A Rare U.S. Appearance For The French Precision Demonstration Team

Sun 'n Fun 2017 attendees got a rare treat during the April 3 and 4 air shows ... a performance by the Patrouille de France, the French military precision demonstration team.

The team toured North America as part of the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into WWI. Maj. Christophe Dubois, Team Leader of Patrouille de France, told ANN CEO and Editor in Chief Jim Campbell that the team came to Sun 'n Fun to show the skills of the French Air Force as part of their partnership with aircraft manufacturer Daher.

Maj. Dubois said that the team's demonstrations are different than U.S. audiences are accustomed to seeing. Compared to the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds, which Dubois described as "powerful and very sharp", the Patrouille de France performs a show that is "smart and smooth. Not so much noise."

Dubois said that the French team always stays in view of the spectators, and they fly in formations as close as 3 meters, or about 10 feet, between aircraft.

Dubois said that the main reason for the team's visit to the U.S. was to "reinforce the brotherhood we have between our countries."

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