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Urs Schnyder |
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Urs Schnyder, Michael E. Fader & Chakrit Samithinan |
Franky Zapata
Now here we had something completely different. The French Jet ski champion Franky Zapata had developed something that he calls a Flyboard Air. It is basically a small board with jet engines attached that make it possible to lift himself into the air. Some more jets are used to stabilize and direct the board. He can achieve a maximum speed of about 150 km/h with it.
2016 he achieved a world record when he covered a distance of 2'052 meters, at a height of 50 meters over water, off the cost of southern France.
He is however now forbidden to use the Flyboard in France being threatened with charges and possible arrest for flying over populated areas and flying an aircraft without the necessary qualifications and permits.
There was no such danger in Sion however and Franky could show the possibilities of his board. It was impressive to see how quick he changed from speed to hover with ease.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Display-Teams
With ten aerobatic teams on the program, the airshow offered everything from fast jet to ultralight and gliders. This was really a program of contrasts where the different acts are difficult to compare with each other.
Sukhoi Su-26
This surprisingly
was the only modern aerobatic type that performed solo at Sion.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Frecce Tricolori
Well known as the biggest of the aerobatic teams when it comes to
numbers of aircraft, the Frecce are without doubt also one of the best.
Their performance was matched by the enthusiasm of their two
commentators who carried the audience through the display. One notable
difference from previous years was the absence of single crossover
manoeuvres or crazy flying for which they were famous in other years.
Most of the flying was done in Formation and the closing up of two
smaller formations into a big one were especially pleasing to look at.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
Breitling Jet Team
The only jet aerobatic team that is not part of an air force. Flying six
Aero L-39 Albatros, it traces its origins back to 1982 and the Martini
Team. After flying Pilatus PC-7 for many years, they converted to the
current aircraft when they were sponsored by the Algerian company
Khalifa. When that company terminated their sponsorship, Breitling took
over, until now. Most of the pilots had served in the French Air Force
before they joined the team.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Pioneer Team
This is a
civilian Team from Italy, flying four ultralight Pioneer 330 aircraft.
The team was founded in 2005 and has since displayed in many countries.
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
PC-7 Team
The team was founded in 1989 for the 75th anniversary of the Swiss Air
Force. They have been flying the standard trainer, the Pilatus PC-7. All
the Pilots are normally flying the F-18. They fly in their spare time
for the team. The team is often flying in formation together with other
aircraft of the Air Force.
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Blanix Team
This is probably the only team flying gliders. Using the Blanik L13
built in Czechia in 1965 and 1972, the Team started in 2002. It quickly
became known also outside its home base of Aigen in Austria. Today the
team is sponsored by Red Bull
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
P-3 Flyers
Flying the former Swiss primary trainer Pilatus PC-3 they flew their
first display in 1996 with 2 aircraft. By 2006 the number had grown to 5
aircraft with which they presently perform their shows. Every spring
they meet for three days to train and get the necessary display approval
from the authorities. Besides Switzerland they have also performed in
the rest of Europe.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Royal Jordanian Falcons
The Royal Jordanian Falcons were founded in 1976 at the initiative of
King Hussein bin Talal. They are flying five German
Walter Extra 300L of which one is the reserve aircraft. All the pilots
are members or the Jordanian Air Force. They have already displayed all
over the world. When in Jordan they are based at the airport of Aqaba.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Paras
There were several
displays by parachutists at Sion by the local clubs. In one instance
they went up with two aircraft to be able to form a circle while in free
fall.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Classic Formation
Owned and financed by Hugo Mathys the three aircraft fly between 30 and
50 hours every year. They are frequently seen at different airshows in
Europe.
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Chakrit Samithinan)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Patrouille Suisse
Formed in 1964 on the Hawker Hunter, they converted to the F-5 when the
Hunter was taken out of service in 1994. The current colour scheme was
decided by a national competition in which everybody could take part.
The six aircraft are used as aggressors in normal service. They often
perform at events and airshows abroad. Like the PC-7 Team, all the
pilots do this in their spare time.
After their display was finished, a lot of people started leaving already, although the show was far from over.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
Wingwalkers
They are actually called the Aerosuperbatics company that was founded in
1989. They normally perform with two aircraft at airshows. However, they
have a total of four aircraft and five wing walking Ladies who are doing
their daring routine on the top of their Boeing-Stearman Model 75
biplanes. Before Breitling took over sponsorship, they were flying as
Utterly Butterly and Crunchie display team. I guess it must have been a
bit demotivating for the girls to see all the people leaving before they
had finished their performance.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)
(Picture courtesy Urs Schnyder)