The Foundation’s popular Extra Time Hub programme was visited by RAF Red Arrows pilots Dustin Wales and Chris McCann on Wednesday 11 December.
The pair are positioned four and five in the display team respectively and took the opportunity to introduce themselves to those present.
After that, they also gave a quick presentation outlining the application process involved in becoming a pilot for the Red Arrows.
The 2024 season that has just passed for the pilots was their 60th season doing shows which has allowed them to visit 57 different countries across that time.
Included in that was the most recent tour to Canada as part of their pre-season training, which featured flights over Toronto, Niagara Falls and Greenland.
This coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Canadian RAF and was described as a “particularly special one” by Dustin Wales in what was his first tour with the Red Arrows.
He later went on to talk about his experiences: “Niagara Falls was a good one, we did a flyover eight or nine times which gave us some good shots.”
Pilots will often spend three to four years with the team spending time on the front line either side of that.
They are also often kept on their toes by moving position in the display team each season to allow two new members to step in and begin training.
The Extra Time Hub runs every Wednesday in the Co-op Community Hub with plenty of volunteers and visitors over the age of 65 in attendance each week.
Dustin Wales said: “It’s always nice to get out into the community for events like this, it's not often that we get to do it when we’re flying three times a day.”
Head of healthier communities Alice Carter said: “It’s a really unique opportunity for them (the wider community) and I think it means more, living in Lincoln.
“Getting that insight into what it’s like, is something that uniquely we can offer them and it’s a good chance for them to connect a bit more with the city.”
For more information on how to get involved with Extra Time Hub click HERE.
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