After the most awe-inspiring display at last years Eye Show, we know that everyone who saw them last year will be thrilled that - the Blades are back!

The Blades pilots are all former Red Arrows and between them have more than 20 years of display experience on Harriers, Hawks, Jet Provosts and Boeing Stearman biplanes. The Blades pilots are: Andy Offer – Director/Blade 1, Dave Slow – Blade 2, Andy Evans – Blade 3, Myles Garland – Blade 4.

"Creating a precision formation display requires weeks of preparation and all the extreme singleton manoeuvres need to be carefully practised, explains Blade 1, Andy Offer. "There are numerous different manoeuvres that can be flown with four Extra 300 aircraft. You can stay in a formation of four aircraft and change shapes; you can split into two pairs and perform 2v2 crosses; or you can split into single aircraft and perform extremely dynamic solo gyroscopic aerobatics. Our concept is to design a display that encapsulates all three of these activities as we believe this combination makes the most diverse and exciting show."

When asked, "Do you get nervous before displays?", Andy replied, "I always get a little nervous prior to any display, I believe these nerves are good as it focuses your mind to the job in hand, and there is no room for complacency. The display requires concentration and forethought, every venue is different and the factors of the day play a large part in how difficult leading the display is going to be. I'm in control of the Team, but every role is pivotal and each pilot will be going through the same process to ensure his performance matches that of his colleagues."