Alap-Alap Formation
{{Short description|Aerobatic display team of Brunei Darussalam}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name = Alap-Alap Formation
{{Nobold|(Kestrel Formation)}}
|native_name =
|image =
|image_size =
|alt =
|caption = The Alap-Alap Display team in formation Pilatus PC-7
|dates = 2011 to present
|country = {{Flagicon|Brunei}} Brunei Darussalam
|allegiance = Sultan of Brunei
|branch = {{Air force|Brunei}}
{{Lang|ms|Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei}}
|role = Aerobatic display team
|size = 3 aircraft, 3 pilots
|command_structure=
|garrison_label=
|garrison = Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba
|nickname =
|patron =
|motto =
|colours_label = Aircraft livery
|colours = White, blue, red, yellow
{{Color box|#FFFFFF}}{{Color box|#0000FF}}{{Color box|#FF0000}}{{Color box|#FFFF00}}
|equipment_label= Aircraft displayed
|equipment = 3x Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II
|current_commander=
}}
File:Sultan of Brunei visits BRIDEX 2013 Static Display (131203-F-HL283-242).webp static display, including one of the Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II (TUDB-304) as used by the Alap-Alap Formation.|alt=]]
The Alap-Alap Formation (Kestrel Formation) is the official aerobatic display team of Brunei Darussalam, operated by the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF; {{Langx|ms|Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei}} – TUDB). The Alap-Alap Formation display team was formed on {{Start date and age|2011|02|07|df=y}}.{{Cite web|url=https://aerobaticteams.net/en/teams/i22/Alap-Alap-Formation.html|title=Alap-Alap Formation|website=AerobaticTeams.net|publisher=Aerobatic Display Teams|date=n.d.|access-date=10 December 2023}}{{Cite web|author=SchwarzeMitternacht|date=20 March 2014|url=https://kupitok.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/bridex-2013-static-aircraft-display-royal-brunei-air-force-aircraft/|title=BRIDEX 2013 static aircraft display: Royal Brunei Air Force aircraft|website=Kupitok.Wordpress.com|location=Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba, Brunei Darussalam|publisher=Parut Kami Bulat... Ngapa Kian?|access-date=10 December 2023}}
Aircraft
The Alap-Alap Formation display team uses three of the four RBAirF / TUDB Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II turboprop aircraft purchased from Switzerland in 1997, a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft powered by a {{Convert|522|kW|shp|abbr=off|lk=on}} PT-6A-25C turboprop engine driving a four-blade variable-pitch propeller. All four PC-7 aircraft of the RBAirF are liveried in a white, blue, red, and yellow colour-scheme. The three aircraft used by the Alap-Alap Formation display team (registration numbers: TUDB-302, TUDB-303, and TUDB-304) are fitted with two under-wing smoke pods, mounted on external hard-points, which generate white smoke during displays.{{Cite AV media|people=John Mounce (photographer)|date=9 July 2011|url=https://www.airhistory.net/photo/608974/TUDB302|title=Photo of TUDB-302, TUDB-303, and TUDB-304 in formation flight with smoke trailing|website=AirHistory.net|type=photo|location=Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba, Brunei Darussalam|access-date=10 December 2023}}
Operation
Currently the Royal Brunei Air Force have a total of four PC-7 Mk.II aircraft. The aircraft are under the management of No 73 Squadron TUDB (originally known as 63 Squadron ATUDB), a flying squadron of No. 7 Wing RBAirF, part of the Flying Training School (FTS) of the training wing located at the Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba.
Pilots
Identified by their respective 'Eagle' call signs, the display team consists of three pilots. One pilot is local, from the Royal Brunei Air Force, and two remaining pilots are from the British Royal Air Force (RAF), one on loan from the RAF and the other directly contracted to the RBAF. All are Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) pilots, whilst its team leader achieved the Formation Aerobatic Leader qualification from the Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) in the UK.{{Cite web|url=https://mindef.gov.bn/airforce/SitePages/Commanding%20Officer%20No.7%20Wing.aspx|title=Commanding Officer No. 7 Wing - Lieutenant Colonel (U) Pg Mohd Zulhusmi Bin Pg Mohd Roslan|website=MinDef.gov.bn|publisher=Defence Information Technology Unit, Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam|access-date=10 December 2023}}
- Eagle One: Capt (LS) Richard Frick (TUDB / RAF)
- Eagle Two: Lieutenant Colonel (U) Pg Mohd Zulhusmi Bin Pg Mohd Roslan (TUDB)
- Eagle Three: Richard Homer (RAF)
Displays
Alap-Alap Formation have displayed during the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) 50th Anniversary, and continue frequent training. They are the first team in Brunei to carry out formation aerobatics at low level altitudes of {{Convert|500|ft|abbr=off}}.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.airliners.net/photo/Brunei-Air-Force/Pilatus-PC-7-Mk2/77782/L Pilatus PC-7 Mk2 - Brunei - Air Force - Aviation Photo #0077782] — photo of a Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II of the RBAirF (c/n: 602, registration: ATUDB 302), the type used by Alap-Alap Formation, at Airliners.net, April 2000
{{Military of Brunei}}
{{Modern aerobatic teams}}
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