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.

We're enjoying a terrific start to the 2024 season with excursions to Shuttleworth and RAF Cosford. Sadly the Abingdon show organisers were obliged to postpone due to late issues with the MOD  who are the Landowners. It has now been rescheduled to 21st September 2024.

In addition we've added a few new members to the Squadron, who will undoubtedly enhance our offering to the UK Airshow scene. 

Late (confirmation) events include Wallop Wheels and Wings, organised by the Museum of Army Flying which will see a number of us back in Hampshire for the day enjoying some nostalgia.

Additionally we've agreed to fly ZB-627 into RAF Odiham for a static display on their families day. Historians amongst you may know that ZB-627 spent much of her life at Odiham as an (NVG) route reconnaissance aircraft for 7 Sqn RAF when conducting sorties on Night Vision Goggles (NVG), she featured a unique green livery, which she now sports once again. (As shown)

The reception we receive from or display audiences is truly humbling and our displays clearly invoke many fond memories amongst those that have been blessed to work with this wonderful aircraft in previous decades. 

It's clear that they appreciate our efforts and the very many messages of support on social media are hugely appreciated.     

Our Lynx renovation project (XZ-678) is progressing nicely...

2024 is under way and the shows just keep on coming - it's set to be our busiest year ever!   

Over the coming weeks we have an intensive weekend of flying training and getting back into the saddle under the watchful eyes of the CAA who will be assessing us for our Display Authorisations. (DA's).

Without a CAA issued DA, no pilot can fly a display routine.  

We headed West to Weston-Super-Mare in mid-April to present a £2,500 cheque to The Helicopter Museum to support their Military History weekend and help them to continue their great work in preserving rotary aviation's heritage.

A latecomer to our show calendar is the Teignmouth Airshow which gives us a very busy July - The full list of 2024's events schedule can be found on our events page.

Our next public event is a four ship aerial display in support of our good friends at the Abingdon Air & Country Show on 18th May.

2024 is going to be a busy year!  

Already we have a number of solid bookings including our return to the Cosford Airshow in early June. It's been a long time since we were at Cosford, so naturally we're absolutely delighted that it's on this year's list.

The full list of 2024's events schedule can be found here.

It's been a quiet winter, we flew Father Christmas in to Naomi House which is our chosen charity and at Easter (March) we'll be returning with the Easter Bunny to deliver chocolates and smiles to everyone including the staff.  

Meanwhile the crews are busily ticking all of the statutory boxes with our annual CAA licence and Display authorisation checks over the next few weeks and we have an extremely local (3 x aircraft) static display at Steventon to support the opening of new premises at the military gallery - a fine art gallery specialising in military and aviation art. 

In mid - May we are once again being welcomed by our good friends at the Abingdon Air & Country Show.

The work on XZ678 our ex Army Lynx AH7 is progressing nicely, it's complete overhaul is very well underway and she is firmly on track to return to the skies. 

A number of the Squadron last flew her in 1987 when she was a Mk 1 Lynx and are understandably very excited to be involved with seeing her fly once again.