Patrulla Ãguila (Spanish for “Eagle Patrol”), formed 4 July 1985, is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Spanish Air Force, based at San Javier Air Base where is located the academy of officers of the Spanish Air Force, near Mar Menor and La Manga, in the Murcia region of Spain. Flying 7 Casa C-101 Aviojets, they are the only team to use yellow smoke and are also known for their formation landings.
During the ’50s and ’60s Spain had various aerobatic teams which preceded the creation of the Patrulla Ãguila. These were:
Basic Air School of Matacán (Salamanca) Patrol, founded in 1954 with 6 T-6 Texan aircraft.
Jet Training Air School Patrol, Talavera la Real Air Base (Badajoz), established in 1955 with T-33 Shooting Stars planes.
Ascua Patrol Manises Air Base (Valencia) established in 1956 (officially in 1958 became the Patrulla Ascua) equipped with F-86 Sabre.
Los Llanos Air Base Patrol (Albacete) in 1980 with Mirage F-1.
The 4 June 1985, Patrulla Ãguila made its first training whose pilots were selected among the teachers of the Air Force Academy and equipped with the new built Casa C-101 Aviojet.
The patrol is composed of seven pilots (plus a chief in land and extensive support personnel) who occupy seven demarcations of different names. These are:
Leader or Eagle 1: in the standard formation of the patrol, the leader occupies the head, the other extending to the sides and behind him. The leader directs the whole the patrol in flight.
Points right and left or Eagles 2 and 3 : the points go behind and on both sides of the leader. Each has a mission to provide stability to the corresponding wing.
Dog or Eagle 4: the’ ‘dog’ ‘flies behind the leader and of the points, forming the four one diamond.
Solo or Eagle 5: the one in charge of the maneuvers that put more to the limit the characteristics of the aircraft.
Pair right and left or Eagles 6 and 7 make up the sides of the formation. They are responsible for the maneuvers that require more precision and coordination.
