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WATCH: Meet The New Red Arrows Pilots

A new line-up of Red Arrows pilots has begun training for the 2018 season - the Royal Air Force’s 100th anniversary year.

The latest appointments to the RAF Aerobatic Team will spend seven months training for next season.

Among the pilots is a new Team Leader – Squadron Leader Martin Pert, who will be the team's Red 1.

Completely new to the Red Arrows, are Flight Lieutenants Jon Bond and David Stark, who passed a tough team recruitment process.

To apply to join the Red Arrows, RAF pilots need to have at least 1,500 fast-jet flying hours, to have completed a frontline tour and be assessed as above average in their flying role.

If they make the shortlist, they then have to attend a week-long selection of tests, interviews and peer review:

The 2018 team:

Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team: Wing Commander Andrew Keith
Red 1 and Team Leader: Squadron Leader Martin Pert
Red 2: Flight Lieutenant Jon Bond
Red 3: Flight Lieutenant David Stark
Red 4: Flight Lieutenant Chris Lyndon-Smith
Red 5: Flight Lieutenant Dan Lowes
Red 6 and Synchro Leader: Flight Lieutenant Si Taylor
Red 7 and Synchro Two: Flight Lieutenant Toby Keeley
Red 8 and Executive Officer: Flight Lieutenant Matt Masters
Red 9: Flight Lieutenant Mike Bowden
Red 10 and Supervisor: Squadron Leader Adam Collins

Red 1 - Squadron Leader Martin Pert

It is Sqn Ldr Perts' second time flying as part of the team, having been a team pilot between 2012 and 2014.

He is now returning following a tour flying the Typhoon aircraft on the frontline.

Born in Scotland but educated at Parmiter’s School, Garston, Squadron Leader Pert was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 2000.

Team Leaders are always former Red Arrows display pilots and are responsible for all aspects of the aerobatic show, running the training programme and creating the routines.

He succeeds Squadron Leader David Montenegro, whose three-year tour with the team officially finishes this month.

The 37-year-old said: “Whether it is simply taking time to wave at an airport, or engaging at the numerous science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) events the team support, I’m looking forward to engendering more ways to keep young people interested in all things flying.

“During my previous tour on the team I was proud of seeing the impact the Red Arrows team had on youngsters.

“Having also seen the effect digital media has had in just the three years since I was last on the team, I will also be keen to embrace novel ways to bring the Red Arrows, and the Royal Air Force, to more people.”

Red 2 - Flight Lieutenant Jon Bond

Flight Lieutenant Bond, who was born in Epping and attended Chigwell School before going to Loughborough University, joined the Royal Air Force in 2006 and has also flown the Typhoon operationally.

The 33-year-old, who will fly as Red 2 in 2018, said: “My dream was to become a pilot from a very young age and through a series of fortuitous opportunities it eventually became a reality.

“I used to drag my parents around to airshows across the UK when I was a boy and the Red Arrows were probably the main attraction for that.

“We lived next to North Weald airfield and I used to see them from the back garden whenever they were displaying there and can remember saying that’s what I wanted to do!”

Red 3 - Flight Lieutenant David Stark

Born in Geneva, Switzerland, before moving to the UK, Flight Lieutenant Stark was educated at Nottingham High School. He joined the Royal Air Force in 2005.

Formerly a Tornado GR4 pilot, flying operationally.

The 35-year-old said: “It will be an incredible challenge but I can’t wait to earn the honour of wearing the red flying suit with everything that it represents.

“The Red Arrows reflect the excellence of the UK Armed Forces and the nation as a whole.

“Core values such as determination, professionalism, teamwork and innovation are vital to the delivery of the flying displays and can be found in every member of team, from engineers to aircrew.

“I’m very proud to be in a position to fly for the team and help to highlight such fundamental UK values.”

Red 10 - Squadron Leader Adam Collins

Also joining the team is a new Red 10 – the Squadron’s Supervisor – and the first change in this position since 2011.

Squadron Leader Adam Collins takes over from Squadron Leader Mike Ling, who completed a record six consecutive seasons.

Squadron Leader Collins attended Solihull School in the West Midlands, where he was a member of the Combined Cadet Force and received an RAF Sixth Form Scholarship.

He went on to study aeronautics and astronautics at Southampton University and was a keen member of the University Air Squadron where he flew the Bulldog at Boscombe Down.

After completing fast-jet flying training, Squadron Leader Collins’ first operational tour was flying the Tornado GR4.

The 39-year-old said: “I will have the opportunity to fly regularly with the team, both in the backseat during rehearsals and also as the pilot of the 10th aircraft, transiting between displays and photo-chasing formations.

“The Red 10 role is certainly unique and its sheer variety is what really appeals.

“I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to give people a greater understanding of what we do, through conversation or display commentary, which will be very rewarding."

Officer Commanding - Wing Commander Andrew Keith

A former Red Arrows display pilot has also recently returned to the team to take overall responsibility for the Squadron.

Wing Commander Andrew Keith officially took over as Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (OC RAFAT), in August – succeeding Wing Commander Martin Higgins.

He is responsible for the Squadron’s flying, engineering, administrative and safety matters.

Wing Commander Keith was commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1994 and graduated as a fast-jet pilot.

He transferred to the Royal Air Force in December 2001, completing frontline tours flying the Harrier and was selected to be a Red Arrows pilot from 2007 to 2009.

Wing Commander Keith said: “The Red Arrows approach the next season having completed a highly-successful 2017 campaign, which included a month-long overseas tour supporting UK interests across the Middle East and displaying to millions of people.

“The focus now is on detailed preparation, with careful planning and training taking place across the Squadron – both in the air and on the ground – to produce a display that will be part of the RAF100 events and activities."

The Red Arrows are known for thrilling crowds around the world, reaching speeds of over 600 miles per hour and leaving their iconic coloured vapour trails.