In Salon-de-Provence, the Patrouille de France celebrates its 70th anniversary

With our special correspondent in Salon-de-Provence, Philippe Lecaplain

No less than 80,000 people came to Salon-de-Provence to greet those who connoisseurs call the PAF, to Acrobatic patrol of France. fanatics, spotters [des photographes avertis, NDLR]former Patrol mechanics or ex-pilots, some of whom ended their careers as Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Mostly families. Their eyes are turned towards the sky. Many children still dream of airplanes despite the criticism that aviation receives for its carbon footprint.

In the crowd, is also the 4-star general Philippe Morales who commanded the PAF in 1998. At the microphone of RFI, he remembers the technicality, the tight patrol flights, the special training.

Patrols from abroad to celebrate 70 years

The highlight of the show is undoubtedly the formation made up of an A400 M, closely followed by the Alphajets of the PAF, a Rafale, while behind them, in the background, two planes draw a giant 7 and 0.

To blow out the 70th anniversary cake candles, many acrobatic patrols made the trip: the Saudi Hawks from Saudi Arabia and which we only very rarely see in Europe displaying their green and white smoke bombs. There are also the Spaniards from ASPA, the Croatians from Wing of Storm, the Slovenians, the Greeks and the Swiss.

Whatever their nationalities, all these pilots share the same values: passion, rigor and high standards. Enough to create vocations, because the Air Force offers 4,000 positions in 50 different professions.

► To listen also: Confession of a pilot of the Patrouille de France

Thrills with the scavenger of the Acrobatic Patrouille de France

These formation flights are an experience to live and not just seen from the ground. RFI indeed had the privilege of flying with the Patrol in aircraft number four; that of the scavenger, so called because he eats the smoke of the leader who is just in front of him and who he replaces the following season. ” Eat is the term used, because the planes are close to each other – about two meters – when they are on close patrol.

On the ground, it looks like the flight is fluid, but they are constantly moving. It pitches, slides, and it takes all the dexterity of the pilots to stay in place. They act on the handle as one does on the steering wheel of a car with a slight impulse. Except when it comes to sharply clearing for a burst. In this case, the action is frank as can be seen in the film Top Gun and – because of the load factors, the Gs – you feel a lot of pressure. Thrills guaranteed.