EXCLUSIVE - Swiss Hornet Display Team

This week we had the pleasure of interviewing Vincent the Pilot of the Swiss F-18 display. The display will feature at two UK airshows this summer. Last week it was revealed the Swiss Hornet would be supplying the noise at RAF Cosford. Yesterday the Air Tattoo team revealed that the Swiss will be performing in the skies above Fairford.

Photo Credit : Swiss Hornet Display Team - Vincent smiles after completing another sortie.

So we interviewed Vincent and asked about the up and coming season. As your all aware the F-18 has being a regular at UK shows in recent years so we asked how he feels about the maneuvers and the aircraft behind the Award winning display.

***PILOT SUMMARY***

Name of pilot - Vincent

Age - 35

Aircraft - F/A-18 Hornet

Team name - Swiss Hornet Display Team

Sqn 17 of the Swiss Air Force

1) So how does it feel to be showcasing the F-18 in the UK again?

"Vincent" - I’m very happy to showcase once more the Hornet in UK because a good relationship with UK and the RAF is very important for the Swiss Air Force.

2) Whats your favorite maneuver in your display?

Prepare for facts....

"Vincent" - The pirouette: it is a flat turn with around 60 degrees of AOA, looking like a flat spin but fully controlled. It’s a unique capability of the Hornet and no other western aircraft can do that.

3) Do you have a lucky charm like footballers have a Lucky pair of socks?

"Vincent" - No. Flying a good show is a question of professionalism and training. There is no place for luck when you fly every day and around 20 Airshows a year.

4) Clearly this is a great honor displaying for the Swiss Air Force, was it always your aim to become a pilot?

"Vincent" - Yes, I decided to become a fighter pilot at the age of 14 and I’m still living my dream to this day.

5) Apart from the F-18, what aircraft would you love to take control of if you had the opportunity?

Vincent - flying the F-22 in Hawaii would be something pretty cool, but more seriously I really would like to fly a legendary WW2 warbird like the Spitfire or a Corsair.

6) Are you looking forward to displaying in the UK?

Vincent - The UK is always nice, because people love aviation. The UK is for sure one of the countries we regularly go to, but it’s not me deciding where I go and we only come on invitation from the organizers.

7) What your greatest airshow memory?

"Vincent" - Every Airshow is nice and different, so very difficult question. Every Airshow I've been to was cool in its own way.

8) If you could display at any show past or present which would it be?

"Vincent" - I like the contact with the public, so I would like to do an Airshow at which I haven’t been yet, and then another one, and another one...

9) Whats your Preseason training routine?

"Vincent" - First I design both routines (good and bad weather routines) during winter, then I fly those in the simulator and finally I do a 2 week training course, first at high altitude then medium, then low altitude.

10) First time displaying at Cosford are you looking forward to the opportunity?

"Vincent" - Cosford is important for us because it’s the official RAF Airshow, and of course I hope the public and the RAF will enjoy the unique display of the Swiss Hornet Display Team

We thank Vincent for been so friendly and taking the time to answer our questions. We hope to see you at Cosford and RIAT. I'm sure all the Avgeeks will enjoy the site of this aircraft in British skies once again this summer.

Questions asked by Kian : Miles to go - Aviation Blogging