View source for Silver Falcons

{{short description|South African aerobatic display team}}
{{use South African English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
|unit_name=Silver Falcons <br /> South African Air Force Aerobatic Team
|image=[[File:Silver Falcons logo.png|180px]]
|caption=Emblem of the SAAF Silver Falcons
|dates= 1953 – present
|country= [[File:Flag of South Africa.svg|20px]] South Africa
|allegiance=
|branch= [[South African Air Force]]
|type=
|role= [[Aerobatic]] flight display team
|size= 
|command_structure=
|garrison= [[AFB Langebaanweg|Langebaanweg]]
|garrison_label=Base
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|colors= Red, Green, Blue, Black and White
|colors_label=Colours
|march=
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|disbanded=
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|aircraft_trainer= {{Unbulleted list| 1946–19?? [[T-6 Texan|T-6 Harvard]]| 19??–195? [[de Havilland Vampire]]|1966–1998 [[Aermacchi MB-326|Aermacchi MB-326 "Impala"]]  | 1998–present [[Pilatus PC-7|Pilatus PC-7 Mk II]]  }}
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The '''Silver Falcons''' is the [[aerobatic]] display team of the [[South African Air Force]]. Based at Air Force Base [[AFB Langebaanweg|Langebaanweg]] near [[Cape Town]], the Silver Falcons fly the [[Pilatus PC-7|Pilatus PC-7 Mk II]], the basic trainer of the SA Air Force in a 5-ship routine. The main purpose of the Silver Falcons is to enhance the image of the [[South African Air Force]], encourage recruitment and instill national pride through public display.

==History==
[[File:SilverFalcons5.jpg|thumb|left|current Silver Falcons paint scheme]]
Originally formed in 1953 as the ''Bumbling Bees'' and flying the [[T-6 Texan|T-6 Harvard]] and then the [[de Havilland Vampire]]. The Bumbling Bees flew a 4 ship formation and made a name for themselves by regularly taking part in South African airshows. The team disbanded in the late 1950s leaving a gap in South African aviation.

During 1966 the [[Aermacchi MB-326|Aermacchi MB-326 "Impala"]] arrived and the Bumbling Bees were reinstated under the command of Colonel Chris Prins. The Silver Falcons were based at Air Force Base Langebaanweg on the West Coast of South Africa, near [[Cape Town]]. The team went from strength to strength and the idea to change the name to a more bilingual-sounding name came about. The Silver Falcons ("Die Silwer Valke" in Afrikaans) team was founded and gave their first display in November 1967 at the opening of the Atlas Aircraft Corporation.

During 1986, under the command of Commandant Dave Knoesen, the team was expanded to a 5 ship to bring about more exciting display postures and to include a solo display. The aircraft were also painted in orange, white and blue to represent the then current South African flag.

The Silver Falcons operated from Langebaanweg until the early 1990s, when all the Impala training was moved to Air Force Base Hoedspruit, in the Lowveld region of South Africa, and formed part of [[85 Combat Flying School SAAF|85 Combat Flying School]]. During 1994 with a new national flag, the aircraft were repainted to represent the colours of the SA Air Force:  blue, light blue and white.

The Silver Falcons continued to operate from Hoedspruit until in 1998, the Silver Falcons moved to [[AFB Langebaanweg]] and commenced training in the Pilatus Astra. The decision was partly made due to the shortage of flying instructors at 85 CFS and also to display the new turbo-prop trainer to the nation. During this move, the team was once again reduced to a 4 ship. For nine years, the team flew in the standard red and white paint scheme of the Astra fleet.

In 2008, 6 of the Astras were repainted in a unique blue and white livery and the team was expanded to a 5-ship again. Paint for the respray was donated by a local paint supplier, First African Paints. The first display in the new livery was flown at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Expo at [[AFB Ysterplaat]] in September 2008.

==Aircraft==
{{Main|Pilatus PC-7}}
The [[Pilatus PC-7|Pilatus PC-7 Mk II]] is a high performance single-engine turboprop aircraft, used by the [[South African Air Force]] for ab-initio training. It is powered by a 750 shp limited to 700 [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6|Pratt & Whitney PT6A-25C]] engine and is designed for G-loadings between +7 and −3.5 G, making it ideal for [[aerobatics]]. The aircraft has a tandem seat configuration with [[Martin-Baker|Martin Baker CH-11A]] ejection seats.

For all practical purposes the PC-7 Mk II can be seen as a hybrid between the PC-7 and the newer PC-9. Both these aircraft types are popular as military trainers and are in service with more than 30 air forces. Like the PC-9, the PC-7 Mk II features a larger cockpit, upgraded airframe and instruments and is fitted with a ventral airbrake, but it retains the smaller engine of the original PC-7.

'''Specifications'''
* Wing span&nbsp;— 10.19 m
* Length&nbsp;— 10.13 m
* Max Operating Speed&nbsp;— 300 knots (555&nbsp;km/h)
* Maximum Mach Number&nbsp;— Mach 0.6
* Maximum Operating Altitude&nbsp;— 25 000&nbsp;ft (7 622 m)[[File:Silver Falcons-004.JPG|thumb|Silver Falcons during a flight demo]]
* Stalling Speed (Clean)&nbsp;— 75 knots (139&nbsp;km/h)
* Stalling Speed (Landing Configuration)&nbsp;— 65 knots (120&nbsp;km/h)
* Minimum Speed For Ground Level Ejection&nbsp;— 65 knots (120&nbsp;km/h)

==Accidents and incidents==
*16 April 1988 – Capt Kobus Griesel ejected from an [[Aermacchi MB-326|Aermacchi MB-326 Impala]] after his engine caught fire during a display at [[Franschhoek]].
*2 October 1993&nbsp;— During an airshow at [[Lanseria Airport]], Falcon 5 crashed during a low-level solo display sequence. Capt Charlie Rudnick ejected moments after structural failure caused the right wing of his Impala Mk I to separate from the fuselage, but was killed on impact.

==Current team==
The team consists of 5 display pilots, 3 support officers and 12 ground crew members. Falcon 1 is the formation leader, with Falcons 2–5 being the wingmen.
All the team's pilots are serving instructors at the [[Central Flying School SAAF|Central Flying School]].

===Team 67===
August 2008 – September 2008
September 2008 – October 2008<ref name=Teams />
:Falcon 1: Maj Scott Ternent
:Falcon 2: Capt Guy du Sautoy
:Falcon 3: Maj Alex Macphail
:Falcon 4: Capt D Deetlefs
:Falcon 5: Maj Nico Frylinck

===Team 68===
September 2008 – October 2008<ref name=Teams />
:Falcon 1: Maj Scott Ternent
:Falcon 2: Capt Guy du Sautoy
:Falcon 3: Capt Buti Tsebe
:Falcon 4: Capt D Deetlefs
:Falcon 5: Maj Nico Frylinck

===Team 69===
October 2008 – December 2008<ref name=Teams />
:Falcon 1: Maj Scott Ternent
:Falcon 2: Capt Roy Sproul
:Falcon 3: Capt Buti Tsebe
:Falcon 4: Capt D Deetlefs
:Falcon 5: Maj Nico Frylinck

===Team 70===
January 2009 – December 2010<ref name=Teams>{{cite web|title=Silver Falcons teams to date|url=http://www.silverfalcons.co.za/history/falcon-teams-to-date.html|publisher=The Silver Falcons|access-date=17 March 2014}}</ref>
:Falcon 1: Maj Scott Ternent (Leader)
:Falcon 2: Capt Roy Sproul
:Falcon 3: Capt Buti Tsebe
:Falcon 4: Capt Gerhard Lourens
:Falcon 5: Maj Nico Frylinck (Soloist)
:'''Ancillary Members''':
::Ground Liaison Officer: Capt Heybrech van Niekerk
::Public Relations Officer: 2Lt Brian Goldschmidt

===Team 71===
March 2011 – December 2011<ref name=Teams />
:Falcon 1 – Capt Roy Sproul (Leader)
:Falcon 2 – Capt Heybrech van Niekerk (first female member)
:Falcon 3 – Capt Buti Tsebe
:Falcon 4 – Capt Gerhard Lourens
:Falcon 5 – Maj Beau Skarda (Soloist)

===Team 72===
December 2011 – May 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://silverfalcons.co.za/index.php/history/individual-falcon-pilots-to-date.html |title=The Silver Falcons |publisher=The Silver Falcons |access-date=2012-07-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saairforce.co.za/news-and-events/1014/new-silver-falcons-team-member |title=The South African Air Force |publisher=Saairforce.co.za |date=26 July 2011 |access-date=2012-07-26}}</ref>
:Falcon 1 – Maj Roy Sproul (Leader)
:Falcon 2 – Capt Heybrech van Niekerk (first female member)
:Falcon 3 – Lt Jacques Poolman
:Falcon 4 – Capt Gerhard Lourens
:Falcon 5 – Maj Beau Skarda (Soloist)

===Team 73<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.silverfalcons.co.za/index.php/the-team/air-crew.html |title=Silver Falcons |publisher=silverfalcons.co.za |access-date=2012-11-09}}</ref>===
:Falcon 1 – Maj Roy Sproul (Leader)
:Falcon 2 – Maj Werner Vermaak
:Falcon 3 – Lt Jacques Poolman
:Falcon 4 – Maj Heybrech van Niekerk (first female member)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saairforce.co.za/news-and-events/975/new-silver-falcons-team-on-display |title=The South African Air Force |publisher=Saairforce.co.za |date=25 March 2011 |access-date=2012-07-26}}</ref>
:Falcon 5 – Maj Beau Skarda (Soloist)
:'''Ancillary Members''':
::Ground Liaison Officer: Capt Mark Gentles
::Public Relations Officer: Lt Brian Goldschmidt

===Team 74<ref name=Teams />===
:Falcon 1 – Maj Roy Sproul (Leader)
:Falcon 2 – Capt Mark Gentles
:Falcon 3 – Lt Jacques Poolman
:Falcon 4 – Maj Werner Vermaak
:Falcon 5 – Maj Beau Skarda (Soloist)
:'''Ancillary Members''':
::Ground Liaison Officer: Capt Loedolff Muller
::Public Relations Officer: Lt Brian Goldschmidt

===Team 75===
:Falcon 1 – Maj Beau Skarda (Leader)
:Falcon 2 – Capt Mark Gentles
:Falcon 3 – Capt Loedolff Muller
:Falcon 4 – Maj Werner Vermaak
:Falcon 5 – Capt Jacques Poolman (Soloist)
:'''Ancillary Members''':
::Ground Liaison Officer: Still to be elected.
::Public Relations Officer: Capt Christo Jansen

===Team 76===
:Falcon 1 – Maj Beau Skarda (Leader)
:Falcon 2 – Maj Marc Bennett
:Falcon 3 – Maj Loedolff Muller
:Falcon 4 – Maj Werner Vermaak
:Falcon 5 – Maj Mark Gentles (Soloist)

:Major Jacques Poolman (official reservist)

===Team 77===
:Falcon 1 – Maj Werner Vermaak (Leader)
:Falcon 2 – Maj Marc Bennett
:Falcon 3 – Capt Jacques Poolman
:Falcon 4 – Maj Loedolff Mûller
:Falcon 5 – Maj Mark Gentles (Soloist)

===Team 78===
:Falcon 1 – Maj Werner Vermaak (Leader)
:Falcon 2 – Maj Marc Bennett
:Falcon 3 – Maj Shaun Constable
:Falcon 4 – Maj Loedolff Mûller
:Falcon 5 – Maj Mark Gentles (Soloist)

===Team 79===
:Falcon 1 – Maj Mark Gentles (Leader)
:Falcon 2 – Maj James Wilcox
:Falcon 3 – Capt Omphile Mutloane
:Falcon 4 – Maj Marc Bennett
:Falcon 5 – Maj Shaun Constable (Soloist)

===Team 80===
:Falcon 1 – Maj Mark Gentles (Leader)
:Falcon 2 – Maj James Wilcox
:Falcon 3 – Major Sivuyile Tangana
:Falcon 4 – Capt Wendy Badenhorst
:Falcon 5 – Capt Omphile Mutloane (Soloist)

==References==
*[http://www.silverfalcons.co.za/ Silver Falcons Official website]
*[http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/ Ejection-history.org.uk], Project Get out and Walk
*''Zero Error Margin: Airshow Display Flying Analysed'' by Maj Gen [[Desmond Barker]]

===Notes===
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|SAAF Silver Falcons}}
*[http://www.silverfalcons.co.za/ Silver Falcons Official website]
*[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Silver-Falcons-Aerobatic-Team/46084028568?ref=ts/ Silver Falcons Facebook Fan Page]
*[http://www.aadexpo.co.za/ Africa Aerospace & Defence Expo 2008]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110708062936/http://silverfalcons.blogspot.com/ Silver Falcons Blog]

{{Modern aerobatic teams}}
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[[Category:Air force units and formations of South Africa]]
[[Category:South African aerobatic teams]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1946]]