The Silver Falcons is the aerobatic display team of the South African Air Force. Based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg near Cape Town, the Silver Falcons fly the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II, the basic trainer of the SA Air Force in a 5-ship routine. The main purpose of the Silver Falcons is to enhance the image of the South African Air Force, encourage recruitment and instill national pride through public display.
Silver Falcons South African Air Force Aerobatic Team
Originally formed in 1953 as the Bumbling Bees and flying the T-6 Harvard and then the de Havilland Vampire. The Bumbling Bees flew a 4 ship formation and made a name for themselves by regularly taking part in South African airshows. The team disbanded in the late 1950s leaving a gap in South African aviation.
During 1966 the Aermacchi MB-326 "Impala" arrived and the Bumbling Bees were reinstated under the command of Colonel Chris Prins. The Silver Falcons were based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg on the West Coast of South Africa, near Cape Town. The team went from strength to strength and the idea to change the name to a more bilingual-sounding name came about. The Silver Falcons ("Die Silwer Valke" in Afrikaans) team was founded and gave their first display in November 1967 at the opening of the Atlas Aircraft Corporation.
During 1986, under the command of Commandant Dave Knoesen, the team was expanded to a 5 ship to bring about more exciting display postures and to include a solo display. The aircraft were also painted in orange, white and blue to represent the then current South African flag.
The Silver Falcons operated from Langebaanweg until the early 1990s, when all the Impala training was moved to Air Force Base Hoedspruit, in the Lowveld region of South Africa, and formed part of 85 Combat Flying School. During 1994 with a new national flag, the aircraft were repainted to represent the colours of the SA Air Force: blue, light blue and white.
The Silver Falcons continued to operate from Hoedspruit until in 1998, the Silver Falcons moved to AFB Langebaanweg and commenced training in the Pilatus Astra. The decision was partly made due to the shortage of flying instructors at 85 CFS and also to display the new turbo-prop trainer to the nation. During this move, the team was once again reduced to a 4 ship. For nine years, the team flew in the standard red and white paint scheme of the Astra fleet.
In 2008, 6 of the Astras were repainted in a unique blue and white livery and the team was expanded to a 5-ship again. Paint for the respray was donated by a local paint supplier, First African Paints. The first display in the new livery was flown at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Expo at AFB Ysterplaat in September 2008.
The Pilatus PC-7 Mk II is a high performance single-engine turboprop aircraft, used by the South African Air Force for ab-initio training. It is powered by a 750 shp limited to 700 Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C engine and is designed for G-loadings between +7 and −3.5 G, making it ideal for aerobatics. The aircraft has a tandem seat configuration with Martin Baker CH-11A ejection seats.
For all practical purposes the PC-7 Mk II can be seen as a hybrid between the PC-7 and the newer PC-9. Both these aircraft types are popular as military trainers and are in service with more than 30 air forces. Like the PC-9, the PC-7 Mk II features a larger cockpit, upgraded airframe and instruments and is fitted with a ventral airbrake, but it retains the smaller engine of the original PC-7.
16 April 1988 – Capt Kobus Griesel ejected from an Aermacchi MB-326 Impala after his engine caught fire during a display at Franschhoek.
2 October 1993 — During an airshow at Lanseria Airport, Falcon 5 crashed during a low-level solo display sequence. Capt Charlie Rudnick ejected moments after structural failure caused the right wing of his Impala Mk I to separate from the fuselage, but was killed on impact.
Current team
The team consists of 5 display pilots, 3 support officers and 12 ground crew members. Falcon 1 is the formation leader, with Falcons 2–5 being the wingmen. All the team's pilots are serving instructors at the Central Flying School.
Team 67
August 2008 - September 2008 September 2008 - October 2008[1]
Zero Error Margin: Airshow Display Flying Analysed by Maj Gen Desmond Barker
Notes
^ abcdef"Silver Falcons teams to date". The Silver Falcons. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
^"The Silver Falcons". The Silver Falcons. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
^"The South African Air Force". Saairforce.co.za. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
^"Silver Falcons". silverfalcons.co.za. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
^"The South African Air Force". Saairforce.co.za. 25 March 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to SAAF Silver Falcons.
Silver Falcons Official website
Silver Falcons Facebook Fan Page
Africa Aerospace & Defence Expo 2008
December 31, 2022
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The Silver Falcons is the aerobatic display team of the South African Air Force Based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg near Cape Town the Silver Falcons fly the Pilatus PC 7 Mk II the basic trainer of the SA Air Force in a 5 ship routine The main purpose of the Silver Falcons is to enhance the image of the South African Air Force encourage recruitment and instill national pride through public display Silver Falcons South African Air Force Aerobatic TeamEmblem of the SAAF Silver FalconsActive1953 presentCountrySouth AfricaBranchSouth African Air ForceRoleAerobatic flight display teamBaseLangebaanwegColoursRed Green Blue Black and WhiteAircraft flownTrainer1946 19 T 6 Harvard19 195 de Havilland Vampire1966 1998 Aermacchi MB 326 Impala 1998 present Pilatus PC 7 Mk II Contents 1 History 2 Aircraft 3 Accidents and incidents 4 Current team 4 1 Team 67 4 2 Team 68 4 3 Team 69 4 4 Team 70 4 5 Team 71 4 6 Team 72 4 7 Team 73 4 4 8 Team 74 1 4 9 Team 75 4 10 Team 76 4 11 Team 77 4 12 Team 78 4 13 Team 79 4 14 Team 80 5 References 5 1 Notes 6 External linksHistory Edit current Silver Falcons paint scheme Originally formed in 1953 as the Bumbling Bees and flying the T 6 Harvard and then the de Havilland Vampire The Bumbling Bees flew a 4 ship formation and made a name for themselves by regularly taking part in South African airshows The team disbanded in the late 1950s leaving a gap in South African aviation During 1966 the Aermacchi MB 326 Impala arrived and the Bumbling Bees were reinstated under the command of Colonel Chris Prins The Silver Falcons were based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg on the West Coast of South Africa near Cape Town The team went from strength to strength and the idea to change the name to a more bilingual sounding name came about The Silver Falcons Die Silwer Valke in Afrikaans team was founded and gave their first display in November 1967 at the opening of the Atlas Aircraft Corporation During 1986 under the command of Commandant Dave Knoesen the team was expanded to a 5 ship to bring about more exciting display postures and to include a solo display The aircraft were also painted in orange white and blue to represent the then current South African flag The Silver Falcons operated from Langebaanweg until the early 1990s when all the Impala training was moved to Air Force Base Hoedspruit in the Lowveld region of South Africa and formed part of 85 Combat Flying School During 1994 with a new national flag the aircraft were repainted to represent the colours of the SA Air Force blue light blue and white The Silver Falcons continued to operate from Hoedspruit until in 1998 the Silver Falcons moved to AFB Langebaanweg and commenced training in the Pilatus Astra The decision was partly made due to the shortage of flying instructors at 85 CFS and also to display the new turbo prop trainer to the nation During this move the team was once again reduced to a 4 ship For nine years the team flew in the standard red and white paint scheme of the Astra fleet In 2008 6 of the Astras were repainted in a unique blue and white livery and the team was expanded to a 5 ship again Paint for the respray was donated by a local paint supplier First African Paints The first display in the new livery was flown at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Expo at AFB Ysterplaat in September 2008 Aircraft EditMain article Pilatus PC 7 The Pilatus PC 7 Mk II is a high performance single engine turboprop aircraft used by the South African Air Force for ab initio training It is powered by a 750 shp limited to 700 Pratt amp Whitney PT6A 25C engine and is designed for G loadings between 7 and 3 5 G making it ideal for aerobatics The aircraft has a tandem seat configuration with Martin Baker CH 11A ejection seats For all practical purposes the PC 7 Mk II can be seen as a hybrid between the PC 7 and the newer PC 9 Both these aircraft types are popular as military trainers and are in service with more than 30 air forces Like the PC 9 the PC 7 Mk II features a larger cockpit upgraded airframe and instruments and is fitted with a ventral airbrake but it retains the smaller engine of the original PC 7 Specifications Wing span 10 19 m Length 10 13 m Max Operating Speed 300 knots 555 km h Maximum Mach Number Mach 0 6 Maximum Operating Altitude 25 000 ft 7 622 m Silver Falcons during a flight demo Stalling Speed Clean 75 knots 139 km h Stalling Speed Landing Configuration 65 knots 120 km h Minimum Speed For Ground Level Ejection 65 knots 120 km h Accidents and incidents Edit16 April 1988 Capt Kobus Griesel ejected from an Aermacchi MB 326 Impala after his engine caught fire during a display at Franschhoek 2 October 1993 During an airshow at Lanseria Airport Falcon 5 crashed during a low level solo display sequence Capt Charlie Rudnick ejected moments after structural failure caused the right wing of his Impala Mk I to separate from the fuselage but was killed on impact Current team EditThe team consists of 5 display pilots 3 support officers and 12 ground crew members Falcon 1 is the formation leader with Falcons 2 5 being the wingmen All the team s pilots are serving instructors at the Central Flying School Team 67 Edit August 2008 September 2008 September 2008 October 2008 1 Falcon 1 Maj Scott Ternent Falcon 2 Capt Guy du Sautoy Falcon 3 Maj Alex Macphail Falcon 4 Capt D Deeflets Falcon 5 Maj Nico FrylinckTeam 68 Edit September 2008 October 2008 1 Falcon 1 Maj Scott Ternent Falcon 2 Capt Guy du Sautoy Falcon 3 Capt Buti Tsebe Falcon 4 Capt D Deeflets Falcon 5 Maj Nico FrylinckTeam 69 Edit October 2008 December 2008 1 Falcon 1 Maj Scott Ternent Falcon 2 Capt Roy Sproul Falcon 3 Capt Buti Tsebe Falcon 4 Capt D Deeflets Falcon 5 Maj Nico FrylinckTeam 70 Edit January 2009 December 2010 1 Falcon 1 Maj Scott Ternent Leader Falcon 2 Capt Roy Sproul Falcon 3 Capt Buti Tsebe Falcon 4 Capt Gerhard Lourens Falcon 5 Maj Nico Frylinck Soloist Ancillary Members Ground Liaison Officer Capt Heybrech van Niekerk Public Relations Officer 2Lt Brian Goldschmidt dd Team 71 Edit March 2011 December 2011 1 Falcon 1 Capt Roy Sproul Leader Falcon 2 Capt Heybrech van Niekerk first female member Falcon 3 Capt Buti Tsebe Falcon 4 Capt Gerhard Lourens Falcon 5 Maj Beau Skarda Soloist Team 72 Edit December 2011 May 2012 2 3 Falcon 1 Maj Roy Sproul Leader Falcon 2 Capt Heybrech van Niekerk first female member Falcon 3 Lt Jacques Poolman Falcon 4 Capt Gerhard Lourens Falcon 5 Maj Beau Skarda Soloist Team 73 4 Edit Falcon 1 Maj Roy Sproul Leader Falcon 2 Maj Werner Vermaak Falcon 3 Lt Jacques Poolman Falcon 4 Maj Heybrech van Niekerk first female member 5 Falcon 5 Maj Beau Skarda Soloist Ancillary Members Ground Liaison Officer Capt Mark Gentles Public Relations Officer Lt Brian Goldschmidt dd Team 74 1 Edit Falcon 1 Maj Roy Sproul Leader Falcon 2 Capt Mark Gentles Falcon 3 Lt Jacques Poolman Falcon 4 Maj Werner Vermaak Falcon 5 Maj Beau Skarda Soloist Ancillary Members Ground Liaison Officer Capt Loedolff Muller Public Relations Officer Lt Brian Goldschmidt dd Team 75 Edit Falcon 1 Maj Beau Skarda Leader Falcon 2 Capt Mark Gentles Falcon 3 Capt Loedolff Muller Falcon 4 Maj Werner Vermaak Falcon 5 Capt Jacques Poolman Soloist Ancillary Members Ground Liaison Officer Still to be elected Public Relations Officer Capt Christo Jansen dd Team 76 Edit Falcon 1 Maj Beau Skarda Leader Falcon 2 Maj Marc Bennett Falcon 3 Maj Loedolff Muller Falcon 4 Maj Werner Vermaak Falcon 5 Maj Mark Gentles Soloist Major Jacques Poolman official reservist Team 77 Edit Falcon 1 Maj Werner Vermaak Leader Falcon 2 Maj Marc Bennett Falcon 3 Capt Jacques Poolman Falcon 4 Maj Loedolff Muller Falcon 5 Maj Mark Gentles Soloist Team 78 Edit Falcon 1 Maj Werner Vermaak Leader Falcon 2 Maj Marc Bennett Falcon 3 Maj Shaun Constable Falcon 4 Maj Loedolff Muller Falcon 5 Maj Mark Gentles Soloist Team 79 Edit Falcon 1 Maj Mark Gentles Leader Falcon 2 Maj James Wilcox Falcon 3 Capt Omphile Mutloane Falcon 4 Maj Marc Bennett Falcon 5 Maj Shaun Constable Soloist Team 80 Edit Falcon 1 Maj Mark Gentles Leader Falcon 2 Maj James Wilcox Falcon 3 Major Sivuyile Tangana Falcon 4 Capt Wendy Badenhorst Falcon 5 Capt Omphile Mutloane Soloist References EditSilver Falcons Official website Ejection history org uk Project Get out and Walk Zero Error Margin Airshow Display Flying Analysed by Maj Gen Desmond BarkerNotes Edit a b c d e f Silver Falcons teams to date The Silver Falcons Retrieved 17 March 2014 The Silver Falcons The Silver Falcons Retrieved 26 July 2012 The South African Air Force Saairforce co za 26 July 2011 Retrieved 26 July 2012 Silver Falcons silverfalcons co za Retrieved 9 November 2012 The South African Air Force Saairforce co za 25 March 2011 Retrieved 26 July 2012 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to SAAF Silver Falcons Silver Falcons Official website Silver Falcons Facebook Fan Page Africa Aerospace amp Defence Expo 2008 Silver Falcons Blog Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Silver Falcons amp oldid 1106665193, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
