THE UK’s first female Red Arrows pilot is to move to a ground role after two of her flying colleagues were killed in separate tragedies.

Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Stewart, 33, is to be reassigned after the tragic events of 2011 had an “adverse effect” on her, a defence source said.

In August, Flt Lt Jon Egging, 33, died in an air show crash in a field near Bournemouth Airport.

Three months later, Flt Lt Sean Cunningham, 35, was killed after being ejected from his Hawk T1 while on the ground at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

Flt Lt Stewart, who flew as Red 9, will not fly for a period yet to be agreed by RAF bosses.

She will be posted to another role within the RAF.

Terry Trevett, chairman of the Bournemouth Red Arrows Association said: “I can’t say I am surprised but I am saddened that they have lost one of the key members of the team.”

He added: “We send all our very best wishes for the future to Kirsty.”

Mr Trevett said the Reds were “pencilled in” for their annual visit to the Bournemouth Air Festival.

A defence source said: “Not many people outside of the Red Arrows will understand the pressure and busy schedule that the team endure through a normal season.

“These factors have been exacerbated by the tragic events of 2011.”

The 33-year-old made history in 2009 when she became the first woman in the Red Arrows’ aerobatic display team.

Her reposting means the team will have seven jets rather than nine for |aerobatic displays this year, although nine will be still used in official flypasts.

The Red Arrows will be returning to their full aerobatic formation of nine jet aircraft in 2013 say the MoD.