Flightline UK - Royal Navy Black Cats

Royal Navy "Black Cats"

The team have been a fixture on the Airshow circuit for several years under the title of The Lynx Pair and won the Steadman Sword for the best British participant at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2003. In 2004, increased support from the Royal Navy and Agusta Westland Helicopters saw the team reinvented as "The Black Cats" for the forthcoming season.

The team are the first official RN helicopter display team since The Sharks, who disbanded in the mid 1990’s. The team have however drawn from their predecessor’s displays and use several manoeuvres, which were trademarks of the 4 red Gazelle helicopters.

The team’s title “The Black Cats” comes from a combination of the Lynx wildcat featured on the 702 Squadron badge and the naval slang of ‘black catting’, which is a form of one-upmanship by having done something or owning something better than anyone else.

FOr 2010, the team has undergone a transformation with the arrival of two new pilots: Lt Becky Frater (Black Lead) and Lt Chris Chambers (Black 2) have taken the helm.

Official Website: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.2412