Patriots Jet Team
Encyclopedia
The Patriots Jet Team is a civilian aerobatic formation team that performs in air shows across western United States of America. The team currently operates as a six-ship team, flying the L-39 Albatros. The Patriots are based in Byron, California
.
The team began flying demonstrations in 2003 with just two L-39 aircraft. In the 2004 airshow season a third L-39 was added. With the success of the 2005 season, the Patriots added a fourth jet for the 2006 season. and in 2010 the Patriots Jet Team expanded to a six-ship aerobatic formation team.
The team is owned by former United Airlines
pilot Randy Howell It is sponsored by companies including Fry's Electronics
and Hot Line Construction, and the ground crew of more than 25 are all volunteers.
The 2011 Patriots Jet Team pilots are:
The first of the Patriots aircraft were purchased in 1999 with additional L-39 Jets purchased through 2002. The aircraft were disassembled and shipped via truck, rail, and sea in a 40 foot container from Europe to the United States. After painstaking restoration by the Airshows America team, the Patriots jets were modified for use on the air show circuit with upgraded avionics systems for navigation and communications, removal of excess weight for better air show performance, addition of a 25 gallon smoke oil tank highlighting a computerized red,white, and blue smoke system, and removal of their previous paint scheme.
The Patriots Jet Team performances feature fast-paced formation flying and choreographed six-ship aerobatic maneuvers, featuring their signature "Tail Slide" maneuver where the jet aircraft actually slides backwards towards the ground; something performed by only two other jet precision teams, Italy's Frecce Tricolori
and the Heavy Metal Jet Team.
Byron, California
Byron is a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 1,277 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
.
The team began flying demonstrations in 2003 with just two L-39 aircraft. In the 2004 airshow season a third L-39 was added. With the success of the 2005 season, the Patriots added a fourth jet for the 2006 season. and in 2010 the Patriots Jet Team expanded to a six-ship aerobatic formation team.
The team is owned by former United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
pilot Randy Howell It is sponsored by companies including Fry's Electronics
Fry's Electronics
Fry's Electronics is a big-box store and retailer of software, consumer electronics, computer hardware, with in store computer repair and custom computer building services and household appliances with a chain of superstores headquartered in Silicon Valley...
and Hot Line Construction, and the ground crew of more than 25 are all volunteers.
The 2011 Patriots Jet Team pilots are:
- Flying Jet #1 The Lead Pilot: Dean "Wilbur" Wright, former USAF Thunderbirds Pilot
- Flying Jet #2 The Right Wingman: Rob "Stache" Hutchinson, accomplished aerobatic pilot
- Flying Jet #3 The Left Wingman: John "Bordz" Posson, accomplished aerobatic pilot
- Flying Jet #4 The Slot Pilot: Paul "Sticky" Strickland, former USAF Thunderbird Pilot
- Flying Jet #5 : Rob "Scratch" Mitchel, former RCAF SnowbirdsSnowbirdsOfficially known as the Royal Canadian Air Force's 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds are Canada's military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team whose purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". The squadron is based at...
Pilot - Flying Jet #6 : Scott "Banker" Ind, former USN Blue AngelsBlue AngelsThe United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team...
Pilot
The first of the Patriots aircraft were purchased in 1999 with additional L-39 Jets purchased through 2002. The aircraft were disassembled and shipped via truck, rail, and sea in a 40 foot container from Europe to the United States. After painstaking restoration by the Airshows America team, the Patriots jets were modified for use on the air show circuit with upgraded avionics systems for navigation and communications, removal of excess weight for better air show performance, addition of a 25 gallon smoke oil tank highlighting a computerized red,white, and blue smoke system, and removal of their previous paint scheme.
The Patriots Jet Team performances feature fast-paced formation flying and choreographed six-ship aerobatic maneuvers, featuring their signature "Tail Slide" maneuver where the jet aircraft actually slides backwards towards the ground; something performed by only two other jet precision teams, Italy's Frecce Tricolori
Frecce Tricolori
The Frecce Tricolori , officially known as the 313° Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico, is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Aeronautica Militare, based at Rivolto Air Force Base, in the north-eastern Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, province of Udine...
and the Heavy Metal Jet Team.