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Text: |
Michael E. Fader |
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Pictures: |
Michael E. Fader |
Gateguard at Locarno, an old P-3 Trainer (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Team 2026 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The Swiss Air Force laid the foundations for the now internationally renowned PC-7 TEAM in the 1970s, when two Pilatus P-3s were flown in formation to perform aerobatics. Following the introduction of the Pilatus PC-7 Turbo-Trainer in 1982, solo displays were performed using the new orange-and-silver training aircraft. On the occasion of the Air Force Championships in 1987, the then commander of the Surveillance Wing, Colonel Hansruedi Ruesch, ordered a formation of nine PC-7s into the air for the first time. On 20 July 1987, the first nine volunteers gathered in Locarno, the Swiss Air Force’s pilot training centre, for a three-day training course. The first display took place on 29. August 1987 in Dübendorf to great public acclaim.
Preperation
Since 2014, the aircraft
have been able to be fitted with a smoke system developed and funded by
Pilatus; the first demonstration using smoke generators took place on 1
August 2014 at the roll-out of the Pilatus PC-24 at Buochs Airfield.
There are currently seven smoke systems available, which can be fitted
in the PC-7’s luggage compartment. The diesel-oil mixture is injected
into the PC-7’s right exhaust.
The team will be performing
at the following events this year.
24.May 2026 - Kantonales Schwingfest in Murten
7. June 2026 - Trachtenchorfest in Sursee
27. June 2026 - Trucker & Country Festival in Interlaken
5. July 2026 - Giron du Centre in Aigle
19. July 2026 -Swiss Open in Gstaad
23.July 2026 - Air Show in Leeming (UK)
29.August 2026 - Future Days in Tramelan
3. September 2026 - Tattoo in Avences
12.September 2026 - Aerobex in Bex.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
The Trainaing
In April, Wings-Aviation was able to watch the team’s training session in Locarno.
The entire team, consisting of nine aircraft, performed several fly-pasts at the start of the display, executing fairly rapid formation changes. Two soloists then broke away to perform individual manoeuvres. These often involved flying past each other with a fly-by in front of the audience. The team then split into two formations of four. The soloist then performed individual fly-bys. Towards the end of the display, a figure-of-eight formation was formed again, and manoeuvres such as the cross formation and the tunnel – in which the soloist flies through the formation – were performed.
All in all, a solid display structured similarly to previous years.
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Das PC-7-Team setzt sich 2026 aus den folgenden Piloten zusammen. Oberst Lt. Gael Lachat "Gali" hat dabei den langjährigen Kommandanten Oberst Lt. Daniel Stämpfli „Stampa“ abgelost. Weiter sind zwei Piloten neu in Team.
| Rufname | Position | Name |
|---|---|---|
| Commander | - | Oberst Lt. Gael Lachat "Gali" |
| Uno | Leader | Capt Silvian Andereggen "Gollum“ |
| Due | Right Wing | Capt Linus Schmugge "Shine" |
| Tre | Left Wing | Capt Joel Buillard "Nebbia" |
| Quattro | Slot | Capt Richard Müller "Richi" |
| Cinque | left outer wing | Capt Cédric Businger "Muzzi" |
| Sexi | Right outer wing | Capt Pascal Haldenstein "Aldi" |
| Sette | 2. Solo | Capt Sandro Chinotti "Juri" |
| Otto | 1. Solo | Capt Yanik Lauper "Sindi" |
| Nove | 2. Lead | Capt Simon Burri "Hampi" |
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Return
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
(Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
Team 2026 (Picture courtesy Michael E. Fader)
