Flying instructors Lts Mark Scott and Jamie Coulton from RN air station Yeovilton have picked up a prestigious award for their flying display at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

The pilots were awarded the Steadman Sword, awarded to the best UK air display at RIAT.

The ‘Lynx Pair’ are the Royal Navy’s only remaining dedicated helicopter display team, consisting of pilots and observers from the Lynx training squadron – 702 Naval Air Squadron.

The first helicopter display team to win this prestigious award in over ten years, the Somerset-based Pair performed a spectacular display routine to an estimated 180,000 spectators.

In competition with teams including the Eurofighter, Jaguar, Spitfire and even a team of wing-Walkers, they outperformed the rest, ensuring the award went to the Royal Navy for a second year running – following on the heels of the Sea Harrier display last year.

Throughout this summer’s display season, the Pair have displayed in front of over a million spectators both in the UK and abroad.

The team’s final air show of the season will be held at RNAS Yeovilton on Saturday September 20. Here, as well as the Lynx Pair, you will be able to see the full range of Naval aircraft in use over the past 70 years – from the tiny Tiger Moth biplane to state-of-the-art fighter jets.

Team leader Lt Mark Scott said: “It was an honour to win the award.

“I must pay tribute to the maintainers, because without their commitment and back up we could not attend the shows. It’s a long season, all their time is given free, so the award is recognition of their hard work as well.”