Virgin 747-400 to accompany Red Arrows flypast at Biggin Hil

[maddog65]

DATE:22/04/09
SOURCE:Flight International
Virgin 747-400 to accompany Red Arrows flypast at Biggin Hill
By David Kaminski-Morrow

Virgin Atlantic Airways is to fly a Boeing 747-400 in formation with the Royal Air Force aerial display team, the Red Arrows, at an upcoming UK air show.

The flypast will take place at the International Air Fair, to be held at the historic Biggin Hill airfield, on 28 June.

Virgin Atlantic is participating in the show as part of the celebrations to mark the long-haul carrier's 25th anniversary, which coincides in the same week as the show.

The 747-400 will accompany a V-formation comprising the nine Red Arrows BAE Systems Hawk T1 trainers, led by wing commander Jas Hawker.

Virgin Atlantic president Sir Richard Branson says the chance to take part in the show is a "very welcome honour", particularly because many of the airline's pilots are ex-RAF personnel.

Thirteen 747-400s are among the aircraft in the Virgin Atlantic fleet.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... iggin.html

This really flew me for a loop. I never heard of an aerial demonstration team doing a formation with a civilian aircraft, at least not an american team. Then I started looking around and it seems that the Red Arrows do this quite often.

Les

[nickblack423]

This really flew me for a loop. I never heard of an aerial demonstration team doing a formation with a civilian aircraft, at least not an american team. Then I started looking around and it seems that the Red Arrows do this quite often.

Les

Oh yes they fly in formation with all sorts of stuff mate. Most Famously Concorde.

Nick

[Keith Jones]