Piloting Skill - Breitling Jet Team

BREITLING JET TEAM
www.breitling-jet-team.com
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
Outstanding feats are the rule
Meet the world’s elite professional civilian jet aerobatics team
Precision. Speed. Audacity. Aerobatics is one of the world’s most
demanding disciplines and one of the most fascinating sights to watch
from the ground. A concentrated blend of technical ability, mastery
and finesse, the Breitling Jet Team is the elite in its field. Breitling
recognizes excellence in aviation and this unique aerobatic team
actively promotes the wonder of flight to the public. Working closely
together to reinforce the core values of the company, the Breitling Jet
Team has carried out the mission with verve, performing for awestruck
audiences across the globe for over a decade.
Sometimes flying to within just three meters of each other, the skill
and trust to operate the L-39C Albatros jets in such tight formation is
created over the numerous years of operating together. With very few
changes to the team over ten years, the pilots do not think, operate
or react as individuals, but as one cohesive unit naturally ensuring the
safety of the team is their number one priority.
The team performs internationally each year at a host of VIP
engagements, sporting events and airshows. To maintain their high
standard at every show, the team operates full-time during the year.
Each appearance of the Breitling Jet Team is a breathtaking vision
as the aircraft gracefully weave through the sky at speeds of up to
750kph. A seamlessly coordinated ballet, the entire display leaves you
spellbound as the pilots work in total synchronicity filling the sky with
rolls, loops and gravity-defying moves. The rapid-fire succession of
aerobatic figures are perfectly mastered and coordinated down to the
smallest detail... just like a Breitling Chronometer.
The display ends with a dazzling pyrotechnic finale, using a system of
thermal flares to light the sky.
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
Leading the team to success
“There are two key words
in display flying – quality
and safety. A polished
performance is the result
of the two together,”
Jacques Bothelin (Speedy).
“Our aerial display is an
artistic expression. We
give the public an emotive
25-minute performance
with elegant maneuvers,
smoke, music and the
commentary.”
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
Piloting Skill
NAME: Bernard Charbonnel [Charbo]
Flight Hours: 8,700
CV: Fighter pilot – display pilot
QUESTION: What is the biggest
challenge for you?
ANSWER: “The challenge is
permanent in a pilot’s career. We must
show humility, rigour, to question
permanently to always be on top and
try to excel.”
NAME: Christophe Deketelaere
[Douky]
Flight Hours: 5900
CV: Fighter pilot – display pilot
QUESTION: What is the biggest
challenge for you?
ANSWER: “Performing the perfect
show with exact equal distance
between 7 planes even with the wind,
clouds etc... a challenge is what pilots
like!”
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
Piloting Skill
NAME: François Ponsot [Ponpon]
NAME: Paco WALLAERT [Paco]
Flight Hours: 6700
Flight Hours: 4400
CV: Fighter pilot – display pilot
CV: Fighter pilot – display pilot
QUESTION: What is your main role in
the team?
ANSWER: “I am left inboardwingman
and solo leader. On the ground I’m
in charge of operations, flight safety
equipment and passenger flights.”
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
Piloting Skill
NAME: Georges-­‐Eric CASTAING
(Georgio)
Flight Hours: 4400
CV: Fighter pilot – display pilot
NAME: Patrick Marchand [Gaston]
FLIGHT HOURS: 5500
CV: Fighter pilot – display pilot
QUESTION: What’s the most exciting
part of the job?
ANSWER:“Flying to displays and
ferrying to new countries, being an
ambassador for Breitling and being
respected among the great national
teams.”
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
A demanding display season
around the world
Continuous improvement to achieve a seamless display
Each Breitling Jet Team pilot is carefully selected and remains with the
team for many years, unlike military or national teams which have to
rotate their pilots every year. They also benefit from a short off-season
as they display around the world throughout the year and are not
restricted by the European calendar. These factors make pre-season
training relatively straightforward.
Precision is almost an obsession within the team, with each display
filmed and reviewed as part of a detailed debrief where each pilot can
assess their own and the team’s performance. Even though they are
among the most experienced display pilots in the world, they don’t
take their skills for granted and always listen to advice. Collectively
they strive for the ultimate perfection; a seamless display.
As the pilots are often subjected to up to 8g whilst in the cockpit
and up to speeds of 750kph the team engages in specific physical
preparation on the ground in order to maintain G tolerance. To
withstand the grueling stresses and strains of this demanding
environment, the pilots need to be in good physical shape. The sudden
acceleration felt in the dramatic maneuvers, coupled with the intensity
of the G forces means the pilots must be able to respond quickly and
accurately in the air to ensure safety.
This particular demand on the body is tough for even the fittest pilots
and the whole team understands the need to remain on top form
both physically and mentally at all times. Emotional stability is another
prerequisite for the team members – who all rely on each other when
on the ground and in the air.
While the life of a display pilot in the Breitling Jet Team can be both
physically and mentally demanding, the pilots take great pleasure in
every opportunity to fly and to showcase their unique performance to
new audiences around the world.
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
Precision. Speed. Audacity.
G force
Building significant G tolerance is an important
part of all aerobatic flight training. To ensure that
G-LOC (loss of consciousness ) does not occur,
the pilots use their muscles to prevent blood from
draining from the head when the pressure of
gravity is pulling it down to the pilots’ feet. This is
made easier with G-suits which are worn by the
pilots to keep the blood circulating.
Safety
To ensure that safety is always a high priority, the
pilots also have the back-up of an ejector seat
fitted to the jets for use in an emergency. The
purpose of this safety device is to effectively propel
the pilot from the cockpit with enough force (20G)
so they will not hit the aircraft as they exit.
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
The beast behind the beauty
L-39 C Albatros
The Breitling Jet Team flies seven L-39C Albatros military training
aircraft. The Czech-built airplane has two seats and can be used
for instructive and passenger flights. This magnificent aircraft is an
excellent blend of performance, aesthetics and reliability. To accentuate
their powerful, taut and dynamic appearance, they have been painted
in a suitably refined livery also in keeping with the core values of the
watchmaking brand. The iconic Breitling yellow, bold black, anthracite
gray and metal scheme reflects the spectacular feats performed by the
planes and was designed for optimum visibility for spectators. Looking
almost like missiles from the ground, the visual effect is stunning.
MAX SPEED IN LEVEL FLIGHT:
750 KM/H
MASS WHEN PERFORMING:
MAX SPEED IN A DIVE:
910 KM/H
MAX G FORCE:
4,000 KG
+8 G / – 4 G
CEILING:
11000 M
LENGTH:
12 M
THRUST:
1800 KG
WINGSPAN:
9.5 M
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
The aerial
formations
The aerial formations
A visual masterpiece with seven aircraft in harmony
A visual masterpiece with seven aircraft in harmony
Calysto
Rocket
Chronomat
B1
Blackbird
Avenger
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
The aerobatic
sequences The aerobatic sequences
Synchro pair
percussion
360° Black Bird
Loop + turn in
Arrowhead formation
¼ clover
Apache roll
Ocean
Masterwave
Barrel roll
Loop
Vertical split
Opposite barrel roll
Final break
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
The Mechanics
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...
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
The Support
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 aircraft,
“Sheriff” became part of the Patrouille
de France, where he stayed for five
years. In 1998, he joined Jacques
Bothelin’s team and flew four seasons
on a PC-7, before switching to an
L-39C. He has 9,000 flight hours to
his credit. An acknowledged expert
in formation aerobatics, he is both
the Breitling Jet Team instructor and a
pilot capable of replacing any of the
others within the team.
Luc Herbinière is a pilot and instructor
who serves as both the presenter for
the team and as the captain of the
support aircraft. During the shows, he
is on the ground to provide spectators
with the technical information relating
to the figures being performed,
guiding their gaze so that they miss
nothing of the maneuvers. When the
squad is traveling, he flies the Metro
III support aircraft used for carrying
technical and logistic equipment.
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]
The Support
METROLINER
The Breitling Jet Team is accompanied by a support aircraft, a Fairchild Metro III, chosen for its load-bearing capacity, its performance and its adaptability.
FRANCE: Luc Herbiniere
+33 7 89 21 49 05
[email protected]
UK: Rebecca Allen
+44 7727 20797
[email protected]