Halcones
| Halcones | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Country: |
 Chile
|
| Currently used aircraft type: | Extra 300 |
| Sponsor: | Fuerza Aérea de Chile |
| Founding: | 1981 |
| Colours: | Blue, red, white |
The Escuadrilla de Alta Acrobacia Halcones , known simply as the "Falcons", is an active group of nine pilots from the Fuerza Aérea de Chile who have been specially trained for aerobatics. One of the hallmarks of the Halcones is the creation of the Chilean flag in the air with smoke. The team flies extra 300 planes . The Halcones had demonstrations in Ecuador , Brazil , Great Britain , Belgium , USA , Canada , Israel , France , Peru and Bolivia , among others .
Planes
Pitts Special (1981-1990)
The Air Force acquired the Pitts Special models S-2A and S-2S. This agile double decker was made in the USA. The S-2A is powered by a 200 hp Lycoming engine, the S-2S by a 260 hp engine.
The Halcones used the Pitts for about 400 events in their home country and abroad. During these years the team became well known, which led to the following invitations to international events:
| year | occasion |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Ecuatorian Air Force Anniversary. |
| 1987 | International Air Tattoo, Inglaterra. |
| 1988 | Brazilian Air Force Anniversary |
| 1989 | Sanicole Air Show, Bélgica. |
| 1989 | International Air Tattoo and 4th Anniversary of NATO , England. |
The last demonstration with the aircraft type was on February 25, 1990.
Extra 300 (1990-2003)
In 1990 the Pitts were replaced by a new type of aircraft: the Extra 300 . This German monoplane is powered by a 6-cylinder Textron Lycoming engine with 300 hp.
The team made about 400 presentations with the Extra 300 in Chile (from Arica to Punta Arenas and Easter Island) and abroad.
| year | occasion |
|---|---|
| 1990 | USA Springfield Air rendezvous. |
| 1993 | England International Air Tattoo. |
| 1995 | Canada Abbotsford International Air Show. |
| 1995 | USA Open House Air Show. |
| 1997 | USA anniversary USAF. |
| 1998 | Israel, anniversary of the Israel Air Force. |
| 1998 | France, First World patrols Acrobat. |
| 2001 | Ecuador, AnniversaryEcuador Air Force. |
| 2001 | Peru School of Aviation. |
| 2002 | Brasil 50th anniversary of Esquadrilha da Fumaça . |
| 2002 | England International Air Tattoo. |
| 2007 | 50th anniversary of the Bolivian Air Force. |
| 2012 | Brasil 60th anniversary of Esquadrilha Da Fumaça . |
The last demonstration with the Extra 300 was on May 13, 2012.
Extra 300L (2003 – present)
Due to the success achieved with the Extra 300, the team switched to the improved Extra 300L. The Extra 300L is a low wing variant of the Extra 300.
The first Halcones demonstration with the Extra 300L was on February 29, 2003.
Awards
During its 31 years of service, the aerobatic team has visited countries such as Ecuador, Brazil, Canada, USA, England, Belgium, Israel, France and Peru.
- Best Air Display
This award was given in Springfield 1990 in honor of the presentation of the new Extra 300. The "Halcones" were the first aerobatic team to use this aircraft for aerobatics.
- Sir Douglas Bader
This prize was awarded to the team on their second visit to England at the International Air Tattoo in 1993. This is the festival's most prestigious award.
- Best Individual Flying Demonstration
In 1993, while participating in the International Air Tattoo in England, the team received the award for the best presentation of a team abroad, as "Best Individual Demonstration".
- 50th anniversary of the USAF
As part of the fiftieth anniversary ceremony of the United States Air Force in 1997, the Halcones were invited.
- 50th anniversary of the IAF
In 1998 the “Halcones” were invited to the 50th anniversary of the Israeli Air Force .
- Ives Duval
This prize was awarded in Évreux in July 1998 during the first World Patrol Aerobatic Championship for the centenary of the Aeroclub de France. Thirteen countries and their respective aerobatic teams were invited to this festival. The "Halcones" were selected as the "Best of the Best". The participants in this event were tasked with choosing the winning team; The prize was awarded by the French Minister of Defense, accompanied by the Commander in Chief of the Air Force.
Incidents
- On August 8, 2007, Captain Mario Costa's No. 5 aircraft collided with another aircraft in the group during a training exercise. During the emergency landing, the aircraft rolled into a parked vehicle, the pilot was rescued uninjured.
- On November 9, 2011, pilot number 3, Lieutenant Cristián Padilla, crashed his Extra-300L during a routine exercise on "El Bosque" and after touring around the country. The 28-year-old pilot was killed. The exact cause of the accident is still being investigated.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ The piloto del group "Los Halcones" al sufrir accidente en Base Aérea El Bosque . Radio.uchile.cl. Retrieved February 19, 2014.