Falcons Fly Into 2019!

National Aerobatic Team of Jordan - The Royal Jordanian Falcons - announced their 2019 schedule last week (23rd March 2019), and within it was a healthy four UK Airshow appearances. The standard RIAT and Yeovilton shows feature, but more surprising are the additions of the Military Airshow at Old Warden in July, and Biggin Hill Festival of Flight in August. The latter two shows haven't featured the Jordanian Falcons for many years, so makes for a pleasant addition. 

To start with, the team formed with just a pair of Pitts S2A Specials, another airframe was soon added, so they were able to perform as a three ship team. A major update came in 1982 when the team was re-equipped with four Pitts S2S Specials and the power went up from 200hp in the earlier S2A, to 260hp in the new S2S. Ten years later the Royal Jordanian Falcons said goodbye to the Pitts Special and welcomed the Extra 300 to the team - with it’s increased performance and reduced weight it enhanced their capabilities during the display massively. 

The team currently fly the Extra-330 LX aircraft (seen here displaying over RIAT last summer with their well-polished routine that includes the synchronised barrel roll, breaks and bomb bursts) which they transitioned to last year, as well as adorning a resplendent new paint scheme - which looks very smart indeed. As mentioned, on their itinerary is a display at Old Warden (the home of the Shuttleworth Collection) on Sunday July 7th for the Military Show. This will be their first visit there since a very windy appearance back in 1997. Needless to say the Royal Jordanian Falcons flew a faultless routine and even sent the solo up for a separate display later in the day as it was just too windy for anything else based there to fly!

Air Displays UK was fortunate enough to be able to chat with the Team in a short Q&A session last week about their 2019 season and specifically visiting the UK: 

"Firstly, thank you for chatting to Air Displays UK. Do you enjoy coming to the UK in the summer, as part of that European tour? It's great to see such strong support from you for the UK Airshows this year."
  

"We have (had) strong ties with UK for many, many years. We are regular attendees at RIAT, and also at Yeovilton. The UK is one of our favourite destinations every year."   

"I've seen your schedule for 2019, with a good number of UK appearances, which is always great to see. Is there a possibility that you would double book on a weekend like Biggin Hill, to also appear at Airbourne?"
  

"We prefer to do one Airshow every weekend due to logistical reasons." 

"Another show, which is slightly surprising to a few people, is Old Warden, given it normally centres around warbirds and other vintage types. Are you looking forward to bringing your display back to such an intimate Airshow?"
  

"We did Old Warden once many years ago. I also have to add that the Royal Heritage flight here in Aqaba is our other department working under our umbrella, where we operate one hunter and one Vampire. So this adds up (to) a good reason to do Old Warden!"

"Who are the pilots for 2019? Do you rotate display pilots or does it tend to stay the same each year?"
  

"The team pilots will be announced soon on our website, after having finished the insurance papers etc. We have 2 military pilots who are from the Air Force - flying the F16, but full time with us. Others are ex-Falcons who have retired from the Air Force and hired as full time with us."

"A question from a follower; wanting to ask what the aviation scene is like in Jordan? Is there many Airshows or events?"
  

"We are based and operate in Aqaba, therefore we display every weekend over the lovely beaches of Aqaba, entertaining tourists. Aviation here in Jordan is the same (as) other countries."

"Finally, do you have a message for the Air Displays UK followers about this year and your UK appearances?"
  

"We, the Royal Jordanian Falcons, look forward to meeting all of our UK fans and we also hope they will like our display over the UK territories, meeting friends and making new friends everywhere. We wish every body safe and successful Airshows!"   

We look forward to seeing them this year, around the UK. Look out for the rare display at Old Warden especially! 

My thanks to the Royal Jordanian Falcons for speaking to us.

Written by Matt Silvaire and Chris Gurney.

Photos by Chris Gurney.