The biggest air show in Greece, Athens Flying Week (AFW) Tanagra International Air Show 2017, was completed on the weekend of September 16 and 17, at the Tanagra Air Base and OnAlert spoke to Squadron Leader Cate Driscoll, the Red Arrows Team Manager during the demonstration.
Of course, the Hellenic Air Force’s «Zeus» F-16 Demo Team and the T-6 A «Daedalus» Demo Team, along with other Greek aircraft also took part during this year’s air show in Greece. In addition the Polish Air Force with the MIG-29 Demo Team, their new F-16 Tiger Polish Demo Team and the Bialo- Iskry Team, the Belgian Air Force with the F-16 Solo Display Team also appeared in the blue Tanagra sky.
The famous Royal Air Force RED ARROWS impressed the public once again. Squadron Leader Cate Driscoll, their Team Manager spoke to us during the Αir Show in Tanagra.
How long have you been with the Red Arrows?
I’ve been with the Red Arrows nearly three years. It’s a very challenging experience as I am the team manager, I go everywhere with the pilots and I make sure they have everything they need for the display. I do everything that is not enginering, or flying.
What’s the process behind beocoming a red Arrow pilot?
Since somebody becomes a red Arrow pilot, they have to have above 1,500 flying hours and above average reports. They have to get through a rigorous flying test and they actually have to enclose every interview that they have done in the past.
Could you describe a typical working day for a Red Arrow pilot?
It depends on the time of year for the Red Arrows. In the winter time when we are doing training they will fly three times a day. In the summer when they are doing the display season, they can fly twice a day during the display at different locations and also they do fly passes as well.
It’s not the first time you come to Greece for Athenes Flying Week show with the Red Arrows…
So we where here in May when we came to do our practice here, and we also came the year before.
Did you enjoy the show?
We love the show, it’s brilliant and we love the blue sky. It means that we can do our full display and it is a really huge privilege to be here.
Did you like the greek air demonstration teams?
Everyone was brilliant, and it was really good watching everybody.