FOLLOWING the official launch of the UK's newest full-time display team, The Blades, on 4 May, an A-list audience at the Beckham's World Cup party at the end of last month had their own display. The four Extra 300LPs, flown by The Blades, featured the St George's Cross on the underside of the right wing for the occasion.

The four-ship team opened the celebrity bash, wowing guests with a series of formation flypasts, rolls and opposition breaks, while at the same time, ensuring they didn't set off the collision avoidance systems of airliners departing from nearby Stansted Airport.

Due to the location of Beckingham Palace, nestled between Harlow and Sawbridgeworth, there were restrictions in place, although the CAA, NATS and BAA London Stansted granted special permission for the display to take place. Chris Norton, co-founder and Director of 2Excel Aviation, the company behind The Blades, said,

"Putting on the display at this site was tricky due to the surrounding villages and the complexity of the airspace which we had to work with.  "However, the pilots are exceptional and their skills really shone through. We are delighted to have been part of the England Team's send-off and we hope England excels in the World Cup."

The company is offering "an exciting suite of aviation products" comprising bespoke corporate entertainment packages, with live in-cockpit camera links for those on the ground, leadership development and team-building programmes, advanced flying instruction and air displays. This year 2Excel will keep the fleet in the company colour scheme but plan to offer the aircraft as 'flying billboards' to corporate customers from 2007.  W: www.2excelaviation.com 

THE BLADES 
BLADE 1
BLADE 2 

Name: Andy Evans Age: 40 Hours 3000+  On type 60 Favourite manoeuvre: The Blade Break Most Challenging The Gattling Gun. "I need to fly it very accurately so Blade 3 can fly behind." Background: Former Reds manager, RAF Instructor on JP and Tucano, frontline Jaguar pilot, Hawk formation pilot.

BLADE 3

Name: Myles Garland Age: 35 Hours 3000+  On type 65 Favourite manoeuvre: The Palm Tree Break.  Most Challenging The Snake. "I fly at the back and it's easy to run out of power." Background: Former Reds and frontline Harrier pilot.

BLADE 4

Name: Bruno Van Waeyenberghe Age: 45 Hours 3700+ On type 1000+ Favourite manoeuvre: The Fireworks Split  Most Challenging Rejoining the formation after the solo manoeuvres Background: Civilian aeros display pilot. Founder of ExtrAviation Ltd.

Name: Andy Offer OBE Age: 40 Hours: 4500+ On type 60 Favourite manoeuvre: Excel Loop into Blade Break Most Challenging As Leader, dealing with the wind and weather. Positioning relative to the crowd is always important as an over flight of the crowd line can be detrimental to flight safety. Background: Former Reds Leader, Hawk and Harrier display pilot, frontline Harrier pilot and Utterly Butterly pilot.

JAY KAY TIPS HIS HAT

Jamiroquai frontman and student heli pilot Jay Kay flew in to the 2Excel launch with his instructor, Kim Campion from Wycombe-based Heli Air. The star landed his brand new Robinson R44 before taking off in the front seat of Blade 3 with display pilot Myles Garland. LOOP caught up with Jay on the ground. "It was amazing, and really unusual to see three other aircraft so close. I love the Gs! "I flew a trainer jet in Oz recently and then wanted to go to Russia to fly the Su-29 so I could go up to the edge of space. Unfortunately Putin decided that foreigners aren't allowed in Russian planes.