Breitling Jet Team set to soar at Abbotsford and Toronto

Breitling is known the world over for its high-end technical watches, the development of the wrist chronograph and a passion for aviation that is demonstrated by its participation in the Reno Air Races, the Red Bull Air Race, and aircraft restoration projects like the company’s Lockheed Super Constellation—one of only two airworthy examples remaining in the world today. 

The Swiss company also boasts a seven-jet formation aerobatic team. The Breitling Jet Team, based in France, performs nearly 50 times a year throughout Europe at airshows, Formula 1 Grand Prix races, and sporting events. They are the world’s largest civilian jet team, flying a wide variety of jaw-dropping maneuvers and impressive, tightly-grouped formations. The group’s seven pilots have a combined 46,000 flying hours, and this year they’re making their first trip to North America for a historic two-year, 40-plus airshow “American Tour” which includes two stops in Canada. 

Arranging a tour of this magnitude is a monumental task. That responsibility goes to Breitling USA and Canada aviation consultant and tour director, Jim DiMatteo, who shed some light on the challenges that were faced in the well over a year it took to organize the agenda. 

“The planning and coordinating has taken over a year due to its complexity and the fact that nothing like this has ever been done before in the U.S. or Canada,” said DiMatteo. “To compound things, we have a Czech aircraft with Estonian certification, flown by French pilots for a Swiss company. These factors play into the challenges of getting approval for the pilots and the aircraft to fly in the U.S. and Canada.” 

Make no mistake, there’s a lot more to this tour than repositioning seven jets across the Atlantic and then moving them from show to show.  There’s also the logistics involved in moving the team’s large support staff. Along with them comes a spare jet, a static jet, a Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner support aircraft, eight technicians, the team’s coach (and stand-in pilot), the ground support truck, and anywhere from five to 10 public relations staff from Breitling USA and Canada.

Canada will play host to the team twice this summer, starting with the Abbotsford International Airshow, Aug. 7 to 9. Team leader Jacques “Speedy” Bothelin, a pilot with more than 11,000 flight hours in 145 types of aircraft, is looking forward to flying their first Canadian show. “We are really looking forward to the team’s first performance in Canada at the Abbotsford International Airshow. It is one of Canada’s most prestigious airshows, and it will be a privilege for all of us to perform there in front of Canadian audiences for the first time,” he said. “It’s also very exciting to see some of the other performers at the show, like the world-renowned Canadian Forces Snowbirds.” 

Abbotsford crowds have been thrilled by countless legendary civilian performers and exciting military demonstrations over the show’s previous 52 years. This August, spectators will welcome the Breitling Jet Team for yet another first in the show’s rich history.

Jim Reith, president of the Abbotsford Airshow and a former Canadian Forces Snowbirds pilot, knows what the French team brings to the Canadian West Coast stage. “We are extremely pleased to host the Breitling Jet Team. They are one of the finest civilian demonstration teams in the world and have wowed audiences in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, with a dazzling performance of choreographed formation passes, splits and synchronized manoeuvres, some of which will have the pilots pulling up to eight Gs,” commented Reith.

The Breitling Jet Team flies the Czech-built Aero L-39 Albatros, a two-seat military trainer that was widely used in all former Soviet Bloc countries. It has a maximum speed of 405 knots and generates nearly 4,000 pounds of thrust, offering plenty of power and agility to get through the 11 manoeuvres and six formations flown during the team’s performance. 

The aerobatic team will make its second Canadian appearance at the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto, Sept. 5 to 7.

“Canada is important to Breitling and to the aviation and airshow community,” said DiMatteo.  “The two iconic airshows in Canada, Abbotsford and Toronto, have gone out of their way to allow us to perform. Abbotsford actually switched the dates of their show to accommodate our schedule, showing the importance they place on the Breitling Jet Team performing at their show. This was very much appreciated, as we are honoured to perform at such a highly regarded and largely respected Canadian airshow.”