2025 is now underway for the team - the shows are slowly being confirmed and the Team are all in the final stages of their annual proficiency assessments, medicals and Licence checks.

Meanwhile, our engineers have been under considerable pressure since Falcon Aviation acquired the remaining Gazelles from the Army's fleet at the tail end of 2024 and to that end they are looking to secure additional support in the engineering department - next week's CAA engineering audit, although obligatory, is adding to the pressure that they are under.

We've already done a couple of very low key static displays - one at a local VE Day celebration and the other in support of Airbus Helicopters "Cars and 'Copters" event at Oxford.

There are a few new faces to the team on the flying side of things - we say  a big hello to Steve Kadera, ex RN and on the ground we say a fond farewell to Chris Gillum-Webb who has hung up his tool box keys and who, without doubt, will be very sorely missed. We all thank him for everything he's done to keep us safe and wish him a long and happy retirement.

We are mindful that this year events are likely to suffer due to the fact that many are organised and funded by local authorities, virtually all of which are under the cosh financially. Click here to view our full list of shows.

We are absolutely delighted to announce our ongoing relationship with Airbox who we cannot thank enough.  Airbox (ACANS) software has been developed from their RunwayHD product as a  bespoke Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) system to support the Emergency Services and their aviation activities, Police, Air Ambulances, Search and Rescue etc. With the continuing increase in  low-level drone operations and the complexities of Airspace restrictions, much of which is temporary and "show specific," having this software to Navigate, manage our aircraft and communicate electronically with one another is simply a massive step up in our Flight Safety processes.

We very much look forward to operating in the safer environment that ACANS gives us and look forward to helping Airbox develop their product further (if that's possible!)  and it goes without saying that we are very much enjoying the prospect of performing for airshow enthusiasts throughout 2025. 

As we step into 2025 and having recovered from our Christmas party, the team would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy year ahead.  Our priority, as always will be Safety as we continue to entertain airshow enthusiasts throughout the forthcoming season.

Some of you may be aware that during the latter part of 2024 we managed to secure access to a few more aircraft,  once fully certified we hope these will serve to prolong yet further the legacy of the Gazelle helicopter. In addition we also have a new hangar in which to house them,  so team headquarters has been a busy place over recent months.

2024 was without doubt our busiest year yet despite a very slow start. We displayed at a dozen or so airshows across England, Scotland and Wales plus a handful of static displays and charity events.  Display organisers continue to face a raft of challenges and their obligations to satisfying regulations and financial pressures are ever-present.

Our Lynx project is still on track and slowly edging closer to completion despite the arrival of the new Gazelles pushing it back a little. Importantly we envisage no significant hurdles in fulfilling the project and are increasingly confident that XZ 678 will take to the skies once more, albeit slightly later than we had initially hoped.

Our 2025 calendar is empty, the next few months will hopefully see it filling whilst we continue to work towards fulfilling our regulatory (CAA) obligations and of course prepare the aircraft in preparation for another safe and successful season.   

Since 2012, if not earlier, The Gazelle Squadron Display Team has supported Naomi House & Jack's Place, a Childrens Hospice in Hampshire. We raise funds via collections tins at our static events and of course we fly The Easter Bunny and Father Christmas in to visit the children. 

On 14th December we will once again be flying Father Christmas in with a sack-full of gifts for the children and once again Bruce and Paul, the Owners of the Display Team will be donating presents for Father Christmas to give to the Children. 

Please can we ask that you consider joining us in supporting them by either donating via their website, or if you prefer you can deliver any presents you may wish to donate to The Gazelle Squadron HQ at Landmead Airstrip before the 14th December.  Alternatively please visit Naomi House's website, read a few of the testimonials of the essential work that they do and please consider donating.

It's been a very busy year for us so far, made even busier by a number of late confirmations into our show calendar, namely Bournemouth and Ayr, we remain busy from late August through until the end of September, with Longleat and Abingdon finishing off our 2024 show season.

In addition we have an intensive display training and assesment programme in the next few weeks, which, if succesful will secure additional airborne Flight Diplay Director (AFDD) qualificatons for us, these will broaden our capacity to provide self administered aerial displays at private events.  

Our aircraft continue to perform well with terrific serviceability rates - testimony to the skill and endeavour of our engineers. 

Finally, we have to tip our hat to Airbox Systems, who, for many years have provided us with unrestricted access to their RunwayHD flight planning software and the news of the product's retirement has been met with heavy-hearts throughout the Team.

We would like to publically thank Airbox Systems for their past support and wish them every success for the future.