Flight Lieutenant Matt Brighty
About Flight Lieutenant Matt Brighty
RED 8
Years with the Red Arrows: First year
Joined the RAF: 2007
RAF CAREER
After completing elementary flying training at RAF Wyton, Matt was selected for fast-jet training at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and RAF Valley. His first tour was on the Tornado GR4 with 617 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth and IX(B) Squadron at RAF Marham. During this tour, Matt served on the frontline, supporting operations over Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
In 2017, Matt converted to the Typhoon and was posted to XI(F) Squadron at RAF Coningsby. This was another busy tour, with multiple overseas deployments including to Estonia, as part of the UK’s commitment to Baltic Air Policing, and RAF Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands.
Three years later, Matt joined 29 Squadron, the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit, where he worked as a Qualified Flying Instructor, playing a role in the conversion of new pilots to the aircraft. In addition to his instructional duties, he also contributed to RAF Coningsby’s primary task of defending UK sovereign airspace on Quick Reaction Alert. The highlight of Matt’s time on the Typhoon was his role as the 2023 Typhoon display pilot, performing nearly 50 displays across the UK and mainland Europe.
Other memorable moments of Matt’s flying career included carrying Wing Commander Guy Gibson’s Wings Brevet in a commemorative flypast over Lincoln and to participate in HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee flypast, in 2022.
EDUCATION AND LIFE BEFORE THE RAF
- Born in Crawley, West Sussex
- Educated at Holy Trinity C of E Secondary School and The Weald Sixth Form College
- Previously an RAF Air Cadet – a member of 2464 (Storrington) ATC