Red Arrows a dream job for Walsall engineer

An engineer from Willenhall has spent the summer flying with the prestigious Red Arrows after landing a job with the world-famous aerobatic team.

Corporal Lyndon Picken, aged 30, is part of the back-seat support crew for the team and was involved during flypasts for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations over Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, as well as the Olympic opening ceremony.

The father-of-two recently returned from the Red Arrows displays in Moscow.

He has been part of a 10-strong team of engineers, known as the Blues, who has been assigned to a specific aircraft and pilot throughout the 2012 display season. The former St Thomas More Catholic School pupil was paired with flight lieutenant James McMillan.

He has travelled to more than 70 airshows as a passenger in one of the Red Arrows' two-seat Hawk aircraft – flying at speeds of more than 350mph. He then becomes part of the ground crew during the show.

Cpl Picken said: "It has been a very liberating experience that I have dreamt of since I was a child. It has been an honour and a privilege."