Halcones

Escuadrilla de Alta Acrobacia Halcones ("Hawks High Aerobatics Squad"), known simply as Hawks (Halcones), is an active group of nine officers of the Chilean Air Force trained to do aerobatics. One of the Halcones signature moves is recreating the Chilean flag in the air using smoke.

The team flies the Extra 300 aerobatic aircraft. Their aerobatic routine has been shown in Ecuador, Brazil, England, Belgium, United States, Canada, Israel, France, Peru and Bolivia, among others.



Pitts S2A
1981-1990 The Air Force acquired models S-2A and S-2S (for the plane alone). This agile biplane - American made - is powered by a 200hp Lycoming engine. The S-2S with a 260hp engine.

The Halcones used the Pitts for about 400 events in country and abroad. In those years, the prestige gained in Chile by pilots of the Squad quickly transcended borders, and they received many invitations to international events, as following:

The last presentation was made on February 25, 1990.

Extra 300
1990 - 2003 The Air Force aware of the new and advancing aeronautic technology decided to replace the old, but romantic biplane (Pitts) for a new plane: the Extra 300. This monoplane-wing media, of German procedure, is powered by a Textron Lycoming engine of 300 hp. 2700 rpm. 6-cylinder and a 3-propeller blades of wood covered with carbon fiber. Among its main features that we can highlight is a two-seater plane built of 60% composite materials and 40% of metal, load factor and G + 10 - 10 G, roll rate of 360 ° per second, maximum weight 950 kg. It was designed to make all kinds of aerobatic maneuvers, but can only sustain 4 minutes of inverted flight. Around 400 presentations made our Squad with the material Extra 300 in the country (from Arica to Punta Arenas, as well as Easter Island) and abroad. The prestige awarded by the "Halcones" made that High Command Institutional receive many invitations, materialized as follows:

The last presentation made by the Extra 300 plane was on May 13, 2012. The High Aerobatics Squad "Halcones" has achieved many important distinctions with the material Extra 300, demonstrating that the excellent expertise of the Air Force.

Extra 300 L
2003 - Today.

The national and international prestige attained by the High Aerobatics Squad "Halcones", is due to the excellent professionalism of each of his members and the excellent air material that have been selected for this Squad. Because of the success achieved with the material Extra 300, the Team began flying the new Extra 300 L. This aircraft is the modification of the old Extra, just perfected. Undoubtedly, the acquisition of this new material will allow us to better confront our future challenges. This low-wing monoplane, of German origin, is powered by a Textron Lycoming engine of 300 hp. 2700 rpm. 6-cylinder and 4-propeller blades of wood coated with carbon fibre. Among its main features that we can highlight is a two-seater plane was built in 60% of composite materials and 40% of metal, load factor and G + 10 - 10 G, why roll of 420 ° per second, in the silencer tailpipe, maximum weight 950 kg., designed to make all kinds of acrobatics, but still with only 4 minute inverted flight time. The first presentation material Extra 300 L was the February 29, 2003.

Obtained awards
During his 31 years of High Aerobatics Squad "Halcones (Hawks)" has visited countries like Ecuador, Brazil, Canada, USA, England, Belgium, Israel, France and Peru.

Best Air Display
This prize was awarded in the city of Springfield, Illinois, USA, 1990, and in honor of the presentation made with by the new aircraft, The Extra-300. The High Aerobatics Squad "Halcones (Hawks)" Team was the first to use this aircraft for their demonstrations. This recognition made raise even more the name from the Squad, as it was obtained only one year experience in the Extra - 300.

Sir Douglas Bader
This prize was awarded in the second visit to England Squad of the International Air Tattoo in 1993. On this occasion, the Hawkss again captivated the public, this being the most important prize which is given in this festival.

Best Individual Flying Demonstration
In 1993, during participation in the International Air Tattoo in England and get the prize for best presentation of a Team abroad, the airplane "only" training was recognized with the distinction as "Best Individual Presentation."

50 anniversary of the USAF
As part of the ceremony for the commemoration of the U.S. Air Force in 1997, the High Aerobatics Squad "Halcones(Hawks)" was invited to participate in the celebration with the best Team of the world, in recognition of his brilliant career.

50 anniversary of IAF
The year 1998 and during the 50° anniversary of the Israel Air Force, the High Aerobatics Squad "Halcones (Hawks)" was invited to participate in this event, thanks to it, big professionalism and quality it give distinguished all these years.

Ives Duval
This is the most important prize of our Squad. Retrieved in the town of Evreux, France, in July 1998, during the First World Championship Patrol Acrobat, held to mark the centenary of the Aeroclub de France. In this festival were invited thirteen countries with their respective Teams acrobatics, and our Squad was chosen as the "Best of the Best". This recognition is enhanced because the same pilots participants had an important task of electing the winner Team. The award was handed over by French Defence Minister, accompanied by the Commander in Chief of the Air Force that country.

Incidents
On August 8, 2007 the number 5 plane piloted by Captain Mario Costa had to make an emergency landing because it hit another plane in the group during an exercise. At landfall, the plane hit a demolished a parked vehicle, the pilot was rescued without injuries.

On November 9, 2011, during a routine training exercise on "El Bosque", and after a tour across the country, pilot N°3, Lieutenant Cristián Padilla, 28 years old, crashed on his aircraft (Extra-300L), resulting on the death of the pilot. The exact causes of the accident are still being investigated.