South West’s own Red Arrows engineer named Government Aviation Ambassador

Ross Priday, the former Chief Engineer for the Red Arrows, has been named among the latest cohort of Government Aviation Ambassadors, a programme designed to encourage young people to explore careers in aviation and aerospace.

Based in the South West, Ross brings extensive experience from his time with the Royal Air Force aerobatics team and from speaking at events such as the African Aviation Summit in Rwanda, where he promoted opportunities for women in aviation. As a South West-based ambassador, he hopes to inspire young people in the region, where the Red Arrows are especially close to the hearts of local communities.

For Torbay, mention the Red Arrows and thoughts immediately turn to our much-loved English Riviera Airshow. Last year, the three-day event drew record crowds to vantage points around the bay, featuring everything from the Red Arrows to wing-walkers and Royal Navy helicopters. It delivered an estimated £5 million boost to the local economy, with tourism experts calculating a £15 return for every £1 invested.

The 10th anniversary edition returns from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 May 2026, centred on Paignton Green, and will once again feature a Friday night ‘Take Off’ event alongside seafront celebrations and breathtaking aerial displays.

For local aviation fanatics and aspiring pilots, the show is more than spectacular aerobatics - it’s also a chance to inspire the next generation of engineers and pilots. Now, with Mr Priday representing the South West on a much bigger stage, young people in Torbay have a direct link to someone who knows exactly what it takes to soar in the skies.

The Aviation Ambassadors programme sees aviation professionals visiting schools, hosting workshops, and using social media to introduce primary, secondary, and college students to the wide range of careers available – from engineering and piloting to air traffic control, ground operations, and aviation law.

Ross said: “Aviation gave me a career I could never have imagined, and I want others to see the incredible opportunities this industry offers. School leavers, apprentices, graduates, and those looking to change industries can all find their path into aviation. Through my Aviation Ambassador role, I want to show people not just that these exciting careers exist, but exactly how to access them.”

Aviation Minister Keir Mather added: “Our Aviation Ambassadors are key to encouraging more young people to see the sector as a place where they can thrive. By sharing their journeys, breaking down barriers, and broadening horizons, they’re helping to secure the future of UK aviation while delivering growth, jobs and skills in regions like the South West.”