RIAT 2024: SoloTurk and a pair of Turkish F-4 Phantoms among the latest confirmations

The latest update from Air Tatto has revealed a diverse range of aircraft that will be on display, both in the air and on the ground. One of the highlights of the event will be the Turkish Air Force's SoloTurk F-16 Solo Display Team, which will showcase their impressive skills and precision flying during the flying display. Visitors can expect to be captivated by their stunning aerial manoeuvres.

In addition to the flying display, a pair of McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II aircraft from the 111th Squadron "Panther" at Eskisehir Air Base will be on static display. This is a unique opportunity for visitors to see this iconic aircraft up close and learn more about its history and capabilities. It's worth noting that this is the last operational F-4E Phantom II unit in the Turkish Air Force, and it operates the upgraded F-4E 2020T Terminator.

Turkish Phantom at NATO Days 2022

Draken Europe will also be joining the static aircraft displays, providing a chance for visitors to see their Aero L-159E Honey Badger and Dassault Falcon 20 aircraft. The L-159 provides aggressor training for the RAF, replacing the Hawks of 100 Squadron. Visitors can learn more about the aircraft and its role in training pilots and aircrew. The Falcon 20 provides electronic warfare adversary training to UK and NATO forces, giving visitors a unique opportunity to see how these exercises are conducted and the challenges faced by pilots and aircrew in electronic warfare scenarios.

Finally, the Belgian Air Component will provide a single General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon to the static display. The aircraft will be provided by the 10th Tactical Wing located at Kleine-Brogel Air Base. Visitors can learn more about this aircraft and its capabilities, as well as the role it plays in the Belgian Air Force. This will be a great opportunity for visitors to see the F-16AM up close, learn about its features, and understand how it contributes to the Belgian Air Force's mission.

If you're interested in attending the event, you can visit airtatto.com to learn more about it and purchase your tickets.

SoloTurk at Malta International Airshow 2023

SoloTurk

SOLOTÜRK is a single-aircraft aerobatic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Force, which consists of two highly skilled and experienced pilots and a specially painted F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The team was initially planned in November 2009 with a rigorous pilot training process that was successfully completed in August 2010, with three pilots initially selected.

The team performed its first demonstration flight within the military in September 2010 and made its first public appearance on April 15, 2011. Since then, SoloTürk has participated in many national and international airshows, impressing audiences with its unique and breathtaking manoeuvres that are specially designed for the team. The team's performances are a testament to the skills, precision, and dedication of the Turkish Air Force pilots, who are among the best in the world.

What sets this team apart from others is the unique set of manoeuvres that they perform, such as the dolphin pass and the Soloturk roll. The dolphin pass is a jaw-dropping manoeuvre that demonstrates the exceptional nose authority of the aircraft's sophisticated fly-by-wire system. During this manoeuvre, the aircraft is flown at low altitude and speed, and the pilot pulls the aircraft up and down along the crowd line, mimicking the movements of a dolphin in the water.

The Soloturk roll is another impressive manoeuvre that showcases the aircraft's agility and handling characteristics. This manoeuvre involves a series of fast barrel rolls flown at high angles of attack, where the aircraft is flown at a very steep angle to create a rolling motion. The pilot then expertly controls the aircraft's roll rate, speed, and altitude to create a mesmerizing display of precision and control.

The Soloturk display has 2 display pilots; this year, the pilots are Major Murat Bakici and Major Yasin Dikkule. The team use a specially painted Block 40 F-16C from 132 Filo (Squadron) stationed at the 3rd Main Jet Base in Konya. The aircraft is painted in a striking gloss black with golden highlights and features a crescent and star, symbolizing the loyalty and value attributed by the Turkish Air Force to the Turkish nation and flag. The brilliant eagle represents the determination and freedom innate in aviators’ souls, while the black and grey diagonal lines reaching the nose of the aircraft describe the characteristics of aviation, such as fast thinking/acting, constant progress, and limitless ambition. Finally, the silver star indicates Turkey's ambition to be the star of the 21st century.

Turkish Phantom at NATO Days 2022

Turkish F-4E 2020T Terminator

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is an American supersonic fighter-bomber aircraft that was developed in the late 1950s. It was designed to be an all-weather interceptor for the US Navy, capable of carrying out long-range attacks in any weather conditions. The Phantom II is renowned for its role in the Vietnam War, where it was used extensively by the US military. Since then, the aircraft has been operated by 11 other countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.

The Phantom II is a high-performance aircraft that is capable of flying at speeds of up to Mach 2.2, or twice the speed of sound. It can also carry more than 18,000 pounds of weapons, including air-to-air missiles, bombs, and rockets. The aircraft was originally known as the F4H-1, but the name Phantom II was eventually chosen instead of the proposed names Satan and Mithras.

In Turkey, the F-4 Phantom II has played a significant role in the country's air force since the delivery of the first 40 aircraft in 1974. Over the years, Turkey has operated up to 233 Phantoms, including both the F-4E and specialist RF-4E Reconnaissance versions. The RF-4E version was retired in 2015, but many of the F-4E Phantoms have been upgraded via the Terminator 2020 program.

The Terminator 2020 program is an upgrade that builds on previous upgrades to enable the aircraft to carry the Aim-120 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. The upgrade included fully digital modern avionics, a reduction in weight, and the ability to carry a variety of guided air-to-ground weapons while still retaining or enhancing their air-to-air capabilities. As a result, the upgraded F-4E Phantoms are more versatile and capable of carrying out a wider range of missions.

The final operational F-4E Phantom II unit in the Turkish Air Force is 111 Filo. This unit is based at Eskisehir Air Base and plays a vital role in Turkey's air defense and security. The F-4E Phantom II has been an essential part of Turkey's air force for more than four decades and remains an important asset in the country's military arsenal.

Draken Europe L-159E (Draken Copyright)

Draken L-159E Honey Badger

The L-159A Advanced Light Combat Aircraft (ALCA) is a subsonic combat aircraft with a single engine designed by Aero Vodochody in the Czech Republic as a low-cost domestic fighter. It was first flown in 1997 and was developed to replace several Soviet-era types used by the Czech Air Force, including the MiG-23BN, Su-22, and Su-25.

The L-159B is a two-seater trainer variant of the aircraft, which later evolved into the L-159T1 for Iraq. Unfortunately, the L-159 has not been a successful export, with only Iraq and the Czech Republic placing orders for the aircraft.

However, several L-159s that were retired or in storage with the Czech Air Force have been sold to private military contractors. These contractors provide aggressor air services and use the L-159E variant of the aircraft. Draken International is one of the contractors that use a fleet of L-159Es based at Teesside airport to provide aggressor air services to the RAF. Draken International refers to the L-159E as the "Honey Badger."

In early 2022, Draken International won a six-year contract to provide aggressor training for the Royal Air Force, replacing the Hawks of 100 Squadron. To provide this service, several L-159Es were ferried to the UK. Thanks to its modern radar and radar warning system, the L-159E provides a more advanced threat than the Hawk.

Draken Falcon 20 at RIAT 2023

Draken Dassault Falcon 20

The Dassault Falcon 20 is a twin-engine aircraft that was first developed as a business jet in the 1960s. It has since spawned an entire family of business jets with the same name, including the Envoy IV, which is a Falcon 900X used as an RAF VIP jet. With over 500 Falcon 20s built, this aircraft has achieved significant military success as a VIP transport or an electronic warfare platform.

In 2012, one Falcon 20 made history as the first aircraft in the world to fly on 100% biofuel, marking a significant milestone in the aviation industry's quest for more sustainable fuel options. As a result of its versatility and reliability, the Falcon 20 is a common sight at UK military airfields, where it has been used for over 30 years to provide electronic warfare adversary training to UK and NATO forces.

Previously operated by Cobham, the Falcon 20 is now operated by Draken International, providing adversary air, EW training, and target banner towing for gunnery training at Bournemouth and Teesside. The aircraft carries underwing pods, the internals of which are classified, enabling the aircraft to simulate any enemy threat or specifically interfere with an allied radar system.

Today, the Falcon 20 remains a popular aircraft in both business and military aviation, proving to be a reliable and versatile platform for a wide range of applications.

Belgian F-16 at RIAT 2023

Belgian F-16AM Fighting Falcon

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a highly versatile and widely used combat aircraft in NATO. Originally developed as a day fighter for the USAF, it has evolved into a highly capable multi-role combat aircraft. Despite making its first flight in 1974, it is still in production and has become the backbone of many air forces around the world. With over 4,500 F-16s produced in the past 49 years, it is currently the most numerous combat aircraft in NATO. Currently, it is still in service with 25 nations around the world, with more than 3,000 of them still operational.

The latest version of the F-16, the Block 70/72, comes with advanced upgrades such as a new cockpit, computers, and an advanced AESA radar similar to the one installed in the F-35. The Block 70/72 also features a highly advanced weapons system that provides precision-guided munitions, along with a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles that can be used in any weather condition.

Belgium has been one of the major users of the F-16, with initially ordering 160 F-16As, which were licence-built by SABCA. Today, the Belgian Air Force has updated the fleet to the F-16AM MLU specification, which includes the Link 16 datalink, Helmet Sight, Targeting Pods, new computers, and the ability to use the Aim-9X Sidewinder, providing full multi-role capability. However, the Belgian Air Force will begin to retire their remaining F-16s during 2023, as the F-35A arrives at Florennes Air Base in 2025. Belgium has ordered 34 F-35As to replace the F-16.

Although the popular Belgian Air Force F-16 solo display has ended due to the aircraft's retirement, the Belgian Air Force will be sending a single F-16 to participate in the 50th anniversary of the F-16. The aircraft will be provided by the 10th Tactical Wing located at Kleine-Brogel Air Base.