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Precision - Speed - Audacity
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I’ve been honored to experience a uniquely varied career
just seen something uniquely special. It is astounding and
in flight over the years. Before being chosen by NASA to
as a pilot I can assure you, unbelievably fun to fly. When
fly the space shuttle, I logged thousands of hours in over
you watch a Breitling Jet Team performance, it is plain to
50 different aircraft as a US Naval aviator and test pilot.
see how much sheer joy they take in demonstrating their
I’ve flown in combat off of an aircraft carrier and been to
talents for you.
space and back four times. As a result of all this, I think
it’s pretty safe to say I know a good pilot when I see one
Mark Kelly
– let alone seven of them! And so, it is my privilege to
welcome the Breitling Jet Team to the United States for
the first time.
The Breitling Jet Team elevates flying to the level of high
art. With their unmatched precision and coordination at
incredible speeds, they transcend the mastery of their
craft. It is no small wonder that these seven men have
been training together for over a decade; I think you have
to train together that much to maneuver aircraft like this
within just a few feet of each other. They are clearly the
world’s greatest as well as largest civilian jet aerobatic
team!
As with all great artists, they make it all look so easy. To see
seven planes fly overhead as one cohesive unit looks really
cool, and then they do a maneuver and another and you
find yourself grinning from ear to ear, knowing that you’ve
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BREITLING JET TEAM
The largest professional civilian
aerobatic jet team
Precision. Speed. Audacity. Aerobatics is one of the
world’s most demanding disciplines – and one of the most
fascinating sights. A concentrated blend of technique,
mastery and style. In order to share its passion for aero­
batics with a broad audience, Breitling has created the
Breitling Jet Team, the world’s largest professional civilian
flight team performing in jets. With its fast and powerful
aircraft piloted by flying aces, this unique aerobatics team
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illustrates the brand’s cherished values: performance,
precision, aesthetic sophistication and innovation. Each
appearance of the Breitling Jet Team is a breathtaking
vision. A meticulously coordinated ballet in which planes
sometimes fly within 10 feet of each other at speeds of
over 435 mph! A rapid-fire succession of figures that are
perfectly calculated, mastered, synchronized and finetuned down to the smallest details – exactly like a Breitling
chronometer movement.
Welcome to a world where outstanding feats are com­
mon­place, and the impossible happens every day!
You simply do not become the “official supplier
to world aviation” by chance
Here at Breitling, we have shared the finest hours
including Boeing 707, DC-8 and Caravelle planes. The
Today, more than ever, Breitling is synonymous with
in the conquest of the skies, and in doing so we
brand became the “official supplier to world aviation”.
aviation. The brand perpetuates its longstanding ties with
have chosen the best spots: in aircraft cockpits and
on pilots’ wrists. That is how we have become the
In 1984 and in close collaboration with the Frecce
aircraft, by operating several exceptional teams, by
privileged partner of aeronautics.
Tricolori elite aerobatics team, Breitling created the
associating with the world’s finest air shows, and by
famous Chronomat – an instrument that has become its
cooperating with the international elite among pilots and
star model and a benchmark among pilot’s chronographs.
squadrons.
Aviation pioneers needed precise, reliable and highperforming instruments. They naturally turned to Breitling’s
pocket chronographs and later wrist chronographs. In
1931, Breitling enriched its range with a “specialty” that
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aeronautics by supporting the restoration of legendary
was to earn it worldwide celebrity: onboard chrono­
graphs intended for aircraft cockpits, where they enabled
a precise calculation of flight times. These instruments
designed to withstand the most extreme conditions,
while maintaining maximum readability and functionality,
enjoyed great success among the various armed forces,
including the Royal Air Force, which fitted them on its
famous propeller fighter planes during World War II. In
addition to onboard chronographs, the “Breitling HUIT
Aviation” department created a number of wrist chrono­
graphs specially dedicated to aviators.
1952 saw the birth of the famous Navitimer, designed for
pilots and aviation professionals.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Breitling accompanied the
boom in commercial aviation by supplying its onboard
chronographs for propeller-driven and later jet-powered
aircraft of the largest manufacturers and airlines –
An obsession with quality
Breitling has its very own place among watch
Breitling is the world’s only major watch brand
brands: the highly exclusive ‘stronghold’ of technical
to equip all its models (both mechanical and
watches, mainly chronographs. A longstanding
quartz) with chronometer-certified movements
partner of aviation, a field where reliability and
– the ultimate benchmark in terms of reliability
precision play a vital role, the brand has always
and precision, and the only one based on an
devoted premier importance to the quality of its
international norm. Breitling wrist instruments are
products, designed to withstand intensive use in the
100% Swiss made, from case to movement and from
most trying conditions.
dial to strap/bracelet.
Whether it comes to enhancing the precision of its
movements, reinforcing the sturdiness of the cases,
improving the readability of the dials or developing
new functions, the firm constantly optimizes the
performances of its “instruments for professionals”
in harmony with the highest standards of Swiss
watchmaking.
Cockpit B50, the ultimate pilot’s instrument equipped with
the exclusive Breitling SuperQuartzTM Caliber B50
The Navitimer, launched in 1952, a cult object for aviation enthusiasts
Super Avenger, a loyal companion for all challenges with its
imposing and ultra-sturdy 48 mm case
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EXTREMELY RIGOROUS TRAINING
In early March, the team begins training in order to put
not need any additional training sessions. In parallel with
together the program of demonstrations that it will per­
the airborne training, the pilots engage in specific phy­­sical
form at each of its appearances. Pilots train at a rate
preparation on the ground in order to enhance their ability
of two to three flights per day, four days a week. Each
to withstand the stresses and strains related to actual flying,
training session lasts around 40 minutes and generates
including sudden accelerations, acute nervous tension, and
tremendous nervous tension, involving planes flying at
a breathtaking pace.
around 10 ft from each other, sometimes less, all at almost
435 mph, and coping with accelerations of up to 8 G.
Each flight is prepared, video-recorded and followed by
a debriefing – an indispensable prerequisite if one is to
progress to the point of perfection perceived from the
ground. The Breitling Jet Team maintains this rhythm
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until April, when demonstrations begin. The team then
gives two to three shows a week and therefore does
Formations
Crossbow
Rocket
Blackbird
Arrowhead
Avenger
BLACK Diamond
A BREATHTAKING SIGHT
Based in Dijon, France, the Breitling Jet Team performs
A few stats: Speeds range from 435 mph at the
internationally in around fifty demonstrations each
start of the figure to less than 62 mph at the
season, at air shows, Formula 1 Grand Prix races, major
peak. The pilots are subjected to accelerations
sports events, etc. In these dazzling performances, a
of up to 8 G (the person has the impression of
unique association of speed, precision and audacity
weighing eight times his normal weight).
matches the sheer beauty of the figures presented.
The aerobatics program presented by the Breitling
Jet Team generally lasts about 20 minutes. The figures
performed by the seven L-39C planes are highlighted
by a (bio-degradable) smoke-trail system, and also
enhanced by a musical accompaniment as well as
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by commentary, all of which further heightens the
Maneuvers
VERTICAL SPLIT
BARREL ROLL
OPPOSITE BARREL ROLL
1/4 CLOVER
SYNCHRO PAIR PERCUSSION
Well-defined roles: While the leader traces out
the flight paths in the sky and ensures safety in
respect to the ground, it is the team members
who guarantee symmetry and safe distances
between the planes. This genuine team effort
LOOP AND "BE ONE" BEND
APACHE ROLL
calls for complete mutual trust.
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intensity of the sight. During the demonstration, the
planes alternate figures performed while flying in
formation – at around 10 feet from each other (or
even less in some configurations) – with formation
breaks, crossovers and all manner of original and
spectacular maneuvers...
360° BLACKBIRD FORMATION
LOOP
OCEAN MASTER WAVE
FINAL BREAK
SEVEN SUPERB AIRCRAFT
The Breitling Jet Team is made up of seven L-39C Albatros
of the breathtaking aerobatics they perform. A bold,
aircraft, Czech-made twin-seater military training jets
high-impact design in which each pilot’s number appears
that can also be used for passenger flights. These ma­g­
in an extremely original way, tightly framed and cropped
nificent planes represent an excellent compromise
to follow the shape of the wings and ailerons. Another
between performance, aesthetics, reliability and operating
spectacular detail lies in the dark shade of their fuselage,
costs. They were widely used in all former Soviet bloc
which creates a vivid contrast with the metal gray of the
countries. To accentuate their powerful, taut and dynamic
underside of the wings and sometimes makes the jets
appearance, Breitling has equipped them with a black,
look almost like missiles when viewed from the ground.
anthracite gray and metal gray livery perfectly reflecting
their spectacular feats – while also improving the visibility
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Specifications
Max speed in level flight
465 mph
Max speed in a dive
565 mph
Ceiling
36,000 ft
Thrust
3,970 lbs
Mass when performing
8,820 lbs
Max G force
+8 G / –4 G
Length
40 ft
Wing span
31 ft
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SEASONED PILOTS
The pilots of the Breitling Jet Team are all highly experienced
professionals, mostly from the French Air Force or the
Patrouille de France. The team has its own mechanics in
charge of guaranteeing the availability of planes and safety
at air shows thanks to extremely meticulous maintenance.
In all, a dozen people work full time to back up the perfor­
mances of the Breitling Jet Team which represents a unique
blend of professionalism and passion.
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Jacques Bothelin
Leader and manager of the Breitling Jet Team, Jacques
Bothelin – nicknamed “Speedy” – is one of the world’s
most experienced aerobatics pilots. He has clocked up
over 11,500 flight hours on 145 types of planes, and
performed around 2,900 demonstrations in 37 countries.
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As manager, he handles the flight team’s schedule and
defines the show program. As leader, he heads the for­
mation, flying plane No. 1.
Philippe Laloix
Luc Herbinière
Coach and stand-in
Presenter and support aircraft pilot
After a career as a fighter pilot on Mirage F1 and Alpha Jet
Luc Herbinière serves as both the presenter for the team
aircraft, “Sheriff” became part of the Patrouille de France,
and as the captain of the support aircraft. During the
where he stayed for five years. In 1998, he joined Jacques
shows, he is on the ground to provide spectators with
Bothelin’s team and flew four seasons on a PC-7, before
the technical information relating to the figures being
switching to an L-39C. He has 9,500 flight hours to his
performed, guiding their gaze so that they miss nothing
credit. An acknowledged expert in formation aerobatics,
of the maneuvers. When the squad is traveling, he flies
he is both the Breitling Jet Team instructor and a pilot
the Metro III support aircraft used for carrying technical
capable of replacing any of the others within the team.
and logistic equipment.
Nickname: Speedy
Position: Leader
Flight hours: 11,500
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François Ponsot
Bernard Charbonnel
A Mirage F1 and Mirage 2000 fighter pilot as well as a
A fighter pilot specializing in ground attacks, “Charbo”
Mirage 2000 flight presenter at international air shows,
mainly flew on Jaguar and subsequently Mirage 2000. He
“Ponpon” has nonetheless remained passionately dedica­
shares a passion for old planes with “Ponpon”, and they
ted to vintage aviation. He devotes most of his leisure time
jointly collect certain treasures from the past. “Charbo”
to flying and restoring legendary planes like the Stampe,
has 9,000 flight hours behind him.
T6, Zlin and other warbirds. “Ponpon” has 6,700 flight
hours to his credit.
Nickname: Ponpon
Nickname: Charbo
Position: Left inside wingman
Position: Right inside wingman
Flight hours: 6,700
Flight hours: 9,000
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Patrick Marchand
Paco Wallaert
Patrick Marchand, known as “Gaston”, enjoyed a career
During his 22 years as a French Air Force fighter pilot,
as a fighter pilot on Jaguar and Alpha Jet planes. He
“Paco” flew Tucano, Jaguar and Alpha Jet aircraft. From
per­­formed flight demonstrations over a five-year period
2009 to 2011, he was part of the Patrouille de France,
as part of a pair of Jaguars, the “Raffin Mikes”. He has
subsequently serving a season as its technical coordinator.
clocked up 6,000 flight hours.
He is the Breitling Jet Team’s “right outside wingman”. He
has over 4,500 flight hours under his belt.
Nickname: Gaston
Nickname: Paco
Position: Left outside wingman
Position: Right outside wingman
Flight hours: 6,000
Flight hours: 4,500
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Christophe Deketelaere
Georges-Eric Castaing
Before joining Jacques Bothelin’s team, Christophe
Before joining the Breitling Jet Team in the “second slot”
Deketeleare, known as “Douky” was a fighter pilot on
position, “Georgio” served for 23 years in the French Air
Jaguar and Alpha Jet aircraft within the French Air Force,
Force, flying Fouga, Tucano, Alpha Jet, Mirage F1 and
where he was also an Alpha Jet instructor. He has notched
Mirage 2000 aircraft. He spent three seasons (2008-2010)
up 6,100 flight hours.
with the Patrouille de France. He has racked up 5,000
flight hours.
Nickname: Douky
Nickname: Georgio
Position: First slot
Position: Second slot
Flight hours: 6,100
Flight hours: 5,000
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The mechanics
Simply indispensable
The people without whom Breitling Jet Team pilots
could not fly, and on whom they rely with complete
confidence so as to be able to concentrate on their
own tasks. They make a rigorous, discreet and yet
very direct contribution to the success and beauty
of the show…
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A DAZZLING FINALE
To accompany the “final break”, the spectacular
figure marking the end of the shows, the Breitling
Jet Team has innovated by implementing a system
of flares – the thermal decoys generally dropped
by planes during combat to confuse heat-seeking
missiles. The result is a firework display that accen­
tuates the visual magic of the performance.
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Chronomat 44 limited edition
Chronomat 44 Breitling Jet Team American Tour.
A special edition in black steel limited to 500.
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breitling brands and models are internationally registered.
photos, illustrations and texts:
© breitling sa (franz j. venzin / daniel bühler) © alexander babic
© alain ernoult © shutterstock © katsuhiko tokunaga
© photo aeronautica militare – frecce tricolori
all rights reserved
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by any means, including photography or digitalization, without prior
permission of breitling sa.
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