The Patrouille de France X Dimatex

The Patrouille de France or Official Aerobatic Patrol of the French Air Force was created in 1953 and is considered one of the best aerobatic formations in the world. Composed of nine pilots and 35 mechanics, its year is divided into two distinct periods: the winter season, intended for training, and the summer season where it performs nearly 50 times a year during air shows. Traditionally, the French Aerobatic Patrol (otherwise called PAF) opens the July 14 parade aboard nine of its Alpha Jets. Its facilities, located in Salon de Provence for its good weather conditions, allow an optimal number of training sessions between October and March.

We will detail more precisely the different units, the functions and missions of the mechanics and pilots, the aircraft and finally the collaboration between Dimatex and the Patrouille de France.

Summary:

• The different units
• The mechanics
• The pilots
• The aircraft
• The Dimatex / Patrouille de France partnership

Within the Patrouille de France are several units that ensure its proper functioning.

The direction serves to coordinate all the actions incumbent on this unit so that pilots and mechanics are equipped with all the necessary means for the proper completion of their missions.

A logistics unit, supported by the operations unit which prepares flight plans, organizes movements and summer outings for the various meetings. 

The photo and video unit records all formation flights while taking aerial photographs. The latter works in close collaboration with the communication unit which promotes the images and the various movements.

Finally, the administration unit ensures the administrative follow-up of each staff member.

The mechanics of the Patrouille de France have different missions and are therefore divided into several groups.

The technical service ensures year-round availability as well as maintenance of the 12 Alpha Jets made available by the Air Force.

The technical office organizes tracking of all spare parts in order to plan maintenance.

Each member of the ground crew, composed of nine mechanics (or ground crew members), chooses a pilot with whom he will form a duo throughout the year. Note that the aircraft is considered to belong to the mechanic who lends it to the pilot. This is why both names appear on the Alpha Jet.

A final unit is entirely dedicated to troubleshooting and ensures repairs that require significant resources, or even immobilization. It includes four different divisions: vector mechanics, avionics mechanics, servicing mechanics and armament mechanics.

Each year, three new pilots join the team. They are appointed by the PAF pilots in place from among the volunteer Air Force fighter pilots. Each must hold the patrol leader qualification and have a minimum of 1,500 flight hours on a jet aircraft.

Pilots generally stay three to five years within the Patrouille de France. These sky virtuosos become one during their training and fly less than three meters from each other. The flight techniques are quite different from those they may have learned before. During their demonstrations, they perform different loops and figures at only 90 meters from the ground at more than 1,050 km/h at maximum speed.

Here is a more precise detail of the different roles of the pilots as well as their functions:

- Athos 1, also called the leader, occupies his position for one year. He is the only pilot who cannot be replaced within the patrol. He is considered the conductor of the patrol and will determine the figures as well as the formations with his team. His position is irreplaceable because during the many training sessions, his teammates rely on his voice and his anticipations.

- Athos 2 and Athos 3, more commonly called the interiors, have just joined the Patrouille de France. During their first year, they will fly in the second line next to the leader during meetings and flight training.

- Athos 4, called the scavenger, is positioned just behind Athos 1. Like Athos 2 and 3, he has also just joined the PAF. This scavenger name is given to him because he receives all the smoke from the leader and will take his place the following year. Thanks to his position, he will observe the leader in order to analyze his behavior to quickly reach a very high level with the aim of succeeding him.

- Athos 5 is the solo leader and Athos 6 the second solo. The two positions they occupy allow them to easily leave the formation in order to perform figures in pairs during the second part of the presentation. Generally, Athos 6 will succeed Athos 5 who will take the replacement position.

- Athos 7 and Athos 8 whom we call the exteriors, are the farthest from the leader. Their positions in the formation require a lot of anticipation in order to maintain the shape of the aerial fort.

- Athos 9 is the replacement, he is the most senior pilot of the Patrol. He occupied the position of "interior", "solo leader" and "second solo" in previous years. Athos 9 must be able to replace any patrol member, except the leader.

Here is a quick explanation of the rotation of different positions from one year to another:

We can see that three newcomers join the formation in the positions of Athos 2, 3 and 4. Furthermore, some of them will no longer evolve within the formation the following year like Athos 1, 7 and 9.

Athos 1 and 4 are career officers. They therefore have a vocation to occupy command positions in squadrons and/or staff in the second part of their careers. Athos 7 and 9 are contract officers. They will return to operational units at the end of this experience.

The Patrouille de France has 12 Alpha Jets at its disposal, nicknamed "Gadget" since 1981. These small aircraft are nicknamed this way because they are the models on which the pilots began their careers.

The Alpha Jet is a two-seat training and ground attack aircraft that made its first flight on October 26, 1973. It has a wingspan of 9.16 meters for a length of 11.85 meters and a height of 4.19 meters. Its empty weight is 3,345 kg and has a maximum ceiling of 15,000 meters.

The Alpha Jets have been somewhat modified for the needs of the PAF. Blue, white and red paint has been applied to represent the French colors. A smoke pod has been placed under the central point of the aircraft and piping now connects it at the level of the left rear engine for smoke output. In addition, the sight has been removed to offer better visibility, as it is useless on this type of flight.

The Dimatex brand and the Patrouille de France have partnered to create equipment in perfect alignment with the needs of the PAF. These bags and pouches, which you can already find on Vetsecurite.com, have been designed with professionals to meet the most specific needs of pilots. 

The Matt backpack, emblematic model of the Dimatex brand is available in Patrouille de France colors in its classic intervention format as well as in Matt mini model. You can find on our Youtube channel an explanatory video dedicated to this bag.

Next comes the Braco backpack which is a model intended for adventurers by its helitreuillable functionality. This bag will be your best friend in extreme situations.

This collaboration also includes the Master 15 briefcase which will allow you to store a 15'' computer or A4-type documents. You can also combine a Black-line colored transport strap or Full black for more comfortable carrying. 

Of course, the Cavok pouch is part of this exclusive collection. This thigh pouch, essential to all pilots, is customized in Patrouille de France colors and will allow you to always have with you flight instructions or a navigation chart. The Cavok pouch is also available in mini model.

This association between Dimatex and the Patrouille de France also includes the Furtif flight bag absolutely essential to all pilots and which will allow you to transport your helmet and store the various items that are useful to you for each of your flights. 

And finally, the JFK kit bag, which, like all transport bags from the Dimatex brand, can be combined with a Matt bag, thanks to its numerous Duraflex buckles.

Good Flight!

Photo credit: Patrouille de France 

See the entire Patrouille de France range!