The Italian Air Force’s prestigious aerobatic team, the Frecce Tricolori, officially known as the 313° Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico, Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale (PAN) Frecce Tricolori, is nearing the end of their highly anticipated North American Tour. This tour has marked their first visit to the United States in over three decades, bringing with it a wave of excitement and awe across North America.

For over 60 years, the Frecce Tricolori have been synonymous with Italian excellence and passion, mesmerizing audiences worldwide with their breathtaking aerial acrobatics. This year, the renowned team, which boasts one of the largest formations in the world with 10 jets, embarked on a remarkable journey across North America. The tour, which began on June 22nd and 23rd, has seen the Frecce Tricolori perform alongside some of the best performers on the North American airshow circuit, including the US Air Force Thunderbirds and the Canadian Snowbirds.

The tour commenced with performances in Canada, captivating audiences in Montreal and Ottawa in celebration of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100th Anniversary, before making their way to iconic locations such as Niagara Falls, Los Angeles, the Grand Canyon, and Monument Valley. One of the highlights of the tour was their recent performance at the New York Air Show on August 10-11, 2024, where they shared the skies with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, leaving spectators in awe.

As the tour progresses, the Frecce Tricolori have a few remaining stops, including a performance in Norfolk, Virginia on August 21, followed by a flypast over Washington, D.C. on the same day. The grand finale of the tour will take place in Ocean City, Maryland, on August 24-25, 2024, where they will deliver their last display of the tour. The tour will conclude with a flypast over Newport and Boston on August 26, marking the end of their two-month journey across North America.

The Frecce Tricolori’s visit to North America has been a testament to their exceptional skills and professionalism, showcasing the values of the Italian Armed Forces to audiences far and wide. Their first display back in Europe will be at the Italian Jesolo Airshow on September 14, 2024. Following this, they will continue to perform in Italy and are expected to grace a few more European airshows outside of Italy in 2025.

The Frecce Tricolori’s aerial displays are renowned for their distinct manoeuvres and pinpoint accuracy. Piloting the Italian-crafted MB-339A/PAN jets, this team holds the Guinness World Record for the largest number of jet aircraft in a military aerobatic team. A hallmark of their performances is conducting the entire routine within the audience’s view, with all separations, transformations, and reunions occurring right in front of spectators. Notably, they can split into two formations, perform a thrilling opposition pass, and seamlessly rejoin in under two minutes.

Another standout manoeuvre the team is known for is the Downward Bomb Burst in this impressive manoeuvre, the nine-aircraft formation performs a dramatic dive toward the ground before splitting and each aircraft skillfully veering off in various directions. Following the break the team returns to the show centre for a 9-ship opposition pass at three strategically chosen different altitudes.

The team’s solo pilot entertains the crowds as the main formation repositions and some of the signature manoeuvres of the solo pilot include the Lomcovak and the tail slide, typically the domain of propeller-driven aerobatics planes rather than jets. The term Lomcovak was coined by the mechanic of Czechoslovak aerobatic pilot Ladislav Bezak during the 1958 Brno air show. When asked to describe Bezak’s tumbling manoeuvres, he humorously referred to them as Lomcovaks, which he explained means “headache.” This manoeuvre involves a “standing roll” followed by a vertical spin, a reverse, and then a pitch down. Another manoeuvre the tail slide begins with a vertical climb until the aircraft stalls. As the speed hits zero and the climb halts, the pilot holds the aircraft in a stationary position for as long as possible. When it starts to fall backwards into it’s own smoke, tail-first, the nose eventually drops through the horizon into a vertical dive.

As the Frecce Tricolori’s North American Tour 2024 draws to a close, their performances have left an indelible mark on audiences, showcasing the artistry and precision of Italian aviation. The tour has not only strengthened the bond between Italy and North America but has also inspired countless individuals with the beauty and thrill of aerobatic flight.