If ever there was a salutary reminder of the RAF / RN fast jet status is to fly general aviation around Scotland. Twenty years ago my innermost worry when flying outside controlled airspace in a light aircraft was going head to head with a 420 knot phantom / tornado / harrier / jaguar / buccaneer / hawk. Not any more, never see a fast jet. I used to love seeing a fj whipping through the valleys and glens. The red arrows, brilliant though they are and have been are probably slightly past their sell by date. I say that with heavy heart as I always enjoyed their superlative displays and have flown with many ex team members in the airline context.