little bits we worked on last time.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05And of course, different little bits happened this time.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08What did he have to say? Did he say he was good, did he?
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Oh, he said he was absolutely amazing.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12HE SCOFFS
0:14:12 > 0:14:13General points? 8?
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Every single one of those roll backs were safe and controlled,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20which is exactly what we're looking for, as far as roll backs go.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22So, yeah, I'm really pleased.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- 10?- All were absolutely safe, and they're nice shapes.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27The good thing is, you're recognising how to fly the shapes.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Yeah, safe, mellow, controlled. That's what we are looking for.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Really good effort. Well done.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Good stuff. That's all I've got. 2?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- No, boss.- 3?- No.- 4?- No.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- 8?- Good effort.- 9?
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- No, boss.- 10?- No.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Good stuff. Thank you. Well done.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47'You just play the scenarios in your mind, don't you?
0:14:47 > 0:14:50'You don't want to get there and find yourself in a situation
0:14:50 > 0:14:52'you hadn't thought about on the ground before you went,'
0:14:52 > 0:14:54cos there's no excuse for that.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56You've got plenty of time to think it through.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59He's good at being kind of calm. I felt a little bit sick!
0:14:59 > 0:15:02I just didn't want to be upside down, over the top of 4.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Once that happened, I stopped feeling quite as sick.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09Joe and Stew have mastered the roll back - it's a huge moment.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Massive sense of relief. That's the last manoeuvre.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Big day. Big relief.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Mmmmmm!
0:15:22 > 0:15:25HAMISH CHORTLES
0:15:25 > 0:15:27- Do you want another tickle? - Yeah!- OK! Mmmm!
0:15:27 > 0:15:29HAMISH LAUGHS
0:15:30 > 0:15:32You can practise something and think you've got it
0:15:32 > 0:15:35and the very next day, you've forgotten it again.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Or the next week, you've forgotten it again.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Hopefully, the recurring mistakes are getting smaller and smaller.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45JAUNTY JAZZ MUSIC
0:15:47 > 0:15:50The Red Arrows have cut a dash through our skies at every
0:15:50 > 0:15:52big bash since the swinging '60s.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59Over 4,500 displays in more than 55 countries.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02'The Red Arrows fly the Gnat trainer.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05'It's so small, the pilots say you don't so much climb into it
0:16:05 > 0:16:07'as put it on!'
0:16:07 > 0:16:12Flying ambassadors roaring in and out of our imagination...
0:16:12 > 0:16:13Vroom!
0:16:15 > 0:16:17..always making their mark...
0:16:19 > 0:16:22..never revealing their secrets.
0:16:22 > 0:16:23Until now.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35At RAF Scampton, Red 1's training regime continues apace.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40He knows the more they train, the better and safer his team will be.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49But even the boss can't control the weather.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57We just landed off slot three. The weather is picking up now.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00It's gusting at 25. The boss will now make the call.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Does he then send up another trip or does he not?
0:17:03 > 0:17:07We've just been gusting up to 28. It is getting a bit crossy, yeah.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09It was 25 across.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11There's too great a risk of the wind getting out of limits later.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15It's not worth the risk going flying. So I'll have to cancel.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17During a very British winter,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19the flying schedule is under constant review.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22It's Flight Lieutenant Jen Lavender's job to make sure
0:17:22 > 0:17:24the squadron is kept in the loop.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Ops is like the jack of trades and the master of none,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30in the sense that we get all the information,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32we just have to disseminate it, make sure everyone's aware.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Make sure the engineers are in the picture,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36and the air traffic are in the picture.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39We're always very calm and in control. But it can occasionally
0:17:39 > 0:17:42get a little hectic with the changes, just to keep on top of.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Joe and Stew have now proved they can execute the individual
0:17:45 > 0:17:47manoeuvres of this year's display.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52Now comes the tough part...
0:17:52 > 0:17:54putting it all together.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57The first major hurdle they have to jump through is the first nine-ship.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00It's actually putting everything they've learnt together safely,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03and once I'm content that it's safe, we'll do that.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05If the team can convince the boss that they're ready,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08then he will move the entire Red Arrows operation
0:18:08 > 0:18:10to RAF Akrotiri, in Cyprus.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Mediterranean weather means the team can rack up their sorties
0:18:15 > 0:18:18in advance of their final flying test on May 27.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24It's Red 1's call.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26But even the boss has a boss.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34We've just got some senior officers from the Air Force,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37D-Com Ops and the AOC - Air Marshall Lloyd.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40He's definitely one you would stand to attention to!
0:18:40 > 0:18:4511 weeks from now, Air Vice Marshall Mike Lloyd will pass or fail
0:18:45 > 0:18:48the 2014 team at their PDA exam.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53He is the Air Officer Commanding for the Red Arrows.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56They can't fly in public without his approval.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Operations as normal - we still run a flying programme.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02There's no added pressure, really.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Today he wants to see how they're progressing in advance
0:19:05 > 0:19:08of their Springhawk training camp in RAF Akrotiri.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Pac come in at 2.0. 1200 take off.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Runway 0-4-0-8-0-10.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16But for Joe and Stew,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19a bad performance could jeopardise their place on the team
0:19:19 > 0:19:23and throw preparations for the 50th display season into disarray.
0:19:23 > 0:19:272 and 3, it's the first time I've really met them, personally,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29and they're very professional pilots.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32And of course they have been selected because of
0:19:32 > 0:19:35their professionalism and skills, and also their teamwork.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39As before, I'll roll out, I'll come right - in diamond -
0:19:39 > 0:19:41and then we'll punch out towards Five Mile Lake.
0:19:41 > 0:19:449 Arrow, go. 8, 9.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Trim complete prime, pyramid go.
0:19:46 > 0:19:482, 3.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51To the uninitiated, it's almost impossible
0:19:51 > 0:19:52to understand the briefings.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57Right now, the pilots are rehearsing call signs for the Palm Split.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Rolling out, smoke on go. Pulling up.
0:20:01 > 0:20:031, right-ah.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Instructions are always issued
0:20:05 > 0:20:09from the pilot on the right of the formation.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12By breaking the word "right" into two syllables,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15their opposite number has a moment to prepare.
0:20:15 > 0:20:172, right-ah.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21He will not move until he hears the second syllable.
0:20:22 > 0:20:243, right-ah.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Good, let's go and have a good show, all right. Any questions?
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- 2?- No.- 3?- No.- 4?
0:20:29 > 0:20:34- No.- 5?- No.- 6?- No.- 7?- No.- 8? - No.- 9?- No.- 10?- No.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Up here, Sir.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50Both Stew and I, we like working together to make the grade there
0:20:50 > 0:20:53and we'll encourage each other on as much as we possibly can
0:20:53 > 0:20:56to prove to each other that we can make it.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59What we're most looking forward to is putting a red suit on together
0:20:59 > 0:21:00come the end of May.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05The AOC takes up his position...
0:21:06 > 0:21:09..while the pilots make their way to the jets.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15From outside air traffic control, every error will be obvious.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26In the iconic diamond formation, there is only 6ft between the jets.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Any wobble now could threaten the lives of the pilots.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36There are certainly times when you get a bit closer to
0:21:36 > 0:21:39some of the aeroplanes than you would ideally like to.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41To get close is to get too close.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44It would bring a tear to most people's eyes, I would say.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48The Reds use their air brakes to control
0:21:48 > 0:21:51the distance between their jets.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53A tiny movement of the stick in a Hawk,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56the jet's going to move a significant distance.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59I have a box of air space. It's probably only a couple of feet.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01If I come outside that box,
0:22:01 > 0:22:03it's going to cause Number 4 issues,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06and probably cause him to move his jet and react.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Once he's happy I can stay in that box, he'll come in close.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Then generally, he then tries to ignore me completely.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Even if I have a wobble, he trusts that I'll stay there.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18The Big Cheese. The Grand Fromage.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22A pre-look from him. Hopefully in two and a half months,
0:22:22 > 0:22:25when we see him next, it'll be coming together. We'll see.
0:22:25 > 0:22:26Hopefully.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31At this stage, we have perhaps got a reasonable first half,
0:22:31 > 0:22:32more work to do in the second half.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35So overall, in terms of progression to PDA,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38I'm quite pleased with what I've seen today.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Winter training is over.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58The Red Arrows are leaving RAF Scampton for two months
0:22:58 > 0:23:02of intensive training, called Springhawk, in Cyprus.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08But once again, the British weather is having the last laugh.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17They're probably better off going where they're going.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20The sun awaits them, I think.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34The pilots will fly the 2,000 mile trip to Cyprus in formation,
0:23:34 > 0:23:39stopping off to refuel in France, Italy and Greece.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44We look to get airborne at 10.00. Checking in for 8.00.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46That's all I've got. Have a good one.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Joe and Stew know that this is a significant moment for them.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00If the boss didn't think they could make the grade,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02he wouldn't be taking them to Springhawk.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05But right now, for Joe, for once,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08there are more important things on his mind than the Red Arrows.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Cuddles for teddy. That's it.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20Ooh!
0:24:22 > 0:24:23We have another baby on the way.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24SHE LAUGHS
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Due at the end of August.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30So, yeah, that was a bit of a shock.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32But, yeah, it's good news and it's good for Hamish.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35He'll like to have a little playmate. So, yeah.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37That's good. That's our news.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39SHE LAUGHS
0:24:41 > 0:24:44In the military they do go away,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47they go on courses, they go abroad, they go...
0:24:47 > 0:24:50It's quite a regular thing, so...
0:24:50 > 0:24:51I guess I'm used to it, really.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55You kind of prepare yourself, really, for it. You have to.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59You can't just sit at home and, you know, wait for them to come home.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08RAF Akrotiri. Cyprus.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13The Red Arrows have been coming here for the last 35 years.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Reliable weather means Red 1 can schedule three
0:25:20 > 0:25:23nine-ship training flights a day,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25five days a week.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28There is now three weeks to go before Air Vice Marshall Lloyd
0:25:28 > 0:25:31arrives on the island to decide whether to grant them
0:25:31 > 0:25:33their public display licence.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40'Here we go. Smoke on...go... Ahhh!
0:25:40 > 0:25:42'Roll, go. Hold it.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45'Oh, he's all over this. Wicked.'
0:25:45 > 0:25:48If they don't pass their PDA, they cannot perform in public
0:25:48 > 0:25:50and all their work will be in vain.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56The pilots will train at four datums around the island.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02The datum is a fixed point, on land, that the nine aircraft display to.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Each one offers a different challenge, depending on the weather.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11But it is here, at datum Cliffs,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13where the final flying test will take place.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18It's also here that the Reds have chosen to remember their
0:26:18 > 0:26:20two fallen brothers -
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Jon Egging and Sean Cunningham.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31The Red Arrows technical team are also here,
0:26:31 > 0:26:34working around the clock to keep the 12 Hawk jets in the air.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36That needs to go on the top of there.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39And that goes in between that lever.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43Jets must be maintained, re-fuelled, and re-stocked with
0:26:43 > 0:26:48the famous red, white and blue dye that is synonymous with the Arrows.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50THEY CHEER
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Down on the line, the SEngO calls the shots.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57The Senior Engineering Officer has responsibility for all
0:26:57 > 0:27:01logistical and engineering matters for the Red Arrows.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05It's the first sortie of the day.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07The nine-ship is at the Wreck.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Wing Commander Neil Fraser is watching from the beach.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Suddenly, a problem.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38This is a critical moment for the remaining eight pilots.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41They are travelling at more than 400mph.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Making hundreds of split-second calculations.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Now they must adjust and react to their new flying environment.
0:27:48 > 0:27:54While executing the rest of the display safely and confidently.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56It's called their 'loser strategy'.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Back on the line, SEngO is briefing his team -
0:28:03 > 0:28:06he doesn't know Red 4 is coming in to land.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08We're going to have to stop this briefing.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12JET ENGINE ROARS
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Looks like we've got an aircraft returned, and I'm unsure why that is.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18But the pilot has obviously got a snag of sorts.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22A technical fault now is the last thing the team need.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24'2 and 3, go.'
0:28:24 > 0:28:27At Wrecks, the display might not be pretty
0:28:27 > 0:28:31but Joe, Stew and the rest of the team have stuck to the "loser plan".
0:28:33 > 0:28:36On the line, Red 4 is briefing SEngO.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38He saw the lower step was coming out.
0:28:38 > 0:28:39- So he thought it was proud?- Yeah.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42I can't tell from inside the cockpit.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Your canopy was obviously down and locked.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48Everything was normal, this footstep was up, so he didn't mis-ID that.
0:28:48 > 0:28:49And there was no comms issue, so...
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Definitely said it was the main footstep.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56At the speed they're flying, any change to the aerodynamics
0:28:56 > 0:28:59of the aircraft could have disastrous consequences.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02If the guys are checking it's secure,
0:29:02 > 0:29:04they've got to make sure they're not flicking that catch,
0:29:04 > 0:29:06cos that will loosen it, if you see what I mean.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08Thanks, guys.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10The pilots head for their debrief.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14They have to trust the engineers to investigate and solve the problem.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18That's the canopy shut ready to go, onset of G.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20There's some resistance on it with the air flow,
0:29:20 > 0:29:21he's going at 300 knots,
0:29:21 > 0:29:25pushing that backwards, that's why it's staying down.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27- Some guys come along and they go... - HE TAPS PLANE
0:29:27 > 0:29:29They just give it a tap.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32That's not locked, but it's looking like it's up and done.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37OK, we'll go away and have a think about this,
0:29:37 > 0:29:39can you brief all of the linies?
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Get them all together now, give them a brief...
0:29:41 > 0:29:44out at the jet. Show them exactly what we've just seen.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48The mechanism is examined. Everything seems to be working.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55But from now on, the manual checks on the ground will be changed.
0:29:55 > 0:29:56For you guys now,
0:29:56 > 0:29:58just give it a tug and make sure
0:29:58 > 0:30:01that it doesn't come down and it is physically locked.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Because a hand sweep may not necessarily get it home
0:30:04 > 0:30:07when you're doing your walk rounds.
0:30:07 > 0:30:08Our fun never stops!
0:30:10 > 0:30:14On the line, the most coveted position of all is in the Circus.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18The Circus is the travelling circus, in essence.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20So every season, we will choose
0:30:20 > 0:30:22ten of the best engineers,
0:30:22 > 0:30:26and then it will be their privilege to be allocated to one of the pilots.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29They will fly in the back of their jet
0:30:29 > 0:30:32all around the world, jumping out at whatever airfield you land at.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36You will service your jet and make sure it is good for the next sortie.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39A clean aircraft is a happy aircraft, shall we say.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41From the day anybody joins the Red Arrows,
0:30:41 > 0:30:44they really want to become a part of the service,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47so it is highly prized and highly cherished by those
0:30:47 > 0:30:50that are fortunate enough to get selected for it.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Keep them nice and shiny. Or as best you can.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01A few hundred yards away from the line is Delta Ops.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04Just like in Scampton,
0:31:04 > 0:31:08the Ops Room runs the schedule to the boss' strict instructions.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Probably about a 10.20 takeoff.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16Stew is in charge of keeping the boss up to date with the weather.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18That's a cross-section for today.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21You can basically rule out all the low cloud this morning,
0:31:21 > 0:31:22so a cracking day for us.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26He's also responsible for ringing the bell before briefings,
0:31:26 > 0:31:29which isn't as straightforward as it might sound.
0:31:29 > 0:31:30Ding-a-ling!
0:31:33 > 0:31:35Nine.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38I don't mind about little bits of error there,
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- if you can just hold that.- Yeah.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43The pressure on the pilots is increased
0:31:43 > 0:31:45with each completed sortie.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49- 2.- 3.- And I smoke...- Yeah.- Smoke off.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52As well as running out of time to practise for PDA,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54they are also entering the period
0:31:54 > 0:31:58where any mistake or injury could be a disaster for the team.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03The Red Arrows don't have substitute pilots.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06They wouldn't have the time or budget to train them.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11So the last thing they need right now are any distractions.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17But that's exactly what they're about to get.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Today is the start of the shortlist.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24These pilots have been chosen to take part in a series
0:32:24 > 0:32:28of tasks to see if they have what it takes to join the team next year.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32There are only three places on offer.
0:32:32 > 0:32:38A Red Arrow pilot is a fast jet pilot who usually has some
0:32:38 > 0:32:40sort of operational experience.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43He has over 1,500 hours flying fast jets.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45He is the best that we have.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50I am very, very happy that I've been selected for the shortlist.
0:32:50 > 0:32:51I think it's quite a privilege
0:32:51 > 0:32:53that I've been selected to get to this stage.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57That this bit of paper gets handed to you
0:32:57 > 0:32:59with the successful candidates,
0:32:59 > 0:33:01and your name's on there is, yeah, incredible.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04- I'm quite proud to be on the shortlist.- I kept the bit of paper!
0:33:04 > 0:33:06It's on my desk at home.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08Last year, it was Joe and Stew who
0:33:08 > 0:33:10were lucky enough to be selected.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14It's the pinnacle of anything you could do as a pilot, really.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16It's true piloting at its rawest, really.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19It feels like you're under the spotlight for the whole week,
0:33:19 > 0:33:21really. So that's quite tough.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25Now it's their job to help choose next year's new recruits.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28The entire Red Arrows team have a vote on who
0:33:28 > 0:33:31they think is fit to wear the red suit.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33An intense schedule of interviews,
0:33:33 > 0:33:37social engagements and flying tests await them.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40The scoring system is a well-guarded secret.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44And every event has a hidden purpose.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50We all have to be able to get on with each other, otherwise it can
0:33:50 > 0:33:52create some pretty obvious tense situations,
0:33:52 > 0:33:54and that's not something we want on the team.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57This allows us, in an informal atmosphere, to see
0:33:57 > 0:33:59people relax, chill out, socialise,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02really get to know one another.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05But it also gives us another element to be able to assess
0:34:05 > 0:34:10how they perform in a competitive social environment, as well.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15We're looking for that person that has a nice competitive streak
0:34:15 > 0:34:17rather than a mean one.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20Because they don't want to compete against each other
0:34:20 > 0:34:23when they're in the air - they want to be working together.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29The coolest thing I've ever done in my life.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34There are 12 flying days left before Joe
0:34:34 > 0:34:38and Stew take their final exam for this year's PDA.
0:34:40 > 0:34:4436 nine-ship sorties to the most important flight of their lives.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Everything is in place for the final phase of their training.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Everything except the weather.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13Poor conditions mean the boss can practise the flat display.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15This routine allows the Reds to perform
0:35:15 > 0:35:18when the cloud base is below 2,500 feet.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25This is not Cyprus weather, this is British weather.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28In Cyprus, in May, rain is rare,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31but that's not much good to the boss right now.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36An electrical storm is close by,
0:35:36 > 0:35:40and while the lightning risk remains high, the jets cannot be refuelled.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47We're at thunderstorm level high, so there's no refuelling.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Engineering grabbed their chance to carry out some essential
0:35:50 > 0:35:52maintenance on two of the jets.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54We've removed the old canopy seal
0:35:54 > 0:35:58and now we're going to fit the new one. Give it a good pressure test.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00But this is far from ideal for the Red Arrows.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Building up their nine-ship experience is critical
0:36:05 > 0:36:06to passing their PDA.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10With a little boy and pregnant wife at home in Britain,
0:36:10 > 0:36:12staying busy is important to Joe.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Downtime is the last thing he needs.
0:36:17 > 0:36:18You think more about home
0:36:18 > 0:36:20when there's nothing else to think about.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22On a normal day here, you literally fly, debrief, fly,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25debrief, fly, debrief. And then that's the day finished.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27You go to the gym, you'll have dinner
0:36:27 > 0:36:28and you'll go to bed, pretty much.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31So when you're sitting around, your mind starts wandering,
0:36:31 > 0:36:33thinking about home and what's going on
0:36:33 > 0:36:35and hoping everyone's all right back home.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40The next morning, it's Stew's job to update the team on the weather.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Good morning, all. Not a great day for us again, I'm afraid.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49It's fairly stacked throughout the day,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51a bit of a lower cloud base than we've seen, as well.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54However, less chance of thunderstorms than yesterday.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56It's bad news for the team.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58The boss launches a jet to see
0:36:58 > 0:37:01if there's any chance of a break in the clouds.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Wing Commander Fraser is at the Wreck, waiting for news.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12Although you do get some cloudy conditions come through and you do get some rain,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15this is probably the worst weather I've seen in the last three years.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18So it's going to pass through. We'll make the best of it as we can.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20But I'm sure next week is going to be blue skies again
0:37:20 > 0:37:23and back to the training we're used to.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26But, if anything, the weather appears to be worse.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29Red 1 has seen enough -
0:37:29 > 0:37:32he cancels the day's flying programme.
0:37:33 > 0:37:38Three training flights lost, one day closer to PDA.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41OK, thanks very much for the update. We'll head back to Squadron.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Cheers.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47The weather has also affected the Shortlist Week.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51All the candidates are seasoned fast jet pilots,
0:37:51 > 0:37:55but some have found it tougher than others.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58I don't think I did myself justice there, such is life.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00There's always room for improvement, I think.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Now, with flying cancelled, their final test,
0:38:04 > 0:38:07the interviews, are brought forward.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Each candidate will be quizzed by Red 1,
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Group Captain Hunter and Wing Commander Fraser.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Who do you most admire on the team and why?
0:38:17 > 0:38:19I'm probably going to say Stew Campbell.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23If he struggles with anything, he doesn't let it bother him,
0:38:23 > 0:38:25he's not easily flappable, um,
0:38:25 > 0:38:29and he just then has the drive and determination to succeed.
0:38:29 > 0:38:30As a young guy on my first tour,
0:38:30 > 0:38:32it was a very exciting place to have been.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35You just need to be absolutely honest with yourself.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38For Red 1, the 50th anniversary
0:38:38 > 0:38:40has added resonance.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43It will be his last as a Red Arrow.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45He has led the team for three years,
0:38:45 > 0:38:49including through the tragic days of 2011.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52I think I'm ready to leave. I think three years is long enough
0:38:52 > 0:38:54to do as team leader. It's a very intense job.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57While I've loved my time, I'm looking forward to something
0:38:57 > 0:38:59a little bit more...stable.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02I'll look back on this as the highlight of my life,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05without a doubt, in terms of professional flying.
0:39:05 > 0:39:06Ding-a-ling!
0:39:06 > 0:39:10The boss is hoping to sign off in style.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14It's his job to design the 2014 display.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18And he has something new for the anniversary season.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21The main new manoeuvre we've got this year is a manoeuvre called
0:39:21 > 0:39:23the Twister. We've got a four-ship up the front
0:39:23 > 0:39:26who fly in what we call a box formation.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29A run-in towards the crowd on the left 45.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32I get Red 5 to roll around the smoke,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34and then go through about 90 degrees
0:39:34 > 0:39:38of turn. We'll all put coloured smoke on so it looks fantastic.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43Inside the cockpit of Red 8,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46we get an incredible insight into the Twister.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Once the smoke comes on we're going to pitch in now,
0:39:50 > 0:39:54rolling to the right, to set up a corkscrew around to the left now.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Continuous left-hand turn, we're just varying the rate at which
0:39:57 > 0:40:01we're turning to make sure that we keep the same circular patterns
0:40:01 > 0:40:03around and ahead.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07That's it. Just going a little bit long now so we put full power on.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11Hear the engine spalling right up, at a 60-degree angle of bank,
0:40:11 > 0:40:14to roll around, keeping those rolls all the way round,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17flipping up, over and back round.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21Two more left to go, G-pants fully inflated now
0:40:21 > 0:40:24as we're squeezing about 4G at the bottom of the turn.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26One more to go.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Now experiencing 4G, Red 8's head is four times heavier
0:40:32 > 0:40:35than on the ground.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40As G increases during the dynamic manoeuvre, he must stay alert.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43At the first sign of tunnel vision, he must consciously fight back
0:40:43 > 0:40:46or he could lose his vision entirely.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51- Over the top, good length... - 'Ah!'- ..and we're clear.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Smoke goes off and we're into the next manoeuvre.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Good with that?
0:40:57 > 0:40:59The following week, the weather improves.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03The team continue to finesse their display, one sortie at a time.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Right!
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Until finally, time runs out.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Training is over.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12It's an amazing difference from the first trip we did
0:41:12 > 0:41:15back in November with the new 2 and 3.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17You know, they were all over the place.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20And now, they're flying very, very consistently. Perfect formation.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23The team just need to remain calm over the weekend.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30Stew and Red 7, Mark, are keen to burn off any nervous energy.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Having done his first PDA last year,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38Stew wants to pick Mark's brain.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41How does it feel, you know, with PDA looming,
0:41:41 > 0:41:43compared to what it did last year?
0:41:43 > 0:41:45When you get up in the morning, you've just got to go
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- and do the biz.- Yeah.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53It's what you've spent the last six, seven months getting ready for,
0:41:53 > 0:41:57as well. You're sort of waiting for that, you pin everything on that,
0:41:57 > 0:42:01almost, waiting for that point where you've got your red suit.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04When you're flying back on the transit, you just see red
0:42:04 > 0:42:06all over the place in the corner of your eye
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- with the colour of your suit, it's pretty cool.- Wicked.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16At base, Joe is catching up with his young family in the UK.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18'Can you see Hamish?'
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Awww, hello, Hamish. Hello!
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- 'Daddy!'- Hi. Yeah, hello!
0:42:24 > 0:42:28For the Red Arrows, all focus is on Tuesday's flying test.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Back in Lincolnshire,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34it's on Thursday's coming-home dinner with Daddy.
0:42:34 > 0:42:42- How's bump?- 'Bump's good. Yes. Expanding.'- Expanding rapidly?
0:42:42 > 0:42:44- Are you running out of clothes? - 'Yes.'
0:42:44 > 0:42:48- I'll give you a call back later on if that's OK?- 'Yep, okey-doke.'
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Is that OK? Love you. Bye-bye.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59As the countdown to PDA continues, everyone has their own way
0:42:59 > 0:43:06of preparing for the big day. Some all-action, some a little quieter.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11Joe and Stew decide on a game of golf.
0:43:11 > 0:43:12Sort of.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16I get far more stressed playing damned golf than flying an airplane.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18JOE LAUGHS
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Mate! Beauty!
0:43:20 > 0:43:22I want to see a splash.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24BOTH: Yay!
0:43:44 > 0:43:47On the line, the sun rises on the final day
0:43:47 > 0:43:51of training for Joe, Stew and the rest of the team.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54Today is their PDA.
0:43:54 > 0:43:55Morning.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01Up a little bit early, like an excited school kid
0:44:01 > 0:44:03- on Christmas morning, I guess.- Yeah.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10It's just trying to make everything look hopefully the best we can.
0:44:10 > 0:44:13If they pass, they will have won the right to wear the red suit
0:44:13 > 0:44:15and impress millions of people.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21Today, they only have to impress one.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24AOC arrives at Delta.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28There's coffees being made at the moment.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31SEngO is on the line.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35His team have passed their first tests with flying colours.
0:44:35 > 0:44:3711 jets, ready to go.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42Now, it's over to the pilots.
0:44:42 > 0:44:44Ding-a-ling!
0:44:44 > 0:44:46This is not the time to have an off day.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52Good morning, AOC, it's D-Com Ops. That's the cross section for today,
0:44:52 > 0:44:54hopefully we can ignore the low cloud.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56He says there is some kicking around just south of us.
0:44:56 > 0:44:58It's about 10 miles south at the moment, boss,
0:44:58 > 0:45:00and the little bits that are bubbling up,
0:45:00 > 0:45:03he reckons about 1,200 to 1,500ft, but there will be a few scatters.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05Once that lifts, it will get to about 3,000ft.
0:45:05 > 0:45:07The wind is light all day.
0:45:07 > 0:45:08Good, thank you very much.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11We've done 117 displays to date, so just treat this one
0:45:11 > 0:45:13like it's a normal day. The nerves will get to you a bit,
0:45:13 > 0:45:15but it's good practice for the season.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Certainly for the new guys, this is what you'll feel
0:45:17 > 0:45:20for the first couple of sorties. All right? You'll be fine.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23We're going to start off flat at the Lighthouse. Sir.
0:45:23 > 0:45:25Have a good day.
0:45:29 > 0:45:31Then, a problem.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34It looks like the cloud base is a bit of an issue,
0:45:34 > 0:45:36so they've sent Red 9 up to go and do a quick recce.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49The Met brief was wrong.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51Right. Coffees?
0:45:51 > 0:45:54Never believe number 2's Met brief, ever.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57The sortie is cancelled
0:45:57 > 0:46:01and the pressure gauge goes up one more notch.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04- It's not quite what we'd hoped for. - Thanks. Cheers, sir. Bye.
0:46:04 > 0:46:09That's slipped till 10.15 now because the weather's still bad,
0:46:09 > 0:46:12so I'll let them know and bring them back in.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14Bye-bye.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17Boss, so they reckon exactly as predicted,
0:46:17 > 0:46:20so probably within the next hour, it kind of breaking and lifting.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22- At the moment it's about 1,100ft. - OK.
0:46:22 > 0:46:24- Let's make sure the jets are good to go.- Yeah.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29Rumours spread that the PDA might need to be postponed.
0:46:30 > 0:46:35The boss has heard enough. He wants to assess the situation himself.
0:46:35 > 0:46:38It's certainly no higher than 1,000.
0:46:38 > 0:46:40It seems to be drifting on, as well.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42- Yeah, it is, it's coming from that way.- It's that wind.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45- We'll go for 11 o'clock.- Cool.
0:46:45 > 0:46:4711 o'clock and 1.15pm.
0:46:47 > 0:46:48Right.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51Decision made.
0:46:51 > 0:46:57Sortie one for this year's PDA exam will depart at 1100 hours.
0:46:57 > 0:46:59It's a good test for the team, though.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01It's good to see how Jim has responded to it.
0:47:01 > 0:47:03It's good to see how together they're under pressure on the day.
0:47:03 > 0:47:06This is exactly the sort of pressure they'll feel when they first go
0:47:06 > 0:47:08for their public displays.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12To pass the PDA,
0:47:12 > 0:47:15the team need to successfully complete two different flights.
0:47:17 > 0:47:21First up, the flat display - a version of the full show
0:47:21 > 0:47:23that can be carried out in bad weather back home.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27The wind is actually very variable.
0:47:27 > 0:47:31The current instant wind is 190 at five.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35Red 10 is the team's display supervisor and commentator
0:47:35 > 0:47:38and will talk the AOC through the display.
0:47:38 > 0:47:41He also has a direct line to the boss in the air.
0:47:44 > 0:47:46Straightaway, things start to go wrong.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51Why have we got one over there?
0:47:51 > 0:47:53INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER
0:47:55 > 0:47:58After take-off, Red 7's had a problem with his air brake,
0:47:58 > 0:48:00so his air brake wouldn't come out.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02We need the air brake in the show to control the speed.
0:48:02 > 0:48:04In the air, with one jet out of action,
0:48:04 > 0:48:08the team must now execute the "loser plan",
0:48:08 > 0:48:11and prove to the AOC they can perform under pressure.
0:48:13 > 0:48:17It's made the toughest test of their flying lives even tougher.
0:48:18 > 0:48:19It's been one of these days.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22'Jets, colour on - go.'
0:48:23 > 0:48:25What they ARE doing is exercising the "loser plan",
0:48:25 > 0:48:28and for me, it's excellent to see them actually execute it.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31We do practise it, clearly. Well, now they're being put to the test.
0:48:31 > 0:48:33It'll be interesting to see how they get on with this.
0:48:33 > 0:48:36- It shouldn't be a problem. - But because it's number 6 or 7,
0:48:36 > 0:48:38it'll still be symmetrical, the first half of the display.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41But what we will see is no synchro pair manoeuvres.
0:48:41 > 0:48:43So Red 6 will be doing those manoeuvres on his own.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45We'll see how it goes.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48Now back on the ground, Red 7, Mark,
0:48:48 > 0:48:51so enthusiastic on his bike ride with Stew earlier in the week,
0:48:51 > 0:48:53is heartbroken.
0:48:57 > 0:48:59It's a technical malfunction. Hopefully it's just the switch,
0:48:59 > 0:49:03it's just the relay in the actual switch. So it's nothing,
0:49:03 > 0:49:05it's nothing particularly serious.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08It's just taken me out of the formation on PDA day.
0:49:09 > 0:49:12INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER
0:49:14 > 0:49:15It will add extra pressure
0:49:15 > 0:49:19on an already fairly stressful day, I think.
0:49:19 > 0:49:20Pretty gutted.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28It's the fact that it's PDA day, so you want to have earned your red suit
0:49:28 > 0:49:31at the end of the day. So to be on the ground while they're doing
0:49:31 > 0:49:35the biz is, I would think everybody would understand that.
0:49:35 > 0:49:37Mark is part of the synchro pair.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40Without him, things look very different.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46This is where the timing could be a little bit affected.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52Only the AOC knows whether he will consider this display
0:49:52 > 0:49:54as part of the PDA assessment.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58The team just has to get on with business.
0:50:00 > 0:50:01RADIO: 'OK, go.'
0:50:14 > 0:50:16Ahh, dear...
0:50:16 > 0:50:21One thing is clear. The AOC will want to hear how the team and Red 7
0:50:21 > 0:50:23dealt with the problem in the air.
0:50:25 > 0:50:27I would expect the team to be honest.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30If they have come across a safety issue in that formation,
0:50:30 > 0:50:32for them to then debrief it, and then for me to perhaps discuss it
0:50:32 > 0:50:35with them afterwards in terms of what do we learn from that,
0:50:35 > 0:50:37how do we make sure it doesn't happen again.
0:50:37 > 0:50:40That's probably the most critical factor of this PDA performance today.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43Safety points, I don't think I have any.
0:50:43 > 0:50:46Safety short when we went for the air brake on the re-join,
0:50:46 > 0:50:48and so I had to push to make sure I went underneath him.
0:50:48 > 0:50:50- That's fine.- Yes.
0:50:50 > 0:50:55Good effort. We are going to brief at minute 35.
0:50:56 > 0:50:57Full at the Cliffs, come on.
0:50:57 > 0:51:01- Questions? 2?- No.- 3?- No. - 4?- No.- 5?- No.- 6?- No.
0:51:01 > 0:51:06- 7?- No.- 8?- No.- 9?- No.- 10?- No.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09- Thank you. - Thanks.- Sorry...
0:51:09 > 0:51:13- When did the air brake fail? - Um, I was on the left-hand side.
0:51:13 > 0:51:17I slide in underneath 9, to then slide in behind 6.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21As the air brakes come out, that was when it failed.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25So 6's air brake came out and I had to push to...
0:51:27 > 0:51:29- ..avoid him.- Great.
0:51:29 > 0:51:34If the team needed a reminder of how serious the AOC is taking the PDA,
0:51:34 > 0:51:35they just got one.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38THEY CHAT
0:51:39 > 0:51:43Mark's air brake problem means he needs a spare aircraft.
0:51:43 > 0:51:46Now another jet is in for running repairs.
0:51:47 > 0:51:51What we've just done now is the same as a Formula One team
0:51:51 > 0:51:55changing their tyres on a pit stop and in comparable timings to
0:51:55 > 0:51:57what they do to what we do, it's about the same.
0:51:57 > 0:52:00They do it in about 3.4 seconds, ours is about 3.4 minutes.
0:52:00 > 0:52:02But theirs is a lot easier than ours.
0:52:08 > 0:52:13Finally, three hours behind schedule, Joe and Stew arrive
0:52:13 > 0:52:15for the most important flight of their lives.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20- Mate, all the best.- Enjoy. - See you later.
0:52:20 > 0:52:23Everything they have trained for comes down to this.
0:52:23 > 0:52:24Get this done.
0:52:24 > 0:52:26We'll all be a little bit more stressed,
0:52:26 > 0:52:30and will probably think about it a little bit more before we go.
0:52:31 > 0:52:33It's been a long journey.
0:52:33 > 0:52:36Boyhood dreams and professional pride are on the line.
0:52:38 > 0:52:41Keeping calm is key.
0:52:41 > 0:52:44But so is showing their fellow pilots they're ready for business.
0:52:45 > 0:52:48AOC takes his position at the Cliffs.
0:52:51 > 0:52:54The entire squadron is being tested.
0:52:54 > 0:52:58But right now, the back room team need the pilots to do the business.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04Hundreds of hours of training all hang on the next 40 minutes.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20You're into this little bubble, little zone,
0:53:20 > 0:53:23where we're just concentrating purely on the job at hand,
0:53:23 > 0:53:24and nothing else.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27More people in space, I think, than have flown for the Red Arrows.
0:53:27 > 0:53:29So huge privilege.
0:53:29 > 0:53:32For 2014, the Red Arrows!
0:53:35 > 0:53:39The boss leads them up into the first of 24 manoeuvres.
0:53:39 > 0:53:40They must ace them all.
0:53:40 > 0:53:42You see the jets now collapse to about 8ft apart
0:53:42 > 0:53:46as they form short diamonds. As Red 1 leads them into a loop
0:53:46 > 0:53:48at 400mph.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53The jets now climb to a height of 6,000ft
0:53:53 > 0:53:55and you can see the shape is changing to form a feathered arrow.
0:53:57 > 0:54:01RADIO: 'Right-ah!
0:54:01 > 0:54:03'Right-ah...'
0:54:03 > 0:54:05This is the palm split.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20The synchro pair prepare to draw a heart.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22'Smoke on.'
0:54:22 > 0:54:24At a height of 7,000ft, the smoke comes on.
0:54:33 > 0:54:3611 manoeuvres to go.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39The inside pilots perform tight, matched rolls to the outside,
0:54:39 > 0:54:41give the roll backs.
0:54:50 > 0:54:51PILOT: 'Ahh!'
0:54:53 > 0:54:56Inch perfect at 400mph.
0:54:58 > 0:55:00Now, the boss' big move.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03The Twister.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06Reds 1 to 4 form a box formation...
0:55:06 > 0:55:08PILOT: 'Ha-ha-ha!'
0:55:29 > 0:55:30'Go!'
0:55:46 > 0:55:48Show over.
0:55:48 > 0:55:51The AOC gathers his thoughts.
0:55:51 > 0:55:53It looked good from the Cliffs,
0:55:53 > 0:55:56but will the disrupted morning count against the Reds?
0:56:00 > 0:56:01Oh, yes.
0:56:08 > 0:56:13It won't be 100% guaranteed, but hopefully it's a good show.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16Now for the final reckoning.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19First of all, well done with coping
0:56:19 > 0:56:22with the disappointment of the weather this morning
0:56:22 > 0:56:24that caused the delay. I thought you coped with that very well.
0:56:24 > 0:56:28To do a seven-out flat having not flown it before
0:56:28 > 0:56:30but having briefed it before, and it looked good,
0:56:30 > 0:56:32in terms of the circumstances, so well done on that.
0:56:32 > 0:56:36And for you, Joe and Stew, to come into the team the way that you have,
0:56:36 > 0:56:38you've fitted in well and I think you've performed very well,
0:56:38 > 0:56:41so well done on that. It was a good show.
0:56:41 > 0:56:43I've conferred with D-Com Ops,
0:56:43 > 0:56:45who of course is the Air Force Board Member here,
0:56:45 > 0:56:48to make sure that you are fit to display in public,
0:56:48 > 0:56:49and based on our discussions,
0:56:49 > 0:56:52I'm now prepared to award you Public Display Authority.
0:56:52 > 0:56:56So well done, and really enjoy your 50th season. Congratulations.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59- Well done, Jim.- Thanks very much, Sir.- Thank you, much appreciated.
0:56:59 > 0:57:00- Well done, Joe.- Thank you, Sir.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02They've done it.
0:57:02 > 0:57:05THEY CONGRATULATE ONE ANOTHER
0:57:08 > 0:57:11CORK POPS ALL: Yay!
0:57:11 > 0:57:14- Cheers, well done.- Congrats.- Yeah!
0:57:14 > 0:57:16Here's to a good year.
0:57:16 > 0:57:20Only one thing left to do. Quick change of clothes...
0:57:20 > 0:57:22- Excuse me.- First, the blues...
0:57:24 > 0:57:27Then, after six months of blood, sweat and tears...
0:57:27 > 0:57:28A bit emotional.
0:57:28 > 0:57:33Blues, please put your hands together for the Red Arrows of season 2014!
0:57:33 > 0:57:36BLUES CLAP AND CHEER
0:57:38 > 0:57:41The Reds did the business in the air,
0:57:41 > 0:57:44but it was the Blues that put them there.
0:57:44 > 0:57:46Three cheers for the Blues!
0:57:46 > 0:57:48- Hip, hip...- ALL: Hooray! - Hip, hip...- ALL: Hooray!
0:57:48 > 0:57:50- Hip, hip...- ALL: Hooray!
0:57:51 > 0:57:54To wear this suit and be part of the team is a fantastic achievement,
0:57:54 > 0:57:57to get this far. I'm really proud.
0:57:57 > 0:57:59It's an amazing feeling. HAVING one of these suits,
0:57:59 > 0:58:02never mind WEARING it, is pretty cool.
0:58:02 > 0:58:05It certainly feels probably more special today, you know,
0:58:05 > 0:58:08getting to this stage, than even that first elation,
0:58:08 > 0:58:10finding out you're in the team.
0:58:10 > 0:58:12With another little one on the way,
0:58:12 > 0:58:14Joe has a few more sleepless nights ahead.
0:58:14 > 0:58:16It's a boy, by the way.
0:58:16 > 0:58:18Eventually, Stew wants to fly an air ambulance
0:58:18 > 0:58:20back home in Scotland.
0:58:20 > 0:58:22Next year, Tom Bold, Emmet Cox
0:58:22 > 0:58:24and Michael Bowden will join the Reds.
0:58:26 > 0:58:29But today, this year's team are celebrating,
0:58:29 > 0:58:34because tomorrow, the Red Arrows are coming home.
0:58:34 > 0:58:35- ALL:- Cheers!
0:58:35 > 0:58:40# Birds flying high You know how I feel
0:58:40 > 0:58:45# Sun in the sky You know how I feel
0:58:45 > 0:58:50# Breeze driftin' on by
0:58:50 > 0:58:52# You know how I feel
0:58:52 > 0:58:55# It's a new dawn It's a new day
0:58:55 > 0:58:58# It's a new life
0:58:58 > 0:59:01# For me
0:59:01 > 0:59:03# And I'm feeling good. #