RIAT 2006 News Release
SLEEK SWISS CONFIRM PARTICIPATION
One of the world’s greatest aerobatics display teams, the Patrouille Suisse, have confirmed they will be taking part in this year’s Air Tattoo.
The team will arrive in July with an international reputation for airborne perfection to fly an exacting display at the controls of six sleek F-5E Tiger II jets. When the team was formed in 1964, it consisted of four Hawker Hunter Mk 58s. In 1970, a fifth airplane joined the formation and in 1978 the number of airplanes grew to six, so that displays with two solo pilots became possible. Now in their 42nd year, the Patrouille Suisse are famed worldwide for performing close formations at high speed. The pilots - all volunteers from various frontline squadrons - fly the F-5Es having converted from Hunters in 1994.
The Patrouille Suisse, who last appeared at the Air Tattoo in 2004, are good friends of RIAT and will be among a number of leading international aerobatics display teams taking part in RIAT 06.