Red Arrows' new faces: Meet the RAF team's latest arrivals for 2022
The Red Arrows have confirmed three new pilots who will be flying for them in the 2022 display season.
Squadron Leader Graeme Muscat (Red 10) and Flight Lieutenants Stuart Roberts (Red 2) and Patrick Kershaw (Red 3) have begun preparations for the team's 58th display season.
The Red Arrows are the Royal Air Force's aerobatic display team, with the new pilots set to perform around the UK and overseas next year in the Reds' 58th season.
Each of the new joiners is an RAF officer, having all previously flown Typhoon or Tornado aircraft on operations, with frontline tour experience one of the key criteria for new Reds pilots.
The pilots succeed those leaving after the end of the 2021 campaign – including Squadron Leader Steve Morris, who is pursuing a commercial airline career after two stints with the Red Arrows.
Watch: What's next once you have flown for the Red Arrows twice?
Meet the new pilots
Flt Lt Stu Roberts is the new Red 2.
The 35-year-old was born in Germany at RAF Wegberg, and joined the Royal Air Force in 2009, flying Typhoons, including on NATO air policing duties in Estonia and Quick Reaction Alert tasks in the UK and Falkland Islands.
He says he can "vividly remember seeing the team display as a young boy".
Flt Lt Patrick Kershaw is the new Red 3.
The Huddersfield-born 36-year-old joined the RAF in 2006, after being a member of East Midlands Universities Air Squadron while studying at Leicester's De Montfort University.
He was selected to fly fast-jets and, following training, was posted to the Tornado GR4 at RAF Marham. During his time on the Tornado he took part in operations over North Africa and the Middle East as well as numerous multinational exercises, before flying Typhoons from RAF Coningsby.
Flt Lt Kershaw said flying for the Red Arrows for the next three years is a "privilege and honour".
The new Red 10 is Squadron Leader Graeme Muscat.
He succeeds Squadron Leader Adam Collins, who has been in the role since 2017.
The role of Red 10 differs to the rest of the team, acting as a safety supervisor and being a key point of contact with Red 1 during flights.
They are also the voice of the team, commentating at team displays.
The 46-year-old Sqn Ldr Muscat joined the RAF in 1995, beginning pilot training eight years later.
He flew the Tornado GR4 on the frontline as well as in multinational exercises and, more recently, he has been a Flight Commander on the Hawk T2 at RAF Valley.
Prior to his military service, Sqn Ldr Muscat was an air cadet.
"I can remember being one of the crowd at airshows, both as a child and as a young adult, watching not only the Red Arrows but any military flying and just being awestruck," he said.
"As you can see from my career path, I didn't join direct as a pilot and had to work up through the ranks because I never let go of my dream and aspirations."
Red Arrows display pilots must have 1,500 flying hours behind them, have completed an operational tour, and be considered above average in their flying role to be eligible to join the team.
The selection process involves flying tests, interviews and peer assessments.
Pilots usually spend three years with the team, although personnel can have more than one spell with the Reds.
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