THE team leader of the Red Arrows is ‘confident’ that air displays have a future in Jersey and elsewhere.
As he prepares to fly with the team for the last time in Jersey, Tom Bould – also known as Red 1 – said that this year had been as busy for them ‘as it has ever been’, despite the cancellation of one of the UK’s biggest airshows.
Jersey’s display had also looked uncertain this year, but it was saved by a last-ditch call for funding made by organisers.
Rising concern over climate change has placed pressure on air displays internationally, including the Sunderland Airshow, which has been axed indefinitely.
Sunderland City Council last year confirmed that there were ‘no future plans’ to stage the event, citing an intention to make the city carbon neutral by 2040 among the reasons for the decision.
However, Red 1 – who will soon be retiring from the team – said he was sure air displays had a future.
‘This year has been as busy for us as it has ever been. We’ve had 70-plus displays and more people have wanted a display.
‘Climate change is an interesting one. It’s something that we are very aware of in the Royal Air Force, and it’s something that we are looking to improve. There is a pathway for aviation fuels and to try and make the whole thing net-zero. So we are as a whole moving towards that.’
He also said he hoped the team could continue to fly in Jersey’s display.
The #RedArrows have just arrived at Jersey airport, ready for displays tomorrow in the Channel Islands. #Jersey #Guernsey pic.twitter.com/eZ0LQmrMtf
— Red Arrows (@rafredarrows) September 13, 2023
‘Personally, this is my sixth time flying in Jersey with the Red Arrows – and this will be my final one. We do three years on the team and I had three years previously as a team pilot and I’ve done three years as a team leader. So this will be my final one – I’m looking forward to it.
‘Jersey is really good for us, actually. It’s over the sea but the bay is its own kind of amphitheatre. So for us to be able to perform in front of it, it’s actually a great backdrop for us.’
International Air Display organiser Mike Higgins also said the local event ‘definitely’ had a future – revealing he was already planning for next year.
‘When you are doing an air display – it isn’t done in a matter of weeks and months. For some things you are applying two or three years in advance,’ he added.
Writing in the foreword of this year’s JEP Air Display supplement, Mr Higgins thanked the individuals and companies who came forward ‘at the eleventh hour’ to save the display ‘for the benefit of Islanders and the tourists who come to the Island to watch it’.
He said the organisers were also grateful for the £60,000 grant received from the Economic Development Department.
As well as the Red Arrows, the French equivalent, Patrouille de France, will be appearing this year – and are currently celebrating their 70th anniversary.
Aircraft from Sweden, the Battle of Britain memorial trio of the Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire, and one the RAF’s newest planes, the Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, are among the other scheduled acts.
* FREE Air Display poster in today’s JEP.
