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Welcome to the home of The Blades...
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The pilotsRead the biographies |
Latest newsCheck out the latest 2excel news |
Being an AirlineRead how 2Excel became an airline |
Which is your favourite manoeuvre and why?Andy Offer Blade 1: The new 2v2 cross into a pairs torque roll, as I get to do a bit of individual solo manoeuvres. I think it will look spectacular and encompasses a lot of what the Extra can do. Dave Slow Blade 2: The formation stall turn as it is a really dynamic manoeuvre that’s flown very close together. It involves flying an individual aerobatic manoeuvre while at the same time maintaining formation position so it is particularly demanding and looks as exciting from the cockpit as it does from the ground! Andy Evans Blade 3: Corkscrew. Great fun to fly. Myles Garland Blade 4: The 2v2 cross into the torque roll duo and snaps for Blade 2 and Blade 3. It is dynamic and different and ends in Blade 1 and Blade 4 tailsliding together which looks great. Which is your most challenging manoeuvre and why?AO Blade 1: The 4-ship formation stall turns; because they are individually not difficult to fly but to make it look tidy and synchronised it is actually more difficult as we change leaders throughout the manoeuvre. DS Blade 2: All of them! In all seriousness they are all difficult to do well and there is no part of the show that gives an opportunity to relax. AE Blade 3: Blade break into the 2v2 cross, because there is so little time to rejoin between the 2 manoeuvres. MG Blade 4: The tumble; it requires good energy management to maintain sufficient energy to pull up into the half-loop and have enough speed and height to enter the tumble. Achieving a clean and precise exit from the tumble is challenging. What is the best thing about flying?AO Blade 1: If you are passionate about flying, which I am, it gives you complete freedom. DS Blade 2: For me it’s the feeling of complete freedom to move in three dimensions. You also have to mentally switch up a gear or two to cope with the demands of difficult flying and that in itself makes you feel much more alive. Above all, for those precious minutes airbourne, you leave behind earthly worries as you concentrate 100% on the job at hand. AE Blade 3: The freedom to manoeuvre in three dimensions. MG Blade 4: Being able to leave the desk and trivia behind. Which five people, living or dead, would you invite to a dinner party?AO Blade 1: Winston Churchill – I would love to listen to the politics of that period; Margaret Thatcher – A great partner and person to sit opposite Churchill; Jeremy Clarkson – He is really funny; My Wife; James Hunt, he was a legend in his time as he managed to combine being at the top of his game whilst enjoying life. DS Blade 2: Charles Darwin, David Attenborough, Billy Connolly, David Sterling (founder of SAS) and Dawn French. Making the assumption of course that Kerstie, my wife, would already be there as co-host! AE Blade 3: Wing Commander Johnny Johnson, Wing Commander Guy Gibson - The opportunity to talk to a couple of the most highly decorated pilots in World War 2 would be inspirational. Bill Gates - I would like to understand how to turn a great idea into the most successful company in the world. Franklin D Roosevelt - It would be inspirational to hear how a man can overcome a serious physical handicap and still become President of the United States of America. And finally Kate, my wife, of course! MG Blade 4: Elvis Presley, Mick Doohan, Margaret Thatcher, my two brothers. Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions?AO Blade 1: Lots, but one step at a time. DS Blade 2: Having a new-born son, my main ambition is to be a good father. Professionally I can never rest on past achievements and have to continue to strive to be at the top of my game. Also, I would love to get back into farming. A farm was the most wonderful environment to grow up in and I would like that opportunity for my children, although I am under no illusion of how difficult a profession farming is! AE Blade 3: To be the best father I can be, and offer my son and daughter opportunities in life so that they have the best possible chance of success. MG Blade 4: To have the time to enjoy the finer things in life!!!
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