PATROUILLE SUISSE TO DISPLAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MALTA
The organizers of the Malta International Airshow have announced that the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse will perform at the event, this will be the first time the team has ever displayed in Malta.
In a statement released on Wednesday, April 12, the organizers of the Malta International Airshow have officially confirmed that the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse will perform at the show. The team, which flies six Northrop F-5E Tiger II, will perform on both days of the airshow showing the Swiss precision to the Maltese public.
This will be the first time ever the Patrouille Suisse have displayed in Malta and it will be the last opportunity to see the team outside of Switzerland this season.
Patrouille Suisse at Airpower Zeltweg 2022
Malta International Airshow
The Malta International Airshow is an annual air show held at the Malta International Airport and organized by the Malta Aviation Society. It was first held in September 1993 over Marsamxett Harbour but then moved to Malta International Airport. Since 1993 the airshow was held at different locations around the island from St. Paul's Bay to the Malta International Airport and Smart City. These days Malta International Air Show is one of Malta's most significant outdoor events and has gained a well-earned reputation as one of Malta's top outdoor family events.
This year’s edition of the Malta International Airshow will take place at two locations with the flying display at St. Paul's Bay and the static display at the Malta International Airport.
For more information about the airshow visit the Malta International Airshow Official Website and follow the Malta International Airshow on Facebook.
Patrouille Suisse
The Patrouille Suisse is an aerobatic demonstration team of the Swiss Air Force based at the Emmen Air Base. The team consists of six Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter/bomber jets painted in the national colours -white and red- as well as six demonstration pilots, a spare pilot, two commentators and no less than 35 technicians. The task of the team, founded in 1964, is to demonstrate the efficiency, precision and readiness of the Swiss Air Force at home and abroad and their display typically lasts approximately 18 minutes. The selection process for the new pilots is very strict with the candidates expected to have perfect flying records. The pilots of the Patrouille Suisse are considered the best military pilots in the Swiss Air Force and have different military backgrounds from F/A-18s to PC-21s.
The Emmen military airfield has served the Patrouille Suisse as home since 1994. With a new deployment concept of the Air Force, the team wanted to be relocated to the Payerne military airfield for the 2008 season, which was not carried out. Originally and until 1994, the Patrouille Suisse had its home base at the Dübendorf military airfield.
At large air shows such as RIAT or Air14, Patrouille Suisse sometimes performs a joint flypast with the PC-7 team, the Hornet Solo Display Team or the Super Puma Display Team at the opening of the flight demonstration. On September 7th 2014 at Air14 in Payerne, the Patrouille Suisse performed a full aerobatic display together with the PC-7 Team.
Patrouille Suisse at Airpower Zeltweg 2022
The Official Statement
Statement from the organizers of the Malta International Airshow;
“We are thrilled to announce that Patrouille Suisse, the Swiss Air Force's aerobatic display team, will join us for the first time at the Malta International Airshow 2023. Their stunning display of precision flying and aerobatic manoeuvres will leave audiences in awe.
Founded in 1964, the team consists of six Northrop F-5E Tiger II fighter jets that perform a variety of precision flying manoeuvres, including loops, rolls, and formation flying. The pilots of Patrouille Suisse are highly skilled and trained professionals who have undergone rigorous training to perform these aerial displays with extreme precision and safety. Their performances are renowned for their stunning visual effects, dynamic flying, and exceptional showmanship.
We are honoured to host the Patrouille Suisse, and we can't wait to welcome them to Malta and witness their fantastic performance. Stay tuned for more updates on the Malta International Airshow 2023.”
