EVER wondered what it’s like to be a pilot during an aerial display at Bournemouth Air Festival?

This striking image captured by Blade 3 Mike Ling, a member of The Blades Aerobatic Team, gives an incredible (and stomach churning) view of what pilots see during their display.

This amazing photo was taken from the cockpit of his plane midway through a 180-degree manoeuvre during The Blades Aerobatic Team’s first display on Thursday afternoon.

Eagle eyed readers will be able to spot Boscombe Pier in the background as well as the rest of the coastline all the way to Southbourne and Christchurch.

The only civilian team to perform at every Air Festival, The Blades were formed by former RAF pilots Andy Offer and Chris Norton in 2006.

Dorset Echo:

The display team is made up of former RAF Red Arrow pilots among the most experienced display pilots in the world.

The Extra 300 aircrafts can reach speeds of more than 250mph, with a manoeuvring speed of 180mph.

During the 15-minute display, each aircraft covers over 50 nautical miles and pilots have to endure up 8 to 10 G during some manoeuvres.

The Blades Aerobatic Team will be kicking off the second day of the Bournemouth Air Festival, which will also see another flyby of the RAF Battler of Britain Memorial Flight and a first glimpse at this year’s spectacle of the RAF Chinook.