PRESS INFORMATION 2019 Race pilot Ben Murphy is the only British pilot in the 2019 Red Bull Air Race World Championship Master Class. With an RAF military background, Ben applies his precision flying and valuable experiences as both leader of the RAFAT ‘The Red Arrows’, and the Blades Aerobatic Team, to fly the challenging race track up against some of the most talented air race pilots from around the world. 1 [email protected] +44 (0)1604 671309 BEN MURPHY BORN: July 1975 Ben was born and raised in the British Midlands taking an interest in flying at a very early age, gaining his Private Pilot’s License before he could legally drive! He was inspired to learn to fly by both is grandfathers who were both RAF pilots. Ben soon followed in their footsteps when he joined the RAF Air Cadets as a teenager, and continued into the Air Squadron at the University of Newcastle. After university, his flying career stepped up when he joined the RAF in 1997, completing his training in 2000. During his RAF career, Ben demonstrated his natural ability to be a world He is the British face in the Red Bull Air Race Master Class for a second class pilot: He was awarded prizes in aerobatic and formation flying; he year after finishing in 7th place in 2018 - the best ever rookie performance accumulated over 1,000 hours in the Harrier GR7, flying all over the world of a Challenger Class pilot moving up into the Master Class. Ben’s ambitions – including aircraft carriers – and serving as a Qualified Weapons Instructor. are to extend the UK’s racing record as the nation with more World In 2006 Ben joined The Red Arrows, progressing from Red 2 to leading the Championship titles than any other in the sport. Synchro Pair, before being promoted to Commanding Officer and Team Leader. At the time, he was the second-youngest person ever to have held Ben left the RAF in 2013, joining Lockheed Martin (a large US Defence firm). that top role, commanding over 100 personnel, and leading the team’s nine He continued his display flying in the distinctive Miss Demeanour – a 1950s iconic red jets. He led 480 public displays around the world including Europe, Hawker Hunter – before joining the Blades Aerobatic Team in 2015 flying North America, the Middle and Far East. the Extra 300L, and taking over the leadership position in 2016 and 2017. During 2019 he will continue to ‘guest’ fly with The Blades Aerobatic Team in Having accumulated over 3,800 hrs in a military fast jet, and a further 1,600 the Blade 2 position, and Head of the Blades Team. hrs of display flying, Ben is a highly experienced and respected display pilot. During the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Ben competed in the Red Bull Air Race When Ben is flying, he lives in Northamptonshire with his wife, also a display Challenger Cup, claiming 5 podiums and two pole positions. pilot for The Blades, and their son Orson. They enjoy spending their time as a family in the great outdoors, especially in the British Lake District. 2 [email protected] +44 (0)1604 671309 WHAT MAKES BEN UNIQUE? • Former leader of the Red Arrows and the Blades Aerobatic Team • Private Pilot Licence before his UK driving licence • Ex-RAF, demonstrating military precision in his flying • Flown over 5,000 hours • Displayed in over 35 countries • Led the Blades Aerobatic Team to be the World Aerobatic Champions in Zhengzhou, China 2017 • Positive role model to future generations to follow their dreams • Husband to Kirsty Murphy, Dad to Orson and Olivia • Has the drive, passion and ambition to succeed 3 [email protected] +44 (0)1604 671309 “Flying is doing something, 2 1 3 as humans, we shouldn’t be able to do. Soaring through CAREER HIGHLIGHTS TO DATE the skies is such a magical feeling.” Red Bull Air Race mASTER Class: “It was a boyhood dream to learn Two top 4 finishes – 6th place Abu Dhabi 2018; to fly; and now here I am flying 5th place Kazan 2018; highest points total of any against the best Air Race Pilots in Challenger Pilot moving up to the Master Class the world!” Other: “When flying a race plane and pulling up to 12 G, being physically fit helps ensure the breathing and mind stay Master Class Superlicense 2017; US Army synchronized to ensure an optimum Achievement medal; RAF Green Endorsement performance.” for Exceptional Airmanship and Skill; former “The team is aways learning and that won’t Red Arrows Display Team Leader; former stop after year one.” Harrier GR7 Pilot and Instructor; former Hawker Hunter display pilot; Head of The Blades; winner (with The Blades) “The key to our debut season result was how the new team reacted to each new situation; of the inaugural Formation Aerobatics many individuals would have floundered under the Challenge (Zhengzhou, pressure, these guys are solid.” China, 2017). “I’m never content to just do something, unless I have done it to the best of my abilities. I’m lucky enough to have this opportunity in the Master Class, and that is exactly why I am going to give it nothing but my best.” 4 [email protected] +44 (0)1604 671309 EDGE 540 RACE PLANE TOP SPEED 424 km/h (265 mph) WING SPAN 7.42 m ROLL RATE 420 degrees/s POWERPLANT 1 x modified Lycoming AEIO-540, 3 blade, (340hp) WEIGHT 531 kg CYLINDERS 6 MAX G +14 G/ -14G 5 [email protected] +44 (0)1604 671309 BEN MURPHY IN DETAIL How are you feeling about being the only British race pilot in the Red Bull Air Race World Championships for a second year, especially following in the footsteps of Paul Bonhomme and Nigel Lamb? “They are big shoes to fill! With the number of world championships between them, it is a great honor to be flying the flag from Great Britain again. With hard work, the support of the team and determination, I hope to fill those shoes.” When you started to learn to fly as a teenager, did you ever dream you would be where you are today? “Not at all – but flying through the clouds, and breaking through to see the sun is such a magical feeling. I’m extremely lucky to have this opportunity to fly in the Red Bull Air Race World Championships, and I am going to give it the best of my abilities. I thought I had reached the pinnacle when I was selected to join the RAFAT The Red Arrows! But now, flying an Edge 540 through race track at such low levels, at such high speeds has to be the ultimate.” How do you mentally and physically prepare for each race? “The physical preparation is continuous, and I enjoy running and walking in the mountains with my wife and family, but the mental preparation is more specific to the race weekend. Kirsty says that nothing appears to stress me, and I suppose I am good at compartmentalizing, and therefore being able to prepare and focus my mind quite specifically. The support of the team is paramount in helping me prepare mentally, by taking away much of the stresses.” How important is track analysis in helping you prepare for each race, and how do you collate it? “Part of the team includes a Race Team Tactician – Neil is an analytical genius who previously worked with Nigel Lamb and Team Breitling. His calculations factor in many elements – such as raceplane capabilities, track design, G force, altitude and weather. Neil will be working extremely closely with me, and it is then up to me to translate his analytics into reality on the race track.“ Which aircraft have you enjoyed flying the most during your career? “Comparing the RAF fast jets to the Extra or the Edge 540 is very tricky, because they are for very different purposes. But I suppose with regards to being a challenge, it has to be the new race aircraft – the Edge 540. It is a thoroughbred, with a huge performance jump from the Extra, and is a different level of aircraft all together.” 6 [email protected] +44 (0)1604 671309 Newcastle University Air Squadron 1988 Joined the RAF Completed RAF 1993 Training 1997 RAF Air Cadets 2000 24 1992 1975 Private Pilot Born in Licence before he could drive Leader of The Blades Amersham, UK 2007 2016-2017 RAFAT ‘The Red Arrows’ Leader 2000- Synchro Pair 2005 Harrier GR7 2018 Awarded prizes in aerobatic and ‘Guest’ Pilot formation flying for the Blades Qualified Weapons 2016-2017 Instructor Red Bull Air Race Challenger Class 2015 2009 Joined ‘The RAFAT ‘The Red Arrows’ Blades Aerobatic Commanding Officer and 2018 Display Team’ Team Leader Red Bull Air Race Master Class flying the Edge 540 2013 2019 Left the 2013 24 2nd season in the Red Bull Air RAF Joined Race Master Class Lockheed Martin Display flying 1950s Hawker Hunter ‘Miss Demeanour’ 7 [email protected] +44 (0)1604 671309 THE RACE TEAM TEAM PRINCIPAL TEAM MANAGER TEAM TECHNICIAN ANDY OFFER OBE REBECCA ALLEN ANDREAS KAUFFMAN Andy will primarily be taking the decisive lead to steer Rebecca will provide an experienced oversight for the Andreas will take on anything and everything the ‘Best of British’ Blades Racing Team to fulfil its race team, and ensure the Blades Race Team can technical, along with ensuring that the safety of the true potential. With an RAF background, a former operate as smoothly as possible. Having previously pilot is paramount.