Red Arrows display set to thrill crowds in Doha

Britain’s famous Red Arrows, one of the world’s premier aerobatic teams, will perform displays in Qatar on November 7.

The team’s nine distinctive red jets will be seen doing precision formations, dynamic loops and rolls in the skies of Doha starting at 2:15pm.

The Doha event, part of a Middle East tour by the Red Arrows team,  is expected to enthral thousands of people who are expected to turn up to watch the aerial show from the Doha Corniche (West Bay end).

“It is a huge honour and privilege to have been invited to the Middle East and have the opportunity to perform our display in so many wonderful locations,” said Squadron Leader Jim Turner, the group’s team leader.

He hopes to give the crowd who are watching from different venues a “spectacular” flying display.

“Just as countless others have already done in 2013, I hope people in all of the locations we will be flying to will come to the display, watch our aerobatics and enjoy the experience,” Turner added

Officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows represent the UK and have been thrilling crowds at home and overseas since the 1960s.

The event in Qatar is part of their five-week tour in the Middle East. They are also expected to complete similar aerial shows in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and the UAE.

Its pilots, all of whom are from frontline squadrons, fly BAE Systems Hawk aircraft. Each has previously operated other Royal Air Force fast jets such as the Tornado or the Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft.

The  aerobatic team, which performed more than 4,500 displays in 54 different countries, will be celebrating their “50th display season” next year.

“The Red Arrows showcase the speed, agility and precision of the Royal Air Force. Our flying display includes a combination of a synchronised formation aerobatics during the first half of the performance, followed by a more dynamic second half,” Turner said.

They also have more than 100 support staff including operations and flight planners, engineering technicians, photographers, safety equipment experts, drivers, a public relations department, suppliers and administrators.

Invited to perform in numerous high-profile events, the team had also helped signal the start of last year’s Olympic Games in London, with a formation flypast of the stadium and opening ceremony.