The Red Arrows are expected to give their first public aerobatic display since the death of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging. Returning to the sky above the Chatsworth Country Fair at 4.15pm on Friday 2 September, the eight other pilots from the team will perform a twenty-four minute display of aerial prowess.
While the inquest into the accident continues, the Hawk T1 aircraft used by the Red Arrows have been cleared for flight and the team’s pilots are ready to go subject to a final test flight today. The Red Arrows were originally scheduled to fly at Chatsworth on Friday and Sunday but the Sunday display has been cancelled, replaced with other aerobatic displays.
The Duke of Devonshire said: “We are delighted that the Red Arrows have decided to take flight again at Chatsworth but of course it will be a day of mixed emotions. There will be thousands of people enjoying the show but it will be tinged with sadness as people remember Flight Lieutenant Egging. I think it will give everybody a greater appreciation of the expertise needed for a display like this and of the enormous risks taken on our behalf by the armed forces.”
Christopher Lloyd Owen, organiser of the Chatsworth Country Fair, added: “We had dedicated this 30th anniversary year to the armed forces before this terrible accident and the decision of the Red Arrows to return to action here makes it especially poignant. The Country Fair has always had a strong link to the three services and this year is no exception – as well as the Red Arrows we have the REME Band, the Musical Ride of the Household Cavalry, the Tigers Freefall Team of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, and - representing the Navy - the Portsmouth Action Field Gun Club.”
Held in the park of Chatsworth, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the Chatsworth Country fair is celebrating its 30th anniversary - the three day event takes place from 2 to 4 September 2011. For more information visit www.treasurehouses.co.uk
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