The “Royal Jordanian Falcons” are not entirely a military
display team, but since they represent their country, they have been
added in our military teams section. The team consists of 9 members - 5
pilots and 4 ground crew. Most of the team pilots are normally drawn
from Jordanian Air Force, but over the years, the team has also hired
and flown with civilian aerobatic pilots. The team flies with four Extra
300L aerobatic aircraft each equipped with a white smoke system. The
team also possesses a fifth Extra 300L as a spare aircraft. The team is
based at the Aqaba airport, also known as King Hussein International
Airport.
In 1992, the “Royal Jordanian Falcons” converted to five Extra-300 aircraft and, then in 2007, to the Extra-300L model. The team only four aircraft during their displays.
On 26 July 1997, during an airshow in Ostenda, Belgium, one of the team members, Capt. Omar Bilal, crashed and died while performing a solo display. Witnesses say that Bilal, at about 5 minutes into his performance, started a loop at very low level. He apparently had insufficient height to recover from the maneuver and pulled hard in a late attempt to avoid contact with the ground. The aircraft first stalled and impacted the runway at a high angle of attack. It then caught fire and skidded into a first-aid post and another stand crowded by spectators. The weather at the time was cloudy, with wind gusting to 30 kts but the visibility and ceiling were within limits for the display. The aircraft was also apparently perfectly serviceable.
Since their creation, the “Royal Jordanian Falcons” have performed in Asia, Europe, America and Far East.
Royal Jordanian Falcons History
The team was first formed in 1976, with the approval of his Majesty, the late King Hussein Bin Talal. The team began flying with two red and white painted Pitts Special-S2A aerobatic aircraft. The team later added a third plane, and, eventually a fourth and fifth aircraft in 1982.In 1992, the “Royal Jordanian Falcons” converted to five Extra-300 aircraft and, then in 2007, to the Extra-300L model. The team only four aircraft during their displays.
On 26 July 1997, during an airshow in Ostenda, Belgium, one of the team members, Capt. Omar Bilal, crashed and died while performing a solo display. Witnesses say that Bilal, at about 5 minutes into his performance, started a loop at very low level. He apparently had insufficient height to recover from the maneuver and pulled hard in a late attempt to avoid contact with the ground. The aircraft first stalled and impacted the runway at a high angle of attack. It then caught fire and skidded into a first-aid post and another stand crowded by spectators. The weather at the time was cloudy, with wind gusting to 30 kts but the visibility and ceiling were within limits for the display. The aircraft was also apparently perfectly serviceable.
Since their creation, the “Royal Jordanian Falcons” have performed in Asia, Europe, America and Far East.
Royal Jordanian Falcons 2015 Schedule
RNAS Yeovilton 11th July
Swansea 11th July
RIAT 18th-19th
Scottish National Air Show 25th-26th July
Netherlands - Texel 1st August
Denmark roskilde 14th-16th August
Poland -Radom 22nd-23rd August
Italy - Rivolto 5th-6th September.
Swansea 11th July
RIAT 18th-19th
Scottish National Air Show 25th-26th July
Netherlands - Texel 1st August
Denmark roskilde 14th-16th August
Poland -Radom 22nd-23rd August
Italy - Rivolto 5th-6th September.
Extra 300 (from 1992)
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Pitts Special-S2A (1976-92)
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