The T-6A Aircraft Demonstration Team constitutes an ambitious venture which aims at spreading and cultivating the air concept in the Greek community and at enhancing the morale of the Hellenic Armed Forces, while, at the same time, it is projecting the work of the Hellenic Air Force cadres to the wide public.
The aircraft used in the air shows is the training aircraft T-6A Texan II.
In order for each air show of the T-6A Aircraft Demonstration Team to be successful and safe, the harmonic cooperation of a number of people is required. These people are :
- The main Demonstration Pilot.
- The Flight & Ground Safety Observing Officer, who is responsible for the continuous control of the flight project’s safe conduct, observing the limitations regarding the flight height and has the jurisdiction to intervene and order the interruption of the maneuver if he decides that it is not performed correctly.
- The narrator officer, who is responsible for narrating, explaining and commenting on the maneuvers performed to the public.
- The aircraft’s preparation and support technical personnel
History
The T-6A Aircraft Demonstration Team was established in 2005 in the context of the 1st International Air Show “Archangel”, continuing the glorious history of the HAF acrobatic flights: “Four Aces”, “Acro Team”, “Greek Flame”, “New Greek Flame” after an absence from the Greek skies of approximately four decades.
Following communication with United States Air Force, two USAF instructors, namely Captain Jeff Stift, instructor of the West Coast Demo Team and Captain Eric Mc Umper, Ground-Flight Safety Observing Officer of the East Coast Demo Team of USAF, arrived at 120 Air Training Wing, in Kalamata.
In total, five Pilots from 361 Air Training Sqn were trained. The two Pilots chosen to carry out the Air Show’s flight project was Major (I) Nikolaos Chriistopoulos and Major (P) Nikolaos Malapanis.
The training course began on 26 July 2005, was concluded on 16 August 2005 and included 18 co-pilot flights and 12 solo flights while the hours required were 20.8.
On Sunday, 18 September 2005, the T-6A Aircraft Demonstration Team performed the first public air show at 114 Combat Wing at the airfield or Tanagra, during the International Air Show “Archangel” in the context of the festivities held to honor the Hellenic Air Force’s Patrons, Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
Air Show Maneuvers
The T-6A aircraft of the Demonstration Team has the ability, depending on the prevailing weather conditions and the clouds base altitude in the area of the show, to carry out two acrobatic maneuver projects: A High one and a Low one. More specifically, there are:
High Show
- Ελάχιστο ύψος βάσης νεφών 4500 πόδια πάνω από το έδαφος (AGL), οριζόντια ορατότητα 5 χιλιόμετρα.
Flat Show
- Ελάχιστο ύψος βάσης νεφών 2500 πόδια πάνω από το έδαφος (AGL) και οριζόντια ορατότητα 5 χιλιόμετρα.
High Show
- Takeoff Roll
- Cuban Eight
- Eight Point Roll
- Reverse Half Cuban Eight
- Texas Sidewinder
- Level 360°- Kerry Turn
- Fish Hook
- Reverse Half Cuban Eight
- Opposing Roll – High Speed
- Landing Gear down Pass
- Rapid rise for photography
- High Speed Photo Pass
- Tactical Pitch-up to Land
Flat Show
- Takeoff Roll
- Cuban Eight
- Eight Point Roll
- Reverse Half Cuban Eight
- Texas Sidewinder
- Level 360°- Kerry Turn
- Fish Hook
- Reverse Half Cuban Eight
- Opposing Roll – High Speed
- Landing Gear down Pass
- Rapid rise for photography
- High Speed Photo Pass
- Tactical Pitch-up to Land
Air Show Maneuvers
