Top Gun pilot to share real life story of Red Arrows
Forget Tom Top Gun Cruise – you can meet a real life Maverick when the former leader of the RAF’s most famous unit comes to Exeter.
Wing Commander Simon Meade O.B.E. is the former Commanding Officer and Team Leader of the Red Arrows Aerobatic Display Team.
He will be giving a talk and special presentation at Exeter School on Friday March 31 (7:30) to raise money for FORCE Cancer Charity.
Simon is an inspiring speaker who draws on his wealth of experience in delivering results in an environment where failure is not an option and mistakes costs lives.
He joined the Royal Air Force at 18 and was flying Harrier jets based in Germany by the time he was 21.
He has served in the Falklands, Belize, fought operations in Bosnia and Iraq and was an instructor in the RAF’s “Top Gun” weapons school.
As head of the Red Arrows, one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams, Simon led 320 displays in 27 countries, engaging with royalty and world political leaders.
He now runs a training facility that teaches pilots how to deal with the ordeal of high G forces.
Outside the cockpit, Simon has competed in the Network Q RAC rally, was an international bobsleigh athlete and board member of the UK governing body, been an advisor to a UK national charity, and currently represents Great Britain in his age group in triathlon.
“It promises to be a fascinating evening with exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and some breathtaking views from the cockpit,” said FORCE Community Fundraising Coordinator Naomi Cole.
“It’s a real privilege to have someone with Simon’s experience supporting FORCE in this way and we can’t wait to welcome him to Exeter. It’s an evening not to be missed!”
Simon is a friend of Maureen Scott from the Exeter Friends of FORCE committee, which is organising his visit.
Tickets are priced at £15 to include, cheese and biscuits and a glass of wine. It’s £10 for under 16s with soft drinks provided.
To book your seat, contact the FORCE Fundraising Team on 01392 406 153 or go to forcecancercharity.co.uk/events-calendar/all-about-the-red-arrows/
