The Royal Air Force's Red Arrows aerobatic display team has begun flying rehearsals to appear at its first public event since suffering a fatal incident on 20 August.
Eight of the team's distinctive BAE Systems Hawk T1s were photographed during training at RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire on 30 August.
The Red Arrows aircraft had been returned to their home base on 27 August, after a temporary grounding order imposed following the death of Flt Lt Jon Egging had been lifted. The pilot of Red 4 was killed when his aircraft came down shortly after the team had taken part in the second of three planned appearances at the Bournemouth Air Festival.
The Ministry of Defence had on 25 August removed the operating restrictions imposed on the Hawk T1 fleet, after an initial report had identified no critical safety recommendations.
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Both images © Albanpix/Rex Features |
Team leader Sqn Ldr Ben Murphy issued a statement thanking members of the public for their support following the accident, and said: "In Jon's memory, the Red Arrows will be displaying to the public again at the earliest possible opportunity."
The team plans to resume public appearances "subject to a successful period of consolidation and approval to display" using an eight-aircraft routine rehearsed as part of their pre-season preparations.
Previous plans had seen the Red Arrows' 2011 display schedule due to run until 25 September.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
