Synchro 2

Flight Lieutenant

Chris Lyndon-Smith

Chris flew the Tornado GR4 before joining the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team

Age - 31

Education - Studied at Old Swinford Hospital School in Stourbridge, before attending Wymondham College in Norfolk where he completed his A-levels.

Career - Chris joined the Royal Air Force in 1998. After Elementary Flying Training, he was selected to fly fast jets. On completion of the Tactical Weapons Course at Royal Air Force Valley in 2002, Chris was posted to the Tornado GR4. He served for three years on XIII Squadron (Sqn) at Royal Air Force Marham where he completed numerous overseas detachments including the USA, Canada, Italy, Cyprus and two Operational Tours of Iraq. He also completed the Combat Survival Rescue Officers course at Royal Air Force St Mawgan and attended the Desert and Jungle Survival course in Australia. Chris was then posted to 208 Sqn, Royal Air Force Valley where he served as a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) for three years. Chris was then posted back to XIII Sqn in 2008 where he served as the Sqn QFI. Having completed his first year on the Team in the position of Red 2, Chris has been selected to fly as Synchro 2 for the 2012 display season.

Background - Chris was born in Kitwe in Zambia. Six months later the family moved to South Africa, and lived in Johannesburg and Cape Town for the next ten years. At the age of 10 his family decided to return to the UK where Chris’ brothers were already residing. Chris has always wanted to fly and was in the Combined Cadet Force from the age of 13. He is a very keen kite surfer and is an IKO/BKSA level 2 Instructor. He is also a keen skier, scuba diver, rugby player and enjoys riding his motor bike. Chris lives with his partner Victoria, who is also in the Royal Air Force serving as an engineer on the Team.

Red 7