The thrill of tumbling through the sky to wow audiences with a show-stopping aircraft display is every pilot’s dream.

According to Mark ‘Cutty’ Cutmore, leader of The Blades, it is the part he is looking forward to most as he returns to Airbourne, the air show which starts on Eastbourne seafront today.

The crew of former Red Arrow pilots are promising a 15-minute spectacle with 30 manoeuvres, including stunts flown only feet apart.

With more than 30,000 flying hours and at least 3,900 displays between them, the team is hailed as one of the most experienced in the country.

Stunts Mr Cutmore said the displays, which take place daily in Extra 300 aircrafts, are meticulously planned before execution.

He said: “I love coming back to Eastbourne. We are one of the few teams who get to arrive over the heads of the crowd on the beaches.

“Just seeing thousands of people taking in your display is incredible. We thoroughly enjoy it. We are flying extremely agile aeroplanes and some of the stunts are things as a pilot you never imagined you would have the chance to try out.”

Mr Cutmore, 45, from Dartmouth, joined The Blades in 2008 and spent three years as the team’s solo pilot, taking the reins in 2012, appearing at Eastbourne at least ten times.

Eastbourne’s free international air show opens from 10am until 4.30pm every day until Sunday, when it concludes at 7.30pm.

The line-up also includes live music, military fast jets, helicopters and parachutists.

The Mynarski Memorial Lancaster bomber, known as Vera, will appear as part of a Britain Memorial Flight.

The Red Arrows will celebrate their 50th anniversary year at the event, and the world’s only 1950s aircraft with nuclear capabilities will also be in attendance.

l See The Argus on Friday for a picture special