| 11 May 2009
The sky is NEVER the limit!
The Blades are the UK’s most extreme formation aerobatic display team. With world-class pilots flying high-performance aircraft, The Blades provide awe-inspiring displays of adrenaline, professionalism and trust.As four of the world’s most accomplished aerobatic pilots, The Blades have all served as Royal Air Force combat pilots and members of the Red Arrows. With a combined total of over 20,000 hours flying the most challenging aircraft in existence, The Blades take formation aerobatics to the next level.
Formed in 2006, The Blades have displayed at some of the most prestigious events in the world. Their debut display at The Beckhams’ pre-world cup party was shortly followed by a display for HM The Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations. During a tour in the Middle East, The Blades caught the attention of the world, displaying at the F1 Grand Prix in Bahrain as well as the opening of their Financial Harbour. Continuing at full throttle, The Blades have also performed at the F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, P1 Powerboat Racing and Skandia Cowes Week. They have now entertained a live audience of over 15 million people with their extreme manoeuvres.
The Blades fly high performance two-seat Extra 300 aircraft, allowing them to turning harder and tighter than anyone else. Their award-winning 12-minute display is a breathtaking collection of opposition passes, gyroscopic tumbles and close formation manoeuvres that defy gravity.
There is a shift in dynamic for 2009 as The Blades welcome a new team leader. Myles Garland, previously Blade 4, takes charge as Blade 1, whilst Dave Slow and Andy Evans remain as Blades 2 and 3. Last year’s rookie, Mark Cutmore takes up the prestigious role as the solo display pilot, Blade 4. Keep your eyes peeled though, as there will be guest performances from the original Blade 1; the acclaimed Andy Offer OBE and his eponymous aircraft (G-OFFO).
“Despite the difficult winter weather, this winter has seen a huge amount of hard work.’” said Blade 1, Myles Garland: “Not only did we all retrain in our new positions, we then continued to develop the display manoeuvres and the overall formation precision. We love being back in front of the crowds during the summer season.”
In addition to their public displays, The Blades are also the world’s first aerobatic airline, meaning that they can take fare-paying passengers for the flight of a lifetime. They offer individual experience flights from their home airfield of Sywell in Northamptonshire, as well as corporate events for groups ranging from 1-1000 people. To find out more, visit www.theblades.biz.
Who are The Blades?
Myles Garland – Blade 1Blade 1, Myles Garland (37), is The Blades’ new team leader for 2009. A former Royal Air Force Harrier pilot, Myles flew in operations over Afghanistan, Iraq and the Balkans and was ‘Mentioned in Dispatches’ for his bravery. Myles was also one of the first Royal Air Force pilots to operate from an aircraft carrier. As a pilot with the Red Arrows from 2000 to 2004, Myles was selected as ‘Synchro Leader’, in charge of the section of aircraft who perform the most dynamic moves in the Red Arrows’ display. Despite accruing over 3,000 fast-jet flying hours, Myles is the youngest member of The Blades.
Dave Slow – Blade 2
Blade 2, Dave Slow (40), is in his third season with The Blades and flies on the right hand side of the box formation. Dave joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 21, after getting a taste for flying at university. As a Harrier pilot, Dave saw active service as part of Operation ALLIED FORCE over Kosovo in 1999. After a spell as a Qualified Flying Instructor on the Hawk aircraft, Dave rejoined the Harrier Force as an Electronic Warfare Instructor and the Royal Air Force’s Harrier Display Pilot. After joining the Red Arrows, Dave became the team’s Executive Officer, responsible for day-to-day flying operations. He left the Royal Air Force at the end of tour with the Red Arrows with over 4,000 fast-jet flying hours and joined The Blades just a week later.
Andy Evans – Blade 3
Andy Evans (42) alternates between flying as Blade 2 and Blade 3, making him the only member of team to fly on both the left and right hand side of the formation. Having joined the Royal Air Force as a member of Yorkshire University Air Squadron, Andy was selected to become a Flying Instructor on the Hawk aircraft. He then became a Jaguar pilot, taking part in front-line operations over the Balkans. Andy flew with the Red Arrows for three years before becoming the only Red Arrow pilot to be chosen as the team’s road manager. Before leaving the Royal Air Force to join The Blades, Andy was seconded to Saudi Arabia to train their national aerobatic team: The Saudi Hawks. Andy has over 4,000 fast-jet flying hours and over nine years’ experience as a formation aerobatic pilot.
Mark Cutmore – Blade 4
In only his second year on The Blades, Cutty (39) has taken on the responsibility of solo display pilot and will demonstrate the aircraft to its maximum capability. Cutty is a former Jaguar pilot and saw active service over the Balkans before representing the Royal Air Force as the Jaguar Display Pilot. As a member of the Red Arrows, Cutty was appointed Executive Officer, in charge of flying operations. He became specialist advisor to the Royal Saudi Air Force Aerobatic Team, ‘The Saudi Hawks’, before leaving the Royal Air Force after 20 years of service to join The Blades. Cutty is the newest member of team and has over 3,500 fast-jet flying hours and more than eight years of display flying experience.
Andy Offer – Blade 3 stand-in
The Blades’ former team leader, Andy Offer (43) will take on the challenge of flying within the formation as Blade 3 on some occasions in 2009. Andy has reduced his flying commitments to concentrate on the business development of The Blades’ parent company, 2Excel Aviation Ltd, but his love of flying keeps him in the air. With over 4,500 fast-jet flying hours under his belt, Andy is one of the UK’s most experienced display pilots. At just 22, Andy represented the Royal Air Force as its Jet Provost Display Pilot before moving on to fly the Royal Air Force’s most challenging single-seat aircraft: the Harrier. Andy was selected to fly as a member of the world-famous Red Arrows for three years before becoming Red 1 in 1999. As the Red Arrows’ Commanding Officer, he was responsible for maintaining the team’s world-class reputation and for promoting British excellence around the world. One of the Red Arrows’ youngest-ever team leaders, Andy was promoted to Wing Commander at the age of 35 and was awarded an OBE. He then took charge of one of the RAF’s three frontline Harrier squadrons, leading it on operations in Afghanistan. Andy left the Royal Air Force to co-found The Blades, creating the UK’s only full-time civilian aerobatic display team and the world’s first aerobatic airline.