Taking a flight with the Blades

A birds-eye view with the Blades

The Blades are among the world's best aerobatic pilots, flying the ultimate in high-performance piston aircraft.

The Blades' pilots are all former Red Arrows, and between them have more than 20 years of display experience on Harriers, Jaguars, Hawks, Jet Provosts and even Boeing Stearman biplanes.

Blade 1 pilot, Myles Garland is the 2009 Blades leader. He used to fly with the Red Arrows between 2000-2002.

He took Rod Whiting for a flight with The Blades Display Team.

The Blades made their public debut display at the Beckhams' pre-World Cup party in 2006 and since then they have flown in over 300 displays at events such as the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix.

Unlike the Red Arrows, for a fee, you can actually fly with The Blades during one of their corporate flying events.

The Aircraft

Flying upside down with The Blades

The Blades fly an aircraft called the Extra 300 LP. It is 6.94 metres long, 2.62 metres high and it has a wing span of 8 metres. The aircraft has a manoeuvring speed of 158 Kts (knots true airspeed).

The Pilots

Blade 1 pilot Myles Garland is the 2009 Blades leader. In 2000 Myles joined the Red Arrows and flew with them for the 2000-2002 display seasons. At the age of 29, Myles was promoted to Squadron Leader and was chosen to fly as part of the famous 'Syncho Pair'.