Bye Bye J-055!
Words Michael van der Mee. Photography Nico van Remmerden, Remco Donselaar and Michael van der Mee. Video by Jan Loedeman.
After serving with the F-16 Solo Display Team since 2004 the well known J-055 with its silver/black livery is about to make way for the new F-16 of the team; the J-015. Not only a new F-16 but also a new paintscheme will be revealed along with it.
From the 2007 until the current 2009 season both 313 Squadron as well as 311 Squadron based at Volkel man the team. This multi unit cooperation underlines the slogan of the RNLAF; "One team, One task" even more. The display pilot of the team, Captain Ralph "Sheik" Aarts is assigned to 313 Squadron and has more then 1.300 hours of experience on the F-16. The 2009 airshow season will mark his third year with the team.
The main task of the RNLAF Solo Display Team is to attract youngsters for a career in the Air Force. This is why the team is also present at so called "vlieger infodagen" to inspire the youth. In additon to that it represents the RNLAF on various airshows around Europe.
Although the maneuvers are very impressive and look like aerial acrobatics from time to time, all aspects of the display's flight program are normal routine for the RNLAF F-16 pilots. The display shows all aspects of the F-16s possibilities and the skills F-16 pilots must train for day to day.
The display itself is of course flown in a special painted F-16. The J-055 is painted in silver, black and grey simulating a bullet flying trough the air with supersonic shockwaves behind it.
Flying on a much lower level than usual with a minimum altitude of 300 feet and even 100 feet during the high speed pass at Mach 0,95. Supported by so called "smokewinders" and flares the maneuvers are even more accentuated for the public.
In 2007 the team decided to support a good cause related to children. The team raises money in support of KiKa - Kinderen Kankervrij, which stands for Children Cancer Free. By selling various items from the webshop, images taken on airshows etcetera, the team supports this organization for research against cancer for children.
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