THE skies above Wellington will see another pass by the Royal Air Force display team the Red Arrows on Friday (August 25) afternoon.

The pilots will be on their way to Exeter Airport ahead of Friday’s Sidmouth Regatta Airshow and should pass over the Tonedale area at about 4.45 pm.

They will be among a number of aerial display teams performing over the sea at Sidmouth for the coastal town’s Bank Holiday weekend opening event.

The regatta starts at about 5 pm and features a finale by the Red Arrows at 6.30 pm.

Earlier on Friday afternoon the Red Arrows were due to be performing for the 30th anniversary Clacton Airshow, in Essex.

The Red Arrows flightpath over Wellington on Friday (August 25).
The Red Arrows flightpath over Wellington on Friday (August 25) indicated by the blue line. (Google Maps)

Their flightpath from Clacton to Exeter takes them over Wellington before they make their run to Sidmouth.

Afterwards, the team will return to their base in RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire.

A full Red Arrows flight comprises nine iconic red colour BAE Systems’ Hawk T.1A fast-jets, but this year the team has been displaying with only eight aircraft.

The Red Arrows will be celebrating its 60th season next year and has already flown nearly 5,000 displays in 57 countries since its formation in 1965.

Red Arrows pilots usually serve a three-year tour with the display team and must previously have flown with frontline squadrons before they can be recruited.

Pilots currently serving have completed operational tours in Afghanistan and Libya, or been part of the UK and Falkland Islands’ Quick Reaction Alert.

After their Red Arrows tour, they return to operational, training, and other roles in the Royal Air Force.