MARTIN DAY has at least two good reasons to have his head in the clouds.

For the instructor pilot at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, near York, has just completed his season as the Tucano display pilot.

Flight Lieutenant Day took part in more than 56 air shows between May and October, when his stunning aerobatic display routine in the propeller-driven trainer aircraft was seen by audiences throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.

Closer to home, he was a prominent performer at the Sunderland and Elvington air shows.

To round off a fantastic year, he has just been awarded the Breitling Trophy for best solo display pilot at the Biggin Hill International Airshow, having beaten 50 the world's top display pilots.

Flt Lt Day said: "The Breitling Trophy is one of the most sought after international aerobatic award and has, in the past, been won by pilots flying aircraft such as the F-16 Falcon and Pitts Special.

"To win it in a Tucano is a great honour and says a lot about the abilities of this aircraft."

Updated: 10:08 Thursday, October 21, 2004