Aerobatic Display Teams News
Blue Angels begin training flights for 2010 season - (aerobaticteams.net) 04.Jan.2010
Blue Angels begin the practice schedule today at team's winter home base Naval Air Facility El Centro, near San Diego. The new demo pilots to the squadron are #2 right wing Lieutenant Jim Tomaszeski and #3 left wing Lieutenant Rob Kurrle. The team will complete at least 120 training flights during their 10-week winter training, while on March 13, Blue Angels will be ready for the first 2010 airshow at El Centro.
After 40 years Thunderbirds pilot remains are found - (aerobaticteams.net) 08.Jan.2010
The remains of Major Russell Goodman now were found and identified by piece of bone discovered during an excavation in Vietnam. Goodman was a Thunderbirds announcer during Thunderbird's F-100D era. His F-4 Phantom was shot down in Vietnam on February 20, 1967 by surface to air missile. Since then his destiny was unknown, while two years ago a four inch bone gives a clue. Now the DNA results finally confirmed that the bone belongs to Major Russell Goodman. Next Thursday, January 14, at Nellis Air Force Base is holding a special memorial service with the Thunderbirds to honor Goodman. (via Tom Serres)
Red Checkers pilot died today after crash - (aerobaticteams.net) 14.Jan.2010
New Zealand Air Force aerobatic team Red Checkers lost its squadron leader Nicholas Haydn Cree, 32, who died this morning after fatal plane crash. The crash occurred about 8 a.m. near the Santoft Forest, 18km west of Bulls, while all six Red Checker's CT-4 Trainer aircrafts practicing aerobatic maneuvers. He was performing a non risked solo manoeuvre and no indication for any troubles with the plane. The cause of the crash is unknown for now, but Red Checkers are grounded during investigation.
Last year on April 11, one of the team's planes involved in bird-strike at Classic Fighters Airshow at Marlborough, but without major consequences. Maybe Nick Cree hit a bird/s causing the crash.
Mr Cree instructed students on helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, but did most of his flying on helicopters. He joined the Air Force in 1996. (stuff.co.nz)
Maj. Russell Goodman
First aerobatic team's displays for 2010 season - (aerobaticteams.net) 18.Jan.2010
Saudi Hawks will participate at Bahrain International Airshow at 21-23 January and at Al Ain Airshow at 27-30 January 2010. The team will display in new display program.
Patrouille de France will open 2010 show seson at Bahrain International Airshow at 21-23 January.
Brietling Jet Team will display at Al Ain Airshow at 27-30 January.
Royal Jordanian Falcons at Bahrain International Airshow at 21-23 January.
Snowbirds under new command - (aerobaticteams.net) 19.Jan.2010
Canadian Air Force 431 Air Demonstration Squadron the Snowbirds will now report to the Commander of 4 Wing, based in Cold Lake, Alberta. Till now Snowbirds were under command of 15 Wing Moose Jaw, what remains the team's home base. The reason is administrative pushed by the reorganization in Canadian Air Force in times of financial crisis.
UAE aerobatic display team The Knights - (aerobaticteams.net) 21.Jan.2010
The UAE Air Force announced their aerobatic team called The Knights. The team flies with four Aermacchi MB-339 in standard UAE Air Force color scheme using red smoke generators. They made its debut on Jan 20, with a fly-by at the graduation ceremony for pilots and air-traffic control students at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College. Hopes that Knights will have long future, but for now they don't participate at UAE Al Ain Aerobatic Show, raising the question - is The Knights real aerobatic team! One fly past don't made some formation an aerobatic team. We look closer for the future news about UAE Air Force display team.
Patrouille Suisse 2010 schedule - (aerobaticteams.net) 22.Jan.2010
Patrouille Suisse 2010 display dates are published on our schedule section.
Black Knights disbanded? - (aerobaticteams.net) 01.Fev.2010
Black Knights will not participate at Singapore Airshow 2010. Till today the RSAF aerobatic display team flying on F-16, is not seen at the Singapore Airshow site. The absence of the Black Knights from a biggest aviation event in Singapore leads to conclusion, that maybe the team is disbanded. We wait until the official authority confirm - is the Black Knights disbanded or not.
Red Checkers gounded for 2010 - (aerobaticteams.net) 01.March.2010
The RNZAF Aerobatic Display Team Red Checkers grounded permanently for 2010 season.
The reason is the last incident happened on March 1, when two of the team's aircrafts touch each other in training flight. Both planes land safely with minor injures, but this accident raise the question - if the Red Checker are safely to display in front of public, because this is the second incident this year. First accident taking the leader's life is occurred on Jan, 14. Before two weeks they canceled an air display without a reason. I think RNZAF authorities will reconsider Red Checkers training program and back the team soon in the air, before the end of the year. Howsoever the New Zealand's aviation fans need to see precision formation flying from their Air Force pilots. Similar incidents, in short time happened before in other teams, but they are still in the air.
Sarang Dhruv helicopter crash landed - (aerobaticteams.net) 03.March.2010
Sarang helicopter crash landed in preparation for the air display at Pokhran, Rajasthan on Feb 28 at Jaisalmer. Despite the crash IAF helicopter display team Sarang perform on the next day at Pokhran.
Indian NAVY display team Sagar Pawan fatal crash - (aerobaticteams.net) 03.March.2010
Sagar Pawan Kiran Mk. II plane crashed today onto buildings, killing the pilot and co-pilot. The accident occurred at Bowenpally area near Begumpet airport, Hyderabad during an airshow. There are civilians injured and probably dead civilians into the building where the plane crashed. Further investigation will gives more information about the crash. Bad luck follows Indian Aerobatic Teams these days - three days ago Sarang team helicopter were involved in crash, but without casuaties.
Sagar Pawan crash update - (aerobaticteams.net) 04.March.2010
Commander SK Maurya and co-pilot Lt Commander Rahul Nair flying slot airplane were the pilots died in the crash yesterday. All four planes of the Sagar Pawan performs 'downward bomb burst', while the slot didn't succeed to pull its plane on time and crashed onto three buildings injured four peoples on the ground. Shortly before the plane hit the ground Nair managed to eject from the aircraft, but he did not survive as the plane had come too close to the ground, the parachute didn't open up fully, and he got stuck in high tension electric wires. Commander Maurya's body was found in the plane wreckage.
This crash is so similar to Japan Blue Impulse crash on Nov, 14 1982. Then during such maneuver again slot pilot didn't succeed to pull its plane on time and crashed onto buildings.
First Patrouille de France female leader - (aerobaticteams.net) 08.March.2010
For the first time Patrouille de France will be leaded by a woman. Commandant Virginie Guyot became the leader of the Patrouille de France for 2010 season. Last year she was the first team's female pilot. This is the first time that a woman lead a military aerobatic team in the world ever.
Red Arrows 2010 schedule - (aerobaticteams.net) 12.March.2010
Red Arrows announced 2010 display dates here.
Snowbirds 2010 schedule update - (aerobaticteams.net) 13.March.2010
Snowbirds published the complete updates to 2010 schedule here.
Blue Angels first 2010 airshow today - (aerobaticteams.net) 13.March.2010
Blue Angels will open 2010 airshows today with display at El Centro. We wish success to the new team members and clear skies for all 2010 year.
Red Arrows mid-air collision - (aerobaticteams.net) 23.March.2010
One Red Arrows pilot ejected today with minor injuries and later has been taken to hospital, when his aircraft collided with other team's aircraft. The other pilot succeeds to land safely, even that its Hawk lose upper surface of the tail. The incident happened during practice flight in preparation for 2010 show season at Hellenic Air Force Base in Kastelli, Crete. Red Arrows are in Crete for team's winter training.
Red Arrows mid-air collision UPDATE - (aerobaticteams.net) 24.March.2010
The Red Arrows crashed pilots are Red 6 Flt Lt Mike Ling, who ejected safely from 300m altitude and suffered a dislocated shoulder, head and arm cuts, and the Red 7 Flt Lt Dave Montenegro, who land its Hawk with broken tail and fin. Both pilots are Synchro Pair and perform the most extreme maneuvers during Red Arrows displays. They collided when practicing the opposing maneuver in which Red 6 and Red 7 flying against each other and cross their courses. The cause of the crash is definitely the pilot mistake, but which pilot will give an answer the investigation.
Royal NAVY Black Cats lead by a woman - (aerobaticteams.net) 24.March.2010
The Royal Navy two-ship helicopter display team Black Cats, will be lead by a woman for 2010 show season. Lt Becky Frater, 36, based at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, has been selected as the leader Black Cats. She will fly one of the team's Westland Lynx helicopters.
Blue Angels wil perform at Charleston on 17-18 April - (aerobaticteams.net) 1.Apr.2010
Even the cancellation of Air EXPO 2010 at Charleston AFB, the Blue Angels will display in the area of the Charleston Harbor during NAVY week celebrations. Both displays will start at 2 p.m.
Frecce Trocolori 2010 schedule - (aerobaticteams.net) 02.Apr.2010
Frecce Tricolori announced 2010 display dates here.
Esquadrilha da Fumaca fatal crash - (aerobaticteams.net) 03.Apr.2010
One of the Smoke Squadron's pilots Capitan Anderson Amaro Fernandes flying on #2 T-27 Tucano aircraft died after crash on ground performing solo maneuver during airshow at Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The accident occurred on April 2, at 17'20 o'clock after 20 minutes of demonstration, when he performs a two rolls following of half down loop. He didn't succeed to pull the plane on time and smashed to the ground aside of the runaway. It is definitely the pilot mistake, because he starts the half down loop too low with no enough altitude. The other six planes landed safely and none of the public was injured. Crash Video 1 Crash Video 2 Crash Video 3 (Thanks to Wagner Nascimento)
Patrouille de France crash - (aerobaticteams.net) 15.Apr.2010
Capt Sylvian Courtot, who flies the #8 in Patrouille de France, forced to eject during practice flight in the morning of 13 Apr at field near the civilian airport of Plan-de-Dieu, Vaucluse. The aircraft apparently encountered a technical problem. The pilot was slightly injured, and still in the hospital, but no further information is available. It seems that Patrouille de France will delay the start of the new season also like Red Arrows, because of crashes. Until now French Air Force Display Team not published 2010 display dates.
Red Arrows revised 2010 season - (aerobaticteams.net) 15.Apr.2010
Red Arrows revised 2010 schedule following the accident on 23 March. The season will began with a delay in order to retain full nine formation. The new pilot who replace the #6 Flight Lieutenant Mike Ling, is Flight Lieutenant O'Grady. Ling will not recovery fully until the end of 2010. Due to this extended period of training for the new Red Arrows pilot, the team won't perform before Wednesday 16 June 2010. The following Red Arrows' displays will be canceled:
Southend - 30 and 31 May
Santa Pod - 31 May
Perth - 6 May
Salthill, Ireland - 7 Jun
Punchestown, Ireland - 7 Jun
Ramsey, Isle of Man - 8 Jun
Douglas, Isle of Man - 8 Jun
Worthing - 12 Jun
Cosford - 13 Jun
Turkish Stars 2010 Schedule - (aerobaticteams.net) 16.Apr.2010
Turkish Stars anounced 2010 display dates here.
Blue Angels announced new Leader - (aerobaticteams.net) 28.Apr.2010
The new leader for US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron for 2011 and 2012 season will be David E. Koss. He was selected among seven candidates on April 27, at the atrium of National Naval Aviation Museum from admirals and former Blue Angels team members. Koss, a Jacksonville native, is the commanding officer of the VFA-14 Tophatters, a strike fighter squadron in Lemoore, Calif. The present Blue Angels leader Greg McWherter, will turn his duties to Koss, who was McWherter's student at Top Gun.
Female Commanding Officer for Snowbirds - (aerobaticteams.net) 03.May.2010
Lt.-Col. Maryse Carmichael became the first Snowbirds female pilot ever, when she was selected to fly in #3 position in November 2000. On the next year she became the Snowbirds Executive Officer. Now she returns to Snowbirds, but this time like Commanding Officer. In difference to many of the other military demonstration teams, Snowbirds Commanding Officer is NOT the team leader.
Patrouille de France and Krila Oluje 2010 Schedules - (aerobaticteams.net) 15.May.2010
Patrouille de France and Krila Oluje 2010 Schedules are ready and published. Patrouille de France 2010 Schedule, Krila Oluje 2010 Schedule.
Breitling Jet Team in new colors - (aerobaticteams.net) 17.May.2010
The Breitling Jet Team receives a new color scheme for 2010 show season. The yellow tail is removed and now entire fuselage is painted in monochrome black and gray. A big position numbers in grey are painted on the tail and wings. Also they changed the team's logo. (Photos here)
Esquadrilha da Fumaca North America Tour - (aerobaticteams.net) 26.May.2010
Esquadrilha da Fumaca will perform on August, 25 in Atlantic City and on 28,29 in Boston.
Blue Angels Announce 2011 Team Members - (aerobaticteams.net) 10.July.2010
PENSACOLA, Fla. - (Blue Angels official site release)
The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels, announce the officers selected for the 2011 team.
The squadron selected two F/A-18 Hornet pilots, a C-130 pilot, events coordinator, and a flight surgeon to join the team in September. The commanding officer and the public affairs officer were previously selected for the 2011 team, and a maintenance officer has been selected to join the team in 2012.
"Nearly 50 highly qualified officers applied for these positions, so the competition was extremely tough," said Lt. Ben Walborn, the squadron's applications officer. "Over the course of four months, we invite the applicants to attend our shows so the team can get to know each of them personally before we select finalists. Once selected, we bring the finalists down to Pensacola during the Pensacola Beach show to interview them and make a final selection. It's a very thorough and fair process designed to select the best officers to represent the Navy and Marine Corps."
Commanding Officer:
Commander David Koss of Orange Park, Fla., is currently the commanding officer of the VFA-14 "Tophatters" at Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, Calif., and is a 1991 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. Commander Koss was selected in April 2010.F/A-18 Hornet Pilots:
Marine Maj. Brent Stevens, 34, of Knoxville, Tenn., is currently assigned to VMFAT-101 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar, Calif. He is a 1999 graduate of the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
Navy Lt. David Tickle, 29, of Irondale, Ala., is currently assigned to VT-7 at NAS Meridian, Miss. He is a 2002 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
C-130 Aircraft Commander:
Marine Capt. John Hecker, 37, of Huntsville, Ala., is currently assigned to VT-6 at NAS Whiting Field, Fla. He is a 1997 graduate of Auburn University.
Events Coordinator:
Navy Lt. Todd Royles, 31, of Willow Grove, Pa., is currently assigned to VFA-41 at NAS Lemoore, Calif. He is a 2001 graduate of Pennsylvania State University. Maintenance Officer:
Navy Lt. Richard Mercado, 39, of Torrance, Calif., is currently assigned to Fleet Readiness Center Southeast at NAS Jacksonville, Fla. He is a 2001 graduate of Excelsior College. He will join the team in 2012.
Flight Surgeon:
Navy Lt. Jason Smith, 33, of Santa Rosa, Calif., is currently assigned to Navy Operational Support Center at NAS North Island, Calif. He is a 1999 graduate of Yale University.
Public Affairs Officer:
Navy Lt. Katie Kelly, 28, of Elgin, Ill., is currently assigned to Navy Office of Information West. She is a 2004 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. She was selected to join the 2011 team in July 2009.
Seven of these eight officers will join the current nine members of the 2010 team. Expected to return for 2011 are:
F/A-18 Demonstration Pilots:
Navy Lt. Jim Tomaszeski, 31, of Orange Park, Fla.
Navy Lt. Rob Kurrle, Jr., 31, or Statesville, N.C.
Navy Lt. Ben Walborn, 30, of Reading, Pa. Navy Lt. Christian Simonsen, 34, of Coon Rapids, Minn.
C-130 Aircraft Commanders:
Marine Capt. Edward Jorge, 36, of Hollywood, Fla.
Marine Capt. Benjamin Blanton, 32, of Ventura County, Calif.
Maintenance Officer:
Navy Lt. John Thompson, 45, of Baltimore, Md.
Administrative Officer:
Navy Chief Warrant Officer Four Adolfo De Montalvo, 46, of El Paso, Texas.
Supply Officer:
Navy Chief Warrant Officer Three Clive Dixon, 41, of St. Catherine, Jamaica.
Blue Angels will honor ex-team leader - (aerobaticteams.net) 21.June.2010
The Blue Angels will visit Bowling Green, KY in honor of Lt. Cmdr. Johnny Magda. They won't do aerial display, but will participate in the party in dedication of Aviation Heritage Park's restoration of a Magda's F-9F Panther. The Panther is painted in Blue Angels colors like was, when Magda fly in the team. Blue Angels will arrive at 2 p.m. June 23, at Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport and departured in 4:30 p.m.
Magda, a Western Kentucky University graduate, enlisted in the Navy on Sept. 26, 1940, rising to the rank of commander of the Blue Angels. He served on various aircraft carriers and during the Battle of Midway in August 1942, his plane ran out of fuel after an attack on Japanese aircraft carriers and he had to ditch it in the Pacific Ocean, according to a history provided by the Aviation Heritage Park board. Magda was labeled an Ace at age 23. He was the leader of Blue Angels from 1949, and later lead the Sattan's Kitten Squadron in Korea War. On March 9, 1951 Lcdr. Johnny Magda died when his plane hit by the ground-air missile while doing the patrol flight. He was the only one member of the Blue Angels who died in Korea.
Thunderbirds announced 2011 show season officers - (aerobaticteams.net) 23.June.2010
- Capt. Ryan Riley, an F-16 pilot stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, will join the team as the left wing for the squadron as Thunderbird No. 2.
- Capt. Nicholas Holmes, an F-16 pilot stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., will serve as the slot for the squadron as Thunderbird No. 4.
- Capt. John Williams, an F-15 pilot stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., will take over as the opposing solo, Thunderbird No. 6.
- Lt. Col. Jason Koltes, an F-16 pilot serving at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, will join the team as the operations officer, Thunderbird No. 7.
- Capt. Joshua Hawkins, stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, will become the new executive officer, as Thunderbird No. 10.
- Maj. Jason Moore, currently stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., will serve as the maintenance officer, Thunderbird No. 11.
- Selection of the next public affairs officer, Thunderbird No. 12, is delayed until late summer due to the deployed status of one of the finalists.
Red Arrow will take place at Dartmouth - (aerobaticteams.net) 17.July.2010
The organisers confirmed that Red Arrow are no dangerous for the historic buildings around the show site.
Red Arrows banned for air display - (aerobaticteams.net) 13.July.2010
The Royal Air Force display team Red Arrows was banned to perform at Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta, Devon scheduled for Aug 27. The ban comes from regatta committee, because of health and safety fears. More here...
Update: The Red Arrows did not confirm the cancellation of the display at Dartmouth, so the show is on for now.
Blue Angels emergency landing at Dayton - (aerobaticteams.net) 24.July.2010
On July 15, one of the Blue Angels F-18 probably #4, makes an emergency landing during practice flight in preparation of Dayton Airshow. The pilot was reporting that he lost his right engine and was declaring an emergency. Minutes later the plane landed safely. After two days another malfunction strikes Blue Angels at Dayton Airshow, while #6 declared engine stall during taxi. The plane cranked left, pilot did some checks, and when maintenance crew make sure everything was working, after about a 10 min delay, the show started with all 6 planes.
(from radioreference.com forum).
UAE Aerobatic Team - (aerobaticteams.net) 28.July.2010
The UAE Air Force purchased another four Alenia Aermacchi MB-339 in addition to previous supplied six. All ten aircrafts will be ungraded to be used from the new aerobatic display teams of the UAE Air Force. In fact is not confirmed that all ten airplanes will be applied to this display team. The Aermacchi manufacturer will remove the wing tip tanks, will change the fuel system and will be installed the smoke generators in the four UAE national flag colors: white, red, green and black. The UAE aircrafts will be upgraded like the Frecce Tricolori MB-339s. Within a few days Alenia Aermacchi will completing the work over the last four aircrafts, including the painting in elegant black and gold livery.
The team is called unofficially "Knights", but its not confirmed from the United Arab Emirates Air Force that this is the name of the team. Team's first public appearance was on Jan 20, 2010 with a fly-by at the graduation ceremony for pilots and air-traffic control students at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College. Then four MB-339 in camouflage paint scheme fly-passed using red smokes.
Red Arrows grounded due to ejection seat malfunction - (aerobaticteams.net) 30.July.2010
Engineers found the problem during team's Hawks planes inspections at RAF Valley at Anglesey. For now is unknown how long will Red Arrows stay on the ground, but we hope that ground crew will succeed to fix the problem before RAF display team next airshow on Aug 6 at Cowes Week, Isle of Wight.