<p>Is the Red Arrows' flying dangerous?
</p><p>Red Arrows pilots are amongst the most highly qualified and experienced within the Royal Air Force, and safety is of paramount importance in all their activities. They have all been selected for their above average flying skills and are all proficient at formation flying before they are considered for selection to the Team. All pilots are subject to rigorous annual examination by the Royal Air Force Central Flying School, a standards organisation, and all pilots fly regular sorties in Hawk flight simulators to test emergency handling and procedures. The Red Arrows adhere strictly to military flying and engineering regulations, and every sortie flown by the Red Arrows is recorded by the Team’s safety cameraman for flight safety/debriefing purposes.
</p><p>All pilots undergo a rigorous winter training programme. In the early part of the training season the pilots fly in small groups of four, five or six aircraft. As the months pass and they gain experience, the number of aircraft in the formation is gradually increased and the base height lowered. Usually by mid-January, British weather permitting, the Team will be practising with nine aircraft at display heights.
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The maintenance of the Hawk aircraft is subject to extremely strict controls and set procedures, and all work carried out is thoroughly supervised and independently checked. Furthermore, the Hawk aircraft is designed with comprehensive backup systems which can be employed if the primary system ceases to function
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/48215073@N00">Santosh Puthran</a>
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<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/talk2santosh/9659054521/">Red Arrows Bournemouth Airshow 2013</a>