Kiwis living high life as part of RAF display team

Andrew 'Boomer' Keith (inset) has been flying with the Red Arrows for three years. Photos / Supplied by Ministry of Defence

As a teenager at Howick College, Andrew Keith began helping his father to build an aeroplane.

"It took ages to finish - probably about 16 years all told - but it was very special to take the controls of a plane that you had a hand in building."

Today Andrew "Boomer" Keith is still playing with aeroplanes - as one-ninth of the legendary aerobatics team the Red Arrows.

The 34-year-old says his love of aviation came from the infectious enthusiasm of his father.

"Dad and I would head out to the local aerodrome [Ardmore] any chance we could get. Every time I flew I wanted to fly more. Flying to me is very much like exercise to an elite athlete. It becomes a drug."

Keith has been with the Red Arrows for three years. He is one of two New Zealanders in the team. The other is 32-year-old Flight Lieutenant Simon "Kermit" Rea, originally from Hawera.

Both men flew for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and transferred to the RAF in 2002. They have seen action in Afghanistan.

But today they are more likely to be greeted by cheering fans than enemy fire.

The Red Arrows regularly perform in front of crowds of up to 50,000 and at large events 200,000 will be there to watch.

"If you have ever seen Top Gun [the movie starring Tom Cruise] then our lifestyle does mirror that sort of glamour with the champagne lifestyle, top brass dinners, celebrated profiles and beautiful women," said Keith.

"But of course you have to rise above all that and do your job like anyone else."

Rea admits to being an adrenalin junkie. The buzz of performance has no equal.

"When you are at the extremity of a high turn and the mountains still stretch to the heavens above, it is an awe-inspiring experience."

Since the Red Arrows were formed in 1965 they have flown 4173 displays in 53 countries. Over the past two years they have displayed at countless festivals, graduation ceremonies, air shows and special events: the London 2012 Olympic handover ceremony, inauguration of the new Wembley Stadium in London, Monaco yacht regatta, and British Grand Prix.

A high fitness level is required and pilots have a conditioning test every six months.

"Lack of fitness will immediately affect reaction times, concentration, core body strength and ability to combat g-force so we are careful to maintain our health and strength," said Rea.

According to Keith there are no boring days with the Red Arrows.

"Our seven months of training during the off-season is intensive and exhausting - 6am starts, six sorties five days a week for the first four months of the seven, and three sorties five days a week for the final three months.

"We are also often asked to give talks, lectures and conduct training sessions for RAF cadets."

Rea said the trip last year to North America was a highlight as the team flew past the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty before displaying to millions of New Yorkers. "The crowds were huge and to perform above the city that never sleeps was a tremendous honour and something I will never forget."