Patrouille Acrobatique de France (French Acrobatic Patrol) also known as the Patrouille de France or PAF, is French air display team. Alpha Jet plane
The Patrouille Acrobatique de France (French Acrobatic Patrol), also known as the Patrouille de France or PAF, is the precision aerobatic demonstration team of the French Air Force. Originating in 1931, it is the world's oldest and one of the most skilled demonstration teams. Pilots currently fly the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet. The team have flown a number of aircraft types, changing to the Alpha Jet, with an additional plane added to increase the team from seven to eight, in 1982. The aircraft, under the leadership of Squadron Leader Bernard Inge, has remained unchanged to this day. In 1986, the team took part in an historic fly-past above New York City. In 2009, the Patrouille de France achieved a world premiere when Commandant Virginie Guyot was appointed leader, becoming the first woman in history to lead a demonstration team. The Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet is a light attack jet and advanced trainer aircraft co-manufactured by Dassault Aviation of France and Dornier of Germany. Adopted by several air forces worldwide, the Alpha Jet continues to be widely used even though its useful service life is over in France and Germany, its primary operators. The French Air Force decided to use the Alpha Jet primarily as a trainer, and the first production Alpha Jet for the French made its first flight on 4 November French variant was known as the Alpha Jet E (the "E" standing for Ecole, French for "School") or Alpha Jet Advanced Trainer/Light Attack aircraft. Initial deliveries to France for service trials were in 1978, leading to introduction to line service in May 1979, replacing the Canadair T-33 and Fouga Magister in jet training and the Dassault Mystère IVA in weapons training. The Patrouille de France, air demonstration team of the French Air Force, fly the Alpha total of 176 production Alpha Jet E machines were delivered up to 1985, not the 200 that had been planned.
Size: 4080px × 6159px
Location: Fairford, Glos, UK
Photo credit: © Avpics / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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