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is the French Airforce’s second demonstration squadron. The French Air aerobatics demonstration unit (E.V.A.A.) showcases the airforce’s expertise and displays the high standards it has achieved in air aerobatics both at home and abroad. The high-flying squadron has 6 pilots, 6 engineers, 6 operation agents and a photographer and takes part in countless competitions.
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I’ve been following the aerobatics demonstration unit and it’s a real joy watching the fantastic Patrouille in action today. A huge thank you to these knights of the sky who give us such a treat during their amazing displays.
Aside from the sense team spirit, self-sacrifice, endurance, performance, respect and humility embodied by these two Air Force ambassadors and shared with their patron and public, the two squadrons also epitomise the values of solidarity which the Air Force holds dear.
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1960s
The A.L.A.T (French Army Light Aviation) built its own aerobatics team to take part in individual and team competitions between 1962 and 1964. The Air Force’s absence was very much felt in the aerobatics world.
In 1967, General Maurin Chef of the Air Force decided to rectify the situation and founded the French Air aerobatics demonstration unit (E.V.A.A). The new unit’s mission was to represent France and the Air Force and air displays and international competitions.
The French Air aerobatics demonstration unit was officially established at Salon-de-Provence airbase on March 1st 1968. It joined the Patrouille de France to form the Air Force’s air display teams (E.P.A.A).
70s and 80s
The aircrafts were replaced by the more modern Cap 10 and Cap 20 in the 70s. The Cap 10 is a 540kg two-seat aircraft with a 180 hp Lycoming fuel injected engine. The aircraft was used for training and demonstration whilst the Cap 20 single-seater with a 260 hp engine was for competition. These two planes helped the French Air aerobatics demonstration unit achieve success for almost 20 years.
The Air Force asked the Mudry company to design a plane to meet the demands of modern competitions in 1984. The Cap 230 then the Cap 231 came after. The French Air aerobatics demonstration unit had the best of the best in 2001 (Cap 231 n°02, world champion in 1990 and the Cap 231 n°21)
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The French Air aerobatics demonstration unit got its first Cap 232 in September 1999 (le n°18) followed by a second in December (n°22). The aircraft had been in the making since 1995, its carbon fibre wing gave an amazing roll rate and saw the French Air aerobatics demonstration unit return to international competition standards…
Captain Delorme’s fatal accident in August 2005 saw the end of flights in the Cap 232. The team’s pilots tested and assessed countless planes (Sukhoï 26, 29 & 31, Cap 222, Extra 300, Extreme 3000, etc.).
Two new aircrafts joined the French Air aerobatics demonstration unit in September 2008: Extra 330 SC and LC.
The aerobatics team has never fallen short of the Air Force’s goals over all this time. The talent and readiness of its engineers paired with the focus and tenacity of its pilots have seen the unit forge a reputation in aerobatics contests and win a whole host of awards.
