An expert pilot is set to take flight with the Red Arrows in the skies above Merseyside this weekend.
Flight Lieutenant David-John Gibbs is known to most as DJ or Gibbo. The experienced RAF pilot is ready to wow crowds at this weekend's Southport air show. Born and raised in the area, "DJ" started his career in the Royal Navy in 1996, where he trained to fly the Sea King in the Support Helicopter Role.
He grew up in the Churchtown area of Southport, attended Christ The King School in Birkdale and was a member of Number 281 (Southport) Squadron Air Training Corps, where he undertook a gliding scholarship and was a Flight Staff Cadet with No 10 Air Experience Flight at RAF Woodvale.
READ MORE: Southport Air Show 2022 Red Arrows flight times this weekend
DJ, who spent years flying search and rescue missions off the Cornish coast, said: "It is an absolute delight and privilege to display in front of friends and family in my hometown.
"I remember attending the inaugural Southport Air show in 1991. Little could I imagine at the time that I would one day be displaying here myself. Displaying at Southport is the highlight of my air show calendar."
On July 9 and 10, crowds will gather along Southport Pier, beach and prom to watch the spectacular show, including DJ and the Red Arrows, while also enjoying a variety of attractions on the ground. This includes mini tanks, bungee trampolines, land zorbs, bumper cars, simulators, a paintball range and replica Spitfire "Lucy".
With a trademark combination of close formation flying and dynamic loops and rolls, the team has been displaying since 1965. They’ll be taking to the sky at the Air Show at around 4pm on both days.
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