Patrulla Aguila in Finland, 2001

Patrulla Aguila in Finland, 2001.

The following report of the debut visit to Finland by the Spanish Air Force aerobatic team, Patrulla Aguila, has been provided by SIG member Perttu Karivalo, from Finland.

Patrulla Aguila was supposed to participate already Oulu International Airshow 1997, but the trip to Finland was cancelled then. This in mind it was a very welcome sight to finally see the team's Casa C-101 trainers in a nice formation overflying Tikkakoski AB. Team arrived on Thursday around 2 p.m. together with their C-130H-30 Hercules. Due afternoon arrival Aguila had time to practise their nice display on the same day.

Their practise display was very nice but the team did not quite follow the European Joint Aviation Regulations TGL-5 that specifies all the safety recommendations to follow during the airshows. Finland has been using these recommendations as mandatory since 1997. TGL-5 forbids flying over the crowd and the closest distance the display jets can come to the crowd is 230 meters (in USA it is 1500 feet). Patrulla Aguila started its practise display very nicely, but the formation flew straight over the crowd, which is not allowed. The solo jets had also difficulties to stay outside the 230 m safety distance from the crowd. Otherwise their practise display was very nice and real crowd pleaser. Patrulla Aguila's team leader and the airshow director discussed about their practise display and together found good solutions to correct Aguila's display to meet all the safety regulations.

Saturday, Patrulla Aguila gave very impressive display and all the spectators were very satisfied. The team flew very nicely and followed all the safety rules and regulations. Very professional display on Saturday. This in mind it was a surprise when Patrulla Aguila flew on Sunday they had forgot the safety regulations again. They started the show flying straight over the crowd. The most dangerous situations came when the crossing solos flew fly-bys front of the crowd. The solos did not follow the 230 m safety distance to the crowd. The solos broke the 230 meter safety distance with over 100 meters. This is totally unforgettable and very dangerous if engine fails.

Several aviation enthusiast and professionals wondered why Patrulla Aguila, they all taught as professional display team, broke the safety rules on Sunday. Many got an impression that Patrulla Aguila didn't care about the safety rules and regulations on Sunday anymore, because they would fly home next day anyway. The way Patrulla Aguila displayed does not give very professional picture of the Spanish Air Force Flight Instructors and way of thinking.

Patrulla Aguila is a great military aerobatic team, and I hope to see them again, but hope that they realised that with the way they flew on Sunday in Jyväskylä Airshow, Finland is not the way they will gain more respect in the eyes of aviation professionals.

Here are some photos of Patrulla Aguila's time in Finland :-