Flight Lieutenant Mike Child, aged 26, was educated at Chichester High School for Boys. Whilst at school, he was a member of the school's Combined Cadet Force and undertook his flying scholarship at TG Aviation, Manston. He then studied at the University of Birmingham, where he was sponsored by the RAF and spent much of his time flying the Tutor training aircraft at the University of Birmingham Air Squadron. Having completed his Initial Officer Training at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell, in May 2002, he was posted to RAF Linton-On-Ouse, where he undertook Basic Fast Jet Flying on the Shorts Tucano. Graduating and receiving his wings in July 2003, he then moved to 208 (Reserve) Squadron, RAF Valley, to fly the hawk. In July 2004, he successfully graduated from Advanced Flying Training and was selected to remain with 208 Squadron, to become a Qualified Flying Instructor, teaching student pilots to fly the hawk. He is currently part of the Central Flying School at RAF Valley, and teaches pilots how to instruct on the hawk. This is his first year as the Hawk Display Pilot. Mike’s next posting will be to NATO Flying Training Canada to complete Tactical Weapons Training, before progressing to a front-line squadron. In the near future, he hopes to fly the Typhoon. Taken from sand dunes at Blackpool.