French Air Force acrobatics team join Red Arrows over London
The Patrouille de France join RAF to mark 80th anniversary of General de Gaulle's famous wartime call to arms
The Patrouille de France are to join the RAF's own aerobatic team the Red Arrows on Thursday in a flypast over London to mark the 80th anniversary of General De Gaulle’s famous World War Two radio broadcast to France saying the fight against Nazi Germany would continue.
It is ranked as one of the best aerobatic display teams in the world.
Pilots are all drawn from French air force fighter squadrons, and are selected during a rigorous procedure, led by current and past pilots of the unit, with three pilots selected each year, to serve on the nine pilot unit for three years.
They have had to have flown as patrol leaders, and to have at least 1,500 hours flying jet aircraft before applying to the unit.
Most are in their mid 30s, and their posting to the Patrouille de France is often their last operational fast-jet posting, as few pilots continue flying fighters into their late 30s.
Being a member of the unit often leads to pilots being selected for quick promotion in their future air-force careers.
The team flies French-German Alpha training jets, and has 35 mechanics attached to it to maintain the 12 aircraft of the unit.
Based in Salon de Provence the unit divides its time between winter training, with a new show worked out for every year, and a summer of performing.
As well as set piece demonstrations, such as the 14th July flyover of Paris, organisers of events through out France can book the Patrouille de France.
Its most famous calling card is a manoeuvre which traces a red white and blue heart with a cupid’s arrow through it, in the sky.
Read more: President Macron to visit London in memory of wartime ‘call’
