NO(^88) THE MAGAZINE 01 89
SCANDINAVIAN
AVIATION MAGAZINE
Admiration
If we were to summarize this tour in a word, it
would probably be admiration.
Come “to cross swords with” the Americans, at
home, is a challenge and the BJT has succeeded
its. Professional aviators, amateurs and
enthusiasts have deservedly expressed respect
and admiration for French pilots and mechanics.
On this point, the team was touched by this
welcome: “The public was extremely warm.
Whether it is Asia or the United States, the public
is far warmer than in Europe” confided Bernard
Charbonnel, and his leader confirmed his words:
“People who express their satisfaction, their
positive emotions openly and without restraint,
to applaud and say that they are happy. We are
probably more reserved in Europe”. A difference
of culture, certainly, but this could be worth
thinking about...
Admiration also for the Jet Team with what it
experienced for two years.
They have been invited to major events such as
the Fleet Week in San Francisco, or Miramar Air
Show. They also made appearances at the Red
Bull Air Race in Las Vegas and the mythical Reno
races in Nevada. Many will say they were lucky.
Anyway, everyone in the French aerobatic team
is aware of that: “Circling Golden Bridge and
Alcatraz is after all a privilege. Period!” summed
up “Charbo”.
And these landscapes! How can an aviator
cross an entire country and its majestic sites,
such as Niagara Falls, Mount Rushmore,
Badlands National Park, the Devil Tower National
Monument... and not be amazed and fascinated?
The magic moment
It’s simple, ask the pilots which flight has made a
deep impression on their minds. “The question is
difficult because there are many!” replied the Left
outside wingman. For almost all crews, one of the
highlights is undoubtedly one of the last displays
in San Francisco Bay, which was “exceptional!”
according to Bernard Charbonnel.
“The demonstration of San Francisco is an
image. We had flown San Francisco Bay, we had
done photo flights before, so we had already
seen the site. But the first loop made in the
bay, under the conditions that we did... it was
the magic moment!” related Patrick Marchand
and Jacques Bothelin added: “Exceptional
conditions, very beautiful, super visibility, a calm
air, an extraordinary light. Personally, if I were to
remember one display during the two years in the
United States, it would be this one”.
Home Sweet Home
After a final display at the Surf City USA Air Show
(sponsored by Breitling), which took place in Los
Angeles, specifically at Huntington Beach, now it
was time for the mechanics to disassemble the
aircraft and to load the eleven containers for their
return to the Old Continent.
To sum up, the American Tour was 30 airshows,
70 displays, 35 visited states and 46,300 km
traveled.