VFAT,

Robin Nadler

Only two meters from aircraft to aircraft, flying between 400 and 850 km/h and pulling up to 6G’s in a formation of 6 F-5 Tiger II, the Virtual Patrouille Suisse takes on the virtual skies to join virtual airshow events around the world.

We are a group of flight simulators enthusiastic who represent the virtual replica of the real air demonstration team, the Patrouille Suisse. Twice a week, we meet up and join a multiplayer session in the Digital Combat Simulator (DCS), to practice show routines for future virtual airshows events. Founded in 2003, we started with just four members and flew in red and white P-51 Mustangs in the IL2 combat simulator. Over the years, we have grown on members to form up demonstrations with 6 jets and and ground staff to support the team from behind the scenes. Recently, in 2014, we extended our software inventory with a self-developed F-5 Tiger II 3d model. Unlike the Patrouille Suisse pilots, some of our members are spread around Europe, as for this year, from Switzerlnad and Germany. Like the real team, we only accept applicants with the right profile to avoid conflicts among all members. Flight experience doesn’t play a big role since virtual formation flying is a unique experience in the flight simulator community.