Kleeblatt History
The aerobatics team of the Austrian Air Forces is called Kleeblatt (Cloverleaf) and is established from the crew of the 2nd squadron of 1st Flight Regiment based in Langenlebarn (near Vienna). The team is created in 1975 for the 70th anniversary of the Austrian Air Forces. Except for the demonstrations in the country, the team participates in some international airshows which bring it popularity in Europe. In 1987 the team is disbanded and is re-established only in 1997 in the same base. Since then Kleeblatt has visited Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech Republic and France.
Unfortunately in December 2001 the team is disbanded till the second instruction. The reason is still unannounced.
The team consists of five pilots who fly on four Agusta Bell-206 Jet Ranger helicopters (which are made under licence in Agusta, Italy). The ground staff consists of 11 people who are responsible for the helicopters' good working order. Everyone of them is from the crew of the 2nd squadron of 1st Flight Regiment based in Langenlebarn.
The demonstration is always performed under the music accompaniment on altitude between 10 and 150 meters and lasts 15 minutes. The distance between helicopters is about 5 meters (this means the distance between the propellers of the helicopters).
