The Victors Formation Team
The Victors is a renowned formation flying team known for their captivating displays on four Piper Warrior III/Cadet light Civil utility aircraft. The team has a rich history, originating in 2004 when three skilled pilots came together for a formation flypast after a navigation flight. Their talents shone brightly in 2006 at the Belgian Air Force airshow in Koksijde, marking a significant milestone for the team. Over the years, the Victors expanded their roster, welcoming more pilots onboard and even dazzling audiences as a five-ship formation on occasion. Presently, the team comprises six pilots, including four display pilots and two spares, along with a commentator, a devoted support team, and four aircraft. In addition to their exhilarating airshow performances, the Victors participate in various remembrance flights, gracefully executing poignant tributes like the missing man formation.
Piper PA-28-161 Warrior III (Lead & Slot)
Piper PA-28-161 Warrior III is a four-seat, fixed landing gear aircraft of the Piper PA-28 Cherokee family first certified on the 1st of July 1994. It is powered by a single Lycoming O-320-D3G engine of 160 hp (119 kW) and has a gross weight of 2,440 lb (1,107 kg).
The Piper PA-28 Cherokee is a family of two-seat or four-seat light aircraft built by Piper Aircraft and designed for flight training, air taxi and personal use. The PA-28 family of aircraft comprises all-metal, unpressurized, single-engined, piston-powered airplanes with low-mounted wings and tricycle landing gear. They have a single door on the right side, which is entered by stepping on the wing.
The first PA-28 received its type certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in 1960 and the series remains in production to this day. Current models are the Warrior, Arrow, and Archer TX and LX, and the Pilot 100 and i100. The Archer was discontinued in 2009, but with investment from new company ownership, the model was put back into production in 2010.
The PA-28 series competes with the high-winged Cessna 172 and the similarly low-winged Grumman American AA-5 series and Beechcraft Musketeer designs.
Piper has created variations within the Cherokee family by installing engines ranging from 140 to 300 hp (105–220 kW), offering turbocharging, retractable landing gear, constant-speed propellers and stretching the fuselage to accommodate six people. The Piper PA-32 (initially known as "Cherokee Six") is a larger, six-seat variant of the PA-28. The PA-32R Saratoga variant was in production until 2009.
Piper PA-28-161 Cadet (Left Wing & Right Wing)
Piper PA-28-161 Cadet is a two-seat, fixed landing gear aircraft from the Piper PA-28 Cherokee family. It is powered by a single Lycoming O-320-D2A engine of 160 hp (119 kW) and has a gross weight of 2,325 lb (1,055 kg). The Piper Cadet replaced the PA-38 Tomahawk trainer in the late 1980s.