Flying Officer Robbie Payne, 26, grew up in Horncastle, Lincolnshire. He is the youngest of two children. He was educated at Banovallum School and then attended sixth form at Queen Elizabeth's Grammer School, both being in Horncastle, before gaining a BSc at Loughborough University. Robbie joined the RAF in 2009 after having a life long ambition to fly due to his service family background.

After completing Initial Officer Training (IOT) at RAF College Cranwell, Robbie completed Elementary Flying Training (EFT) on the Grob Tutor (as seen above) at Church Fenton, being the final student to fly on 85(R) Squadron before it was disbanded in 2011. Now that Robbie has completed his first flying course, he is now ready to be streamed. This is the process where a review board will decide what aircraft type Robbie will continue his training on, either Fast Jet, Rotary or Multi Engine.

Whilst that decision is being made Robbie has joined the Tucano Display Team for this season, in order to assit the team with every aspect of their demanding schedule, from organising events to selling official merchandise during air shows.