Speedy recovery, Lingy. All the best to the whole team.

Did he have hair before the collision?

On the subject of replacement pilots (the inflatable version above not withstanding!), the Reds do not have them due to the intricacies of learning each of the 9 positions.

I'm not really sure what the implications of this are to the team. I don't expect the team will fly without a Synchro Pair, yet there is no Synchro without a Synchro Leader. I think PDA is still quite a few weeks away but I'm sure Mike Ling's injuries are going to keep him grounded for quite a while.

In the past, a former team member has rejoined the team (Anthony Parkinson) to replace a pilot with a long term illness so I guess this might be an option. Saying that, last year's Synchro Leader was Ben Murphy, but he's now the Team Leader which kinda rules him out!

Anyway, best wishes and a speedy recovery to Flt Lt Ling.

Great that both ok; all the best to the good Flt Lt Ling.

As has been said, airframes are all replaceable.

S41

PS Lingy, get yerself better so that you can finish up this Hawk formation nonsense and get back to Leu to formate on BEARs and BLACKJACKs!

Best wishes from a non-military driver! You chaps have given my family and I great pleasure for many years. I can only stand back and admire your skills (I fell off the bog this morning trying to replace a lightbulb!)

And before anyone asks I meant in the ceiling!!

Some people will do anything to get out of running the London Marathon!;)

Seriously, get well soon fella.

Get the message to them
 

It appers that some on this thread know the involved pilots personally.

At the risk of stating the obvious, might I suggest that one of these posters maybe print out this thread and send it to them? I'm sure they'd be bolstered by the level of support and best wishes most of us are pointing their way.

Red Arrows = the best of British.

With the demise of the Royal Tournament and the sadness that surronds those returning through Wootton Bassett we should all apprciate the admiration, goodwill and support that the Red Arrows generate around the UK and within the public. In addition to that they demonstrate around the world the level of dedication, competance and skill that the members of the british forces work to. In that respect they represent us all. All members of the forces, who perform to a high level, know how hard it is to get there, the impact of the sacrafices they make and how important it is to have support back at home. Support the Reds generate for themselves and everyone.
There can be no price put on this - in my opinion!

Best wishes to the two guys involved, and to the whole team. It was a great privilege to be on the fringes as a Trustee of the Red Arrows Trust in the late 80s and early 90s. You all do a fantastic job for the RAF and for "Team GBR". Speedy recovery to the pilot who ejected.

I'm sure JH would love to come back and do another year at the front, and then BM could go back to flying as Red 6. That said, I'm sure they've been up all night thinking it through and will already have a solution. Perhaps getting Parky back AGAIN was even considered, but he has got just too much ginger hair for the Red 1 or 6 slot. :D

Knowing Lingy, I've no doubt that he will be back in the cockpit ASAP; and no, he didn't have any hair to spaek of before the incident.

Wishing them all the best for another impressive season. :D

Gonna be a close call for Flt Lt Ling. 8 weeks away from the display season and "advised" rest on the shoulder for 6 weeks. However, in the medical world, use of the shoulder is encouraged to get movement back as soon as possible.

They also state to keep away from sports for 6 weeks, is pulling left/right/forward/back on a stick doing aerobatics and pulling 'g' classed as a sport!!!:hmm:

I think this may be one of their toughest challenges: Pulling a team back together without the Synchro Leader who has helped plan and execute major components of the show but I'm sure their finest brains are finding the solution as we speak.

But apart from the temporary loss of a fine pilot, do we know the flying status of the other jet that landed safely? They've lost one aircraft but do they have another back at Scampton on a Minor or Primary maintenance?

Testing times for the best ..

Best wishes for a speedy and painfree recovery from one who has been there. This at the Barnstormers Weston-super-Mare airshow in 1972. It really ruined my day too though I was flying again after two days. A knackered Mark 1 bonedome, slight concussion and bruising like you have never seen down one side plus a totally demolished Stampe was the result. I did find the local hospital nurses easy on the eye though. I wish you the same.

Cheers,

Reaper 69
:ok::ok::ok::ok::ok:

While wishing Mike a speedy recovery, let's not forget Dave and indeed the rest of the team who have a huge problem in front of them this time. There have been many occasions when 'retired' team members have come back to help the team recover from illness and fatals but this combination will take some cracking.

Having seen the 'stretcher' picture, for Mike, as some general is supposed to have said, 'Pass me my red (suit) trousers':)

Get well soon, Sir. (for your own sake)

Can you guys return back to flying duties while the BoI is sitting? I suppose you can.

But what if there is the possibility of blame, here? Surely him or is mate is going to end up with 3 points on his licence.

Is it true that only one of the synchro pair is responsible for missing the other?

I'll bet you all a quid that the manning people are already working out how many techies they can lay off in the event of a synchro-pair-less season.

And I've got 'em booked for my wedding reception! :{

Ahem, so who does one see about the environmental impact statement?


As to the injured Flt Lt Ling (if he is a Flt looie, I can't be bothered to check) will someone please present him with an Arfix model and tell him to get some practice in.....

He's wanted on the rebuild:E

In all seriousness - glad you got out with a pranged shoulder, hope thats all it is, try to get the SMO to give you golf as physio - Want to see you all back in the air asap. I don't like going to airshows JUST for 558.

And someone please make sure the squippers and plumbists get very drunk

Metal and rubber - we'll buy another ( I 'ope).

Pilot - far more valuable

2 F3 mates flying together...

No navs...

No ATC or GCI...

It was never going to end well! ;)

Get well soon Lingy. Never met a bloke who smiles so much! I do hope you're back in the air in the very near future doing what you do best.

Well, it certainly was a headline catcher.

I presume it won't be a regular part of the show . . .

As a bit of a novelty, couldn't they fly really fast towards each other and . . . miss?




Get well soon guys, you could always go for Hawk Mk 2s, they're not doing much.

Last time I saw Mike was on IOT - he had a LOT more hair back then! Get well soon fella!