Red Arrows - updated - book of condolence link added

[Dan D'Air]

God bless Sean and his family.
Another "good un" dies.
RIP.

[Tiger Tim]

May the winds be fair and the skies always blue.
May there always be a morning star to guide you.
Rest in peace my friend your job is done.
God is is calling "Smoke on....GO!"


RIP Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham - Red 5

[Jimbo27]

This is interesting, complaints to the PCC...

http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp ... =48207&c=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[GOOSE]

I must admit to having fired off an email to both the PCC and the "Rag" involved. Surprise, surprise, I have not received the courtesy of a reply to my remarks in either instance, save for the automated rubbish from one of them, attempting to make respondents think that they give a monkey's.

If anything constructive is received I'll let you know.

[Gary]

RIP Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham

[radio_ryan]

Over dramatic headline and the same mistake as most media..................they are ejection seats not ejector seats

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... -roof.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

you right there it is over the top

May Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham R.I.P

[paddyboy]

RIP sean

you have been where few of us can ever go

god bless and thankyou

paddyboy

[GOOSE]

Here's a link to the RAF Red Arrows on line book of condolence -

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/flt ... ingham.cfm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[C24]

How do you say ‘Thank you’, pay tribute to people who you have never met but feel you know well?

Perhaps this story may convey just a little of the admiration felt by me for Red Arrows, past and present.

Culdrose, 1966, an aspiring student pilot waits for his Instructor to join him for a flight and is disappointed to be bumped off in favour of his 19 year old friend, Rick. The student goes back to a deserted crew-room for a coffee.

Less than hour later the news comes through that a second helicopter had crashed onto the one flown by Pete and Rick.

Three weeks pass and down two friends, the same student launches on his first night solo; engine malfunction is followed by a controlled landing.

A further three weeks go by and the newly formed Red Arrows fly in for a show. We dined them and get to chat with them all. Not quite gods but damned close in the eyes of most the assembled company.

Their display the next day was the inspiration for a whole lifetime for one student.

On to Winter/Spring of 2011.
“If the Reds are prepared to fly, then they deserve an audience!” It was 21 days of sheer magic as they moved on in the training programme, polishing and honing their skills. As singletons; pairs and groups they performed ballets in the Lincolnshire sky.
It was both awesome and inspirational flying. They are excellent examples of individual achievement and demonstrators of teamwork at its very best.

An inspiration to us all they certainly are and their memory will be always in our hearts and minds, of that I am sure.

Jon and Sean, I will have you in mind each time I launch in my new hobby, gliding. A decision very much inspired by you and your fellow Red Arrows performances earlier this year. Thanks to you I have my wings back.

God bless you all.

C24
[Goose, please pull this if you feel that I have been OTT. I certainly do not mean to offend.]

[GOOSE]

[Goose, please pull this if you feel that I have been OTT. I certainly do not mean to offend.]

C24 - I think what you've written is perfect. The Red Arrows aircrew sign on knowing the risks that such flying and indeed a Military flying career entail.

They do the job nonetheless although they, and we, hope that it never comes to the tragedy such as what we've witnessed in the last few months.

The very fact that so many people have been moved to comment, share stories and reminisce about their impact on our lives highlights just what a special bunch they are. I for one would be proud to have so many positive comments as my epitaph.

[T_J]

Noted over on PPRuNe

http://www.pprune.org/military-aircrew/ ... ost6812526" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It has been determined that the freedom of movement of drogue shackles on ejection seats fitted with scissor shackles may have become restricted.
Failure to ensure that there is freedom of movement between the drogue shackle and scissor shackle may prevent the withdrawal of the main parachute during the ejection sequence.

From

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/20111117MPD2011008E.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?c ... il&id=4766" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Mk10 seat is stabilized on one single point (scissor shackle fitted at the top of the headbox)

http://www.safeeurope.co.uk/media/3405/ ... erroit.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Hurn]

Funeral Service for Flt Lt Sean Cunningham.

The funeral of Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham will take place on Thursday 1 December 2011 at 1030hrs in Coventry Cathedral followed by a private family cremation.

Flight Lieutenant Cunningham’s former RAF colleagues and friends are welcome to attend the service at Coventry Cathedral. His family has also kindly extended the invitation to members of the public who wish to pay their respects.

http://www.raf.mod.uk/reds/teamnews/ind ... 6A05D5ECC0