On this extended Full Flaps edition we are absolutely thrilled to be chatting to Ex Red Arrow, Sqn Ldr Dave Thomas.  Dave joined the Red Arrows in 2001 as Red 2 (The easy side!) and then progressed to Synchro Pair (Red 7) and then finally Synchro Lead – Red 6 – in the 2004 Season!

After joining the Royal Air Force in 1988 as an Airman - Dave progressed to Pilot and joined the Reds from the Harrier Force – where he had excelled as a Qualified Weapons Instructor – undertaking Reds selection in 2001.  In our interview he chats to the whole Top Landing Gear team all about a tour with the Red Arrows - including selection, the work up, displays, World tours, what happens when things go off plan and finally leaving the team after his final display.

The interview is so compelling we have split it into two parts.