Red Arrows resume public displays

The Red Arrows are to perform in public for the first time since one of their pilots was killed in a jet crash.

Flt Lt Jon Egging, 33, from Rutland, died when his Hawk T1 aircraft crashed into a field in the village of Throop, near Bournemouth Airport, on 20 August.

The team will fly at RAF Linton-on-Ouse families day in North Yorkshire and at Chatsworth House Country Fair in Derbyshire on Friday.

A Red Arrows spokesman said they would be flying in Flt Lt Egging's memory.

The team began training using eight planes instead of nine on Tuesday.

Sqn Ldr Ben Murphy, said: "Jon, as a Red Arrows pilot, encapsulated everything that is the best of British.

"He was an exceptional pilot and a dedicated RAF Officer who saw service for his country but, moreover, he was a selfless and compassionate friend who will be sorely missed.

"The fortitude, resilience and pride that Jon showed in life are exactly the qualities that define our armed forces and it is these that will enable us to get back on our feet and move on."

A performance at Portrush in Northern Ireland on Saturday has been cancelled.

A return to Chatsworth and an appearance at the Duxford Airshow in Cambridgeshire on Sunday are also off.

The team is due to fly at the Guernsey Battle of Britain Air Display and Jersey International Air Display on 8 September.

An inquest into Flt Lt Egging's death has been opened and adjourned in Bournemouth.

A post-mortem examination showed the cause of death was multiple injuries.

Coroner Sheriff Payne said it was unlikely a full inquest would be held for up to 12 months.

The Red Arrows have used the dual control BAE Systems Hawk T1 aircraft since 1979.