Red Arrows vs clouds

[Stoney X]

Hello,

Does anybody happen to know what the weather minima is that the Red Arrows set themselves? Bournemouth is forcasting 2000 feet cloudbase during the time of today's display. Is that too low?

Regards
Stoney

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I can't answer chapter and vers regarding their minima but they do have several versions of their display depending on the weather. With a 2000 ft base you'll probably get a "flat" display..

[BOAC]

From my days (NB Gnat - a real aeroplane:) ) 2000 ft would PROBABLY be flat, but depending of the nature of the cloud a roller might have been possible, eg broken, etc. Nothing to stop the team entering cloud - we sometimes did, but the crowd need to see it and if it gets bumpy inside it also gets quite exciting. I recall looping into the base of a CB at Baden-Soellingen and one wingman 'took some leave' and rejoined us later.

The team will always be flexible and the show can go from a 'flattie' to a 'fullie' or 'roller' and back again as the leader and synchro determine.

Hope you get a good show. North east of BOH in Sussex right now you would PROBABLY get a 'fullie', but if the 4/8 is in the wrong place at the wrong time...................... and it will be hard work for the team with this airmass.

[Stoney X]

Thanks for the replies. The display did go ahead with what looked like a "fullie". Brilliant as usual! :D

The Sea Vixon from the museum at Bournemouth preceeded the Red Arrows with it's own display. Really great to see a piece of British aviation history in action.

Regards
Stoney

[MyData]

BOAC - how do you maintain formation / position in cloud?

[BOAC]

'Cloud' is not solid, and you can see varying distances in it. Since normal formation separation is only a few feet you can normally see the next aircraft. Normally, and particularly when there is a lot of 'movement' in the formation, is is important to see as much of the rest of the formation as possible so you do not just react to a sudden movement by your 'neighbour'

On the occasion to which I referred it was bit thicker! The leader got a bit more abuse from us than usual in the debrief:)

[MyData]

That is rather impressive. I'm a low hours PPL taking my IMC rating. Having only been in cloud a couple of times and found it rather unnerving I'm in great admiration to think you do that near the ground, in a relatively fast aircraft, and close to others, and not going straight and level! :eek:

[steveS4SSL]

I got the impression that the show was shorter than normal (no 'arrow through the heart' for instance.

Anyway, I have some pics taken from the sea of the Reds and the Sea Vixen. Not being poster on here, when would I post them for you guys to see? On this thread??

[steveS4SSL]

Ok, no answer and having looked around a bit I didn't see a specific gallery section, so I'll stick the pics here....

Sea Vixen first...
http://www.aviationphotoarchive.com/photos/SV01.jpg

http://www.aviationphotoarchive.com/photos/SV02.jpg

http://www.aviationphotoarchive.com/photos/SV03.jpg

... and then the Reds
http://www.aviationphotoarchive.com/photos/RA01.jpg

http://www.aviationphotoarchive.com/photos/RA02.jpg

http://www.aviationphotoarchive.com/photos/RA03.jpg

http://www.aviationphotoarchive.com/photos/RA04.jpg

:)

[Flaps ten please]

Thanks Steve, great photos!

Whereabouts were you stood during the display? Didn't make it this year but previously very worthwhile view right at the end of Bournemouth Pier.

[angels]

Re the arrows pictures (they're great BTW) - where's the cloud??!!

[steveS4SSL]

Thanks...:)

Whereabouts were you stood during the display?

...about 200ft of the end of the pier...;) I'm doing my powerboat skipper courses at the moment and chartered a RIB for the day. Well worth it, even though it is difficult to take photos with a 400mm lens on a pitching boat! The sea wasn't exactly flat!

My mount for the day (that's me at the controls...)

http://www.aviationphotoarchive.com/photos/boat.jpg

[steveS4SSL]

Re the arrows pictures (they're great BTW) - where's the cloud??!!

Erm, I have plenty of shots with the cloud included! :)

There were some bits of blue sky though.... :)