First Woman ‘Red Arrows’ Pilot Named

May 18, 2009 —She wasn’t the first to apply, but Flight Lt. Kirsty Moore is the first woman to be selected to join the Red Arrows British Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team. Moore will join the team, which is known for its ‘Diamond Nine’ formation, from 2010 until 2012, when it is likely she will fly over the London Olympics, the BBC reported. The 31-year-old pilot currently serves with a Tornado squadron based at RAF Marham in Norfolk, UK. The other new pilot selected for the team is Flight Lt. Ben Blank, 30.The two fast-jet pilots will join the Red Arrows in September 2009 to begin training for their three-year tour with the team, based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. Around 30 Royal Air Force fast-jet pilots apply for the prestigious places on the team each year. But until recently, no female fast-jet pilot had reached the stage in their flying career to fulfill the application criteria, according to a team statement. Successful applicants must have scored better than average marks in their flying career, have flown for a minimum of 1,500 hours and have completed at least one front line tour as a fast-jet pilot. The RAF has had female pilots since 1991, and female fast jet pilots since 1994. However, only 60 out of 2,040 trained pilots are women. The Daily Mail reported Moore had already distinguished herself as one of only 10 women fast jet pilots in the RAF. She was told the news last week as she landed her Tornado jet at a base in Qatar, following a mission in the skies over Iraq. Moore told the Daily Mail she was “delighted and honored” to be selected. “For now, I am focused on my current role but I am looking forward to joining the team later in the year,” she said. The Red Arrows are renowned throughout the world as ambassadors for both the Royal Air Force and the United Kingdom. Since the team was officially formed in 1965, the Red Arrows have completed more than 4,000 displays in 53 countries.

Flt. Lt. Kirsty Moore joins the Red Arrows next year. The Red Arrows perform a maneuver. Photo credit: Red Arrows

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