The Blue Eagles are the Army Air Corps’ helicopter display team and perform using four Gazelle helicopters and one Lynx helicopter.
Following in the tradition of the Army's helicopter display team over the past quarter of a century, the Blue Eagles typify the qualities possessed by army pilots generally. Army flying is not about going from A to B. It is about using the aircraft to support troops on the ground. This requires a high degree of training, intense concentration, the ability to fly the aircraft instinctively and to work calmly under pressure.
HISTORY
The Blue Eagles, was formed by instructors at the School of Army Aviation Middle Wallop in 1968, using five Bell-47G3B1 Sioux helicopters. Following various changes in format and aircraft types (including Sioux, Scout Gazelle and Lynx), the team has since continued under the names Eagles, Army Eagles, Sparrow-Hawks and, for the team’s 25th anniversary in 1993, The Silver Eagles. In that year, using the current format of one Lynx and four Gazelles, the team won the prestigious Wilkinson Sword at the International Air Tattoo, for the best display by a UK participant.
The team relies heavily on sponsors for its uniforms and operating costs as well as the back up of the ground support team. The maintenance and preparation of the Team’s five aircraft and other support tasks for the six-month display season is entirely the responsibility of just four civilian technicians and four groundcrew soldiers.
One feature of the display is the back-flip performed by the Lynx helicopter.
