Make sure to block 21 & 22 September in your calendar so you don’t miss this display that was very popular when it visited the International Sanicole Airshow twice before: the Turkish Air Force’s F-16 solo display, “Soloturk”.
Turkey is the largest F-16 operator outside the United States. Since 2011, they have travelled Europe and Asia with their gorgeously painted Soloturk F-16. The aircraft is a modern F-16C Block 30 and it is based near Ankara. The display aircraft is painted gloss black with golden highlights. The crescent and the star symbolize the loyalty and value attributed by the Turkish Air Force to the Turkish nation and flag, while the brilliant eagle represents the determination and freedom innate in aviators’ souls. The black and grey diagonal lines reaching to the nose of the aircraft, on the other hand, describe the characteristics of aviation such as fast-thinking/acting, constant progress and limitless ambition, while the silver star indicates Turkey’s ambition to be the star of the 21st century.
The F-16 has a rich history within the Turkish Air Force, dating back to its introduction in 1987, patrolling Turkish airspace to participating in NATO missions, including operations in Afghanistan and the Balkans.
The Soloturk demonstration includes several unique manoeuvers, including a dolphin pass demonstrating the excellent nose-authority offered by the sophisticated fly-by-wire system, and the Soloturk roll, a series of fast barrel rolls at high angles of attack. Topping off their mesmerizing spectacle are salvos of infrared decoy flares.
We are delighted to see the team back at Sanicole and are certain you will give them a warm welcome.
