Red Arrows Tracker - Formation Routes, Displays & NOTAMs

Red Arrows Display Sequence

A guide to the 2026 display — formation structure, manoeuvres, display profiles, the training cycle, and how the team earns the right to perform.

✈ Formation Aerobatics 🎯 7–9 Aircraft Configurations 📅 2026 Season 📡 RAF Display Structure
✈ The Display at a Glance

The Red Arrows' aerobatic display is revised every season, shaped by training progress, safety requirements and operational conditions. While the overall structure remains consistent year to year, the exact sequence and timing of manoeuvres can vary between displays.

A typical full display lasts around 20–25 minutes and is divided into two broad phases. The opening section focuses on tight close-formation aerobatics demanding absolute synchronisation. The second half is more dynamic — featuring higher-energy manoeuvres, rapid formation changes and opposition flying from the Synchro Pair.

👥 Formation Structure

In standard aerobatic displays the team flies as a seven-aircraft formation (Reds 1–7). For flypasts and ceremonial occasions this expands to all nine aircraft, with Reds 8 and 9 joining to form the full diamond.

1
Red 1 — Team Leader
Flies at the apex of the formation. Selects the display profile, calls all manoeuvres over radio and is responsible for display safety.
2–5
Reds 2–5 — Enid
The front five-aircraft section, named after Enid Blyton. Fly in close echelon and arrowhead formations throughout the first phase.
6–7
Reds 6 & 7 — Synchro Pair
Part of the Hanna section. Peel away mid-display to perform high-speed opposition and mirror manoeuvres — the most visually dramatic element of the show.
8–9
Reds 8 & 9 — Hanna (outer)
Join for nine-aircraft formations at flypasts and selected displays. Named after one of the team's early leaders.
10
Red 10 — Supervisor & Commentator
Operates independently from the ground. Maintains continuous radio contact with the Team Leader, monitors the display for safety and provides public commentary at each event.
☁️ Display Profiles

The Team Leader selects the display profile based on cloud base and visibility at the time of the display. Three profiles are authorised, each adapted to the prevailing weather:

Clear skies
Full Display
☁️ Cloud base above 5,500ft
The complete sequence with full looping aerobatics, vertical manoeuvres and opposition work from the Synchro Pair.
Partial cloud
Rolling Display
☁️ 2,500ft – 5,500ft
Loops replaced with rolls, wing-overs and steep turns. Still visually impressive — the full team remains in the air throughout.
Low cloud
Flat Display
☁️ Below 2,500ft
Restricted to flypasts, sweeping turns and non-looping manoeuvres. Used when higher-energy aerobatics cannot be performed safely.
🎯 Display Manoeuvres

The display is built around a structured sequence of formation transitions and aerobatic manoeuvres, adapted each season. The following elements form the core of a typical 2026 full display:

1
Amateur Battle to 7 Arrow Enid
The opening sequence — the full formation assembles and transitions into the core 7-Arrow shape to open the display.
2
7 Arrow Present & Reversal Full
The 7-Arrow formation is presented to the crowd before a precise directional reversal brings the team back across the display line.
3
Eagle Loop Full
A high-energy looping manoeuvre flown in tight formation — one of the most recognisable elements of the full display.
4
Blackbird Reversal
A precision formation transition named for its sweeping, bird-like shape as the team changes direction.
5
Big 7 Roll & Rollbacks Full
A synchronised rolling sequence across the full seven-aircraft formation, followed by individual rollbacks back into formation.
6
Tornado into Diamond Enid
A fast formation transition that collapses into the Red Arrows' signature Diamond shape — always a crowd favourite.
7
Diamond Split (¾ Cross) Full
The Diamond formation separates in a high-impact crossing break, with aircraft tracking in opposing directions simultaneously.
8
Twister
A fast opposition manoeuvre where sections of the formation cross at high speed in a spiralling, twisting pattern.
9
Hanna Break into Boomerang
The Hanna section breaks away from the main formation and regroups in the Boomerang shape — marking the transition to the second half of the display.
10
Serpent Synchro
A flowing, curved manoeuvre flown by the Synchro Pair while Enid performs separately — one of the first moments where two independent elements fill the display box.
11
Heart & Spear Synchro
The Synchro Pair draw a smoke heart above the display line before one aircraft dives through the centre — the defining image of the Red Arrows display.
12
Vertical Break / Sidewinder / Goose / Cascade Synchro
A high-energy closing sequence of break and recovery manoeuvres — fast, low and loud — bringing the display to its finale.
📅 Training Cycle

The Red Arrows begin preparing for the next season almost immediately after the previous one ends. The cycle is relentless — new pilots join, formations grow, and the display is rebuilt from scratch each year.

🍂
October – November
Season Ends & Rebuild Begins
The previous season concludes. New pilots join the team and winter training begins with small formations of three to four aircraft, rebuilding fundamentals from the ground up.
❄️
November – February
Winter Formation Training
Formation size increases progressively as confidence and precision improve. Pilots typically fly multiple sorties per day, with detailed briefings and video debriefs after every flight. A full sortie block — brief, fly, debrief — typically lasts around two hours.
☀️
February – April
Exercise Springhawk
The team deploys overseas — typically to Greece — where more stable weather allows intensive formation flying and final display refinement. The full nine-aircraft display is flown repeatedly to build consistency ahead of the season.
✅
April – May
Public Display Authority
An official assessment is conducted by the RAF. Once Public Display Authority (PDA) is granted, pilots transition into their iconic red flying suits and ground crew into blue display coveralls — the formal start of the display season. Displays cannot take place until PDA is awarded.
✈️
May – October
Display Season
The team performs at airshows, flypasts and events across the UK and overseas. On busy days, multiple displays may be conducted, operating from different locations — often without returning to base between events.
All information is provided for general reference. Display sequences, manoeuvres and operational details may change without notice due to RAF operational requirements, weather and aircraft serviceability. Unofficial fan site — not affiliated with the RAF or Ministry of Defence.