Co-founder of The Blades display team, Andy Offer was a qualified flying instructor by the age of 22, going on to be one of the youngest pilots ever to serve as Red Arrows Team Leader, promoted to Wing Commander at 35 and since awarded an OBE for his outstanding service.
How did you come to be involved in this documentary?
We were approached by Channel 4 as we have real recent operational experience, while current tail-dragging light aircraft experience
combined with a heritage of Red Arrow's display flying put us in a unique position to perform the task.
Did you have an interest in any aspects of the history of aviation before this?
Yes. Personally, I am fascinated by the Battle of Britain. I grew up with a real love of that period and all that was done. I always
felt, in aviation terms, the technologies advanced so quickly accompanied by a advances in tactics. This resulted in some fantastic
heros in some fantastic aircraft.
Have you taken anything from the experience of flying these early planes and learning about their pilots into your own
flying?
I learnt a lot about their flying and how rudimentary it all was. However, their tactics evolved quickly, especially as it was a
matter of life and death, and some of those early tactics are still used today.
What was the highlight for you?
I suppose, having the opportunity to fly such unique aircraft.
Is there a single incident from your whole flying career that you remember as the most intense?
That is a difficult question. I have flown in combat and displayed in the Red Arrows in Sydney Harbour on Australia Day; both had
their stresses. I have also had a number of incidents, which are always harrowing. But if you ask me to name one such moment I
can't.
After a day of tumbling through the sky at huge g-forces, how do you feel behind the wheel of a car?
Mostly surreal... However, there is nothing I like more than driving home (when I was young it was riding home on a motorbike) after
a day's flying, especially if the sun is out.
