A DAREDEVIL pilot is flying high after being named as the RAF's stunt pilot for one of its most agile planes.

Flight Lieutenant Stew Campbell, who is based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, has been chosen as the RAF's Tucano display pilot for 2008. As the RAF's magnificent man in his flying machine he will represent the air base at more than 40 air shows, including the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford.

Stew is now hoping for good weather to enable him to practise the barrel rolls and loop-the-loops which will help thrill the crowds. Some of the stomach-churning moves he will perform include manoevres which exert a pressure of around six times the force of gravity; more than twice the force experienced on Lightwater Valley's Twister roller-coaster ride.

When he is not performing aerobatics, Flt Lt Campbell, of Pocklington, is an instructor with RAF Linton's Central Flying School.

He said being nominated was a great honour. He said: "This is a very proud achievement for me and especially so to be given the chance to show what the Tucano is capable of at such an early stage in my career."

For him the display season - which runs from May to October - will mean working up to six days a week. Monday to Friday will be spent teaching and the weekends spent up and down the country performing his dazzling display.

But he said he did not mind the added work load. "Since I was six years old I always wanted to be a pilot. I used to go to airshows and watch the displays and remember thinking I wish I could do that.' "Now I'm in the fortunate position of being able to realise that dream and hope that any budding youngsters watching at the shows will find the same inspiration that I did."