Black Cats

The Royal Navy Black Cats Helicopter Display Team, originally formed in 2001 as the ‘Lynx Pair’, is the first official Royal Navy flying display team since the disbandment of the ‘Sharks’ in the mid-1990s. Based at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset, the team consists of volunteer aircrew and engineers from 825 Naval Air Squadron. For the 2025 Display Season, the Black Cats return with their thrilling solo and pair performances. The team will fly a pair of Leonardo Wildcat HMA2 aircraft. The pilots for 2025 are Lieutenant Gary McCall and Lieutenant Tom Pethick. They are scheduled to perform at 11 events across the UK, Channel Islands, and Belgium.