Red Arrows recruit their first female fast-jet pilot

Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Moore of Number XIII Squadron, RAF Marham, beat 28 other keen candidates to join the team and in turn has become the first woman to fulfil the application criteria to join the world-famous 'Diamond Nine'.

Until Flt Lt Moore, no female fast-jet pilot had reached the stage in their flying career to meet the high standards of the team which include being assessed as above average in their flying career, having a minimum of 1,500 flying hours and completing at least one front line fast-jet operational tour.

Flt Lt Moore said:

"I am delighted and honoured to have been selected for the Red Arrows team 2010, especially since the quality of the other shortlist candidates was extremely high. For now, I am focused on my current role but I am looking forward to joining the team later in the year."

Flt Lt Moore joins Flt Lt Ben Plank of 1 (Fighter) Squadron, RAF Cottesmore, as the two new recruits to the display team which will see them begin training for their three-year tour with the team in September 2009.

Wing Commander Jas Hawker, Officer Commanding and Team Leader of the Red Arrows, said:

"The shortlist of candidates to join the Red Arrows represents some of the very finest fast-jet pilots in the Royal Air Force. Their skills, experience, dedication and enthusiasm are second-to-none. We are equally proud to be welcoming both pilots to the team and are looking forward to their arrival in September 2009."

Flt Lt Moore, originally from Lincolnshire, joined the RAF as a pilot in 1998 during which time she has served as an instructor on the Hawk aircraft at RAF Valley in North Wales and is currently flying Tornado GR4s with XIII Squadron based at RAF Marham in Norfolk.

Around 30 Royal Air Force fast-jet pilots apply for the prestigious places on the team each year and although Flt Lt Moore has become the first female to be selected for the team, she is not the first female to have applied to join the Red Arrows.