Three for Three

The Patrouille de France (SL) and the SL United State Navy Blue Angels have become sister squadrons over the years and an agreement was made to allow each squadron access to the technology used in their special aircraft. The three most senior pilots from both squadrons would be issued an aircraft in training livery: the full blue internship colors for the F/A-18C Hornet and the in GE 314 (Groupement école) 'Christian Martel' colors for the Alphajet.
 

The exchange, known as 3-4-3, took place during the 10 year anniversary of the PAF (SL), October 21, 2019, at their base of Salon. Both squadrons now have the capacity of practicing together and studying each other's methods. For the PAF (SL) the pilots are Cnl. Rhea Thor, Lcl. Paterne Lefavre and Lcl. Mara Klaber. For the Blue Angels the pilots are CAPT. Vickster Kuhn, CAPT. Asra Kron and CDR. Jenny Kaz.

CAPT. Asra Kron
Blue Angel #7

Blue Angels VIP Ride - Lcl. Paterne Lefavre

 
On August 21, 2019, the Blue Angels gave Lieutenant Colonel Paterne Lefavre, Patrouille de France (SL), the VIP Ride certificate relative to his flight aboard Blue Angel #7 during the 2019 edition of the ID4 Air Show. The French aerobatic squadron was present for the occasion and graced the Blues with a private aerobatic demonstration at NAS Patuxent River. The certificate was handed to Lcl. Lefavre in the Blue Angels operations room at PAX. 

The two sister squadrons have planned an exchange of special aerobatic aircraft in operation, in what is being called the 3-4-3 exchange: three special F/A-18C Hornets in internship colors for three special Alphajets in GE 314 (Groupement école) 'Christian Martel' colors. (see Three for Three!)

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NFDTXO / Angel 7

ID4 2019

Details available here SOON!

 
Since 2016 the Blue Angels have had the unique privilege of demonstrating to the Second Life public the precision techniques of Naval Aviation, hoping to inspire a culture of excellence and service to country. We are honored to return to Cinsal Airport for the fourth consecutive year and fly the third consecutive Independence Day Air Show at Agrippa (ID4 2019).
For this year's edition we will be joined by two air demonstration teams: the Patrouille de France en SL (PAFsl) and Team Phoenix! Below you will find the squadron composition for each team and the Air Show program.

INDEPENDENCE DAY AIR SHOW ( ID4 )
Cinsal Airport
Agrippa - Nautilus
July 4, 2019

The Air Show will start at 08:30 hours SLT on Thursday, July 4th.

Audience sites:
Agrippa - CinSal Airport - USE THIS SLUR!
MacDuff - USS Defiant - USE THIS SLUR!
Tamora - USS Dauntless - USE THIS SLUR!

Air Parade Departure Site:
Boing - Angels International Airport and Harbor (SLAN) - USE THIS SLUR!

Air Show regions:
Team Phoenix - Regan
Blue Angels - Hortensio / Regan
Patrouille de France - Regan 
 

Audience areas are on the Southeast corner of Agrippa, CinSal Airport (20 seats) and on MacDuff sim on a USN Third Fleet frigate, the USS Defiant (36 seats). Please stay out of the circuit sims described in the show layout below. If you choose to watch the show from a private vessel at sea, proceed to one of the neighboring sims. Local airport personnel and Liberty Fire Department personnel will be on hand to help you find the best seat from where to watch the show. They will have landmarks and other information available on site.

The ID4 2017 Air Show celebrates the Independence Day in the United States and the SL United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels take to the skies for the fourth year for this momentous occasion. We are honored this year once again by the presence of the French Armée de l'Air aerobatic squadron Patrouille de France (PAF), present the last two editions of the ID4 Air Show, and Team Phoenix, flying at home at CinSal Airport where they are based. Team Phoenix flies the McDonnel Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk dual seat. The PAFsl flies Dassault-Dornier Alphajet E and this year they sport the 2017 American Tour color scheme. The Blue Angels fly the Boeing F/A- 18C single seat, the Boeing F/A- 18D dual seat (number 7) and the Lockheed C-130J "Fat Albert".
For this occasion, Team Phoenix and PAFsl are bringing four aircraft each and the Blue Angels five jet aircraft and the support aircraft. Here are the selected pilots from both squadrons:

DEMONSTRATION TEAMS

Team Phoenix
U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France en SL

Aircraft, Pilots and Crew

TEAM PHOENIX
Aircraft: McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk
Phoenix 1 - Mr Pilot (aviator747)
Phoenix 2 - Destiny Bellarosa (destiny0000)
Phoenix 3 - Diana266
Phoenix 4 - Bambi Baxter (biffbottom)

BLUE ANGEL #7 - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Aircraft: Boeing F/A-18D Hornet
Angel 7 - CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron

BLUE ANGELS jet team - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Aircraft: Boeing F/A-18C Hornet
Angel 1 - CAPT. Vickster "Speed" Kühn
Flight Leader
Angel 2 - LCDR. Chardy "Hinch" Oaks
Right Wing
Angel 3 - CDR. Dominique "Alba" van Dongen 
Left Wing
Angel 4 - CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
Slot / Opposing Solo / Narrator
Angel 5 - CDR. Jenny "QB" Kaz 
Lead Solo
 
BLUE ANGELS Fat Albert Airlines - U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Aircraft: Lockheed C-130T Hercules "Fat Albert"
Angel 8 - CDR. Dominique "Alba" van Dongen
Fat Albert Airlines pilot / Alternate Narrator

PAF - Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France en SL
Aircraft: Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet E
Athos 1 - LCL Mara Klaber (Leader)
Athos 2 - CNL Rhea Thor (Intérieur Droit) (Pafsl Group Leader)
Athos 3 - CDT Gwenblonde (Intérieur Gauche)
Athos 4 - CPT Tidus10 (Charognard)
Athos 9 - LCL Paterne Lefavre (stand by pilot)


ID4 2019 PROGRAM - JULY 4, 2019
All times are SLT (US Pacific Time)

08:00 am - Gates open
For the early birds, a chance to get the best seats and wander around the demo squadron area where the demonstration teams have their aircraft on static display.

08:30 am - Opening parade
An air parade with aircraft from all corners of Second Life whose pilots wish to mark the occasion, closed by the historic USN Sea King "Old 66" flying a large Stars and Stripes! The "Old 66" will land by the USN Blue Angels team area and will remain in static display.

09:00 am - Team areas close to the public
All visitors must make way to the audience locations. 

09:10 am - U.S. Navy Blue Angels VIP Ride
One special guest will board Blue Angel number 7 for a ride, in which several maneuvers performed by the squadron are executed.

10:00 am - Team Phoenix aerial demonstration
A demo squadron with a long tradition in the skies of Second Life, the flamed TA-4J Skyhawks will take to the skies for another great display of skill and precision.

10:45 am - U.S. Navy Blue Angels Fat Albert Airlines
Although grounded at the moment in real life, in Second Life the Blue Angels are proud to present the aerial demonstration performed by their support aircraft, the C-130J Hercules affectionately known as "Fat Albert".

11:15 am - U.S. Navy Blue Angels Jet Team
The SL United States Navy Demonstration Team Blue Angels will take their F/A-18C's to the skies on their third consecutive Independence Day Air Show at Cinsal Airport.

01:00 pm - Patrouille de France en SL
Returning to Agrippa to once more participate in our Independence Day celebrations, the French pilots of the Patrouille de France will grace us with one of the most spectacular aerial demonstrations in Second Life!

After the end of the last aerial demonstration the airport will be accessible to the public at all locations outside the audience areas and the participating aircraft will remain on static display for a closer look!

Enjoy the air show and happy Independence Day!

CAPT. Asra Kron
U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels - Angel 7

 

 

Armée de l'Air: French Air Power in Second Life

EPAA 20.300/312 (Equipe de Présentation de l'Armée de l'Air 20.300 et 20.312) aka the Patrouille de France in Second Life is the Armée de l'Air ambassador squadron and together with training squadron GE 314 (Groupement-École 314 "Christian Martel") share BA 701 as their home. Recently, the squadrons were relocated near Paris and got a small overseas base with open skies practice characteristics at Gordon Regional Airport in the small Sharp Continent.

Base Aeriénne 701 Salon-De-Provence is now, in Second Life, located very near Paris! The layout is exactly the same as it was for the last years and in one region manages to recreate the atmosphere of the real life BA 710: the academy building, the hangars, the gardens, the tarmac and runway... all the elements found in the real life air base and school are present and, in a nutshell, remind us of it in a very clever and emotional way. A reference in Second Life's aviation history.

Click on the images to enlarge.

BA 701 Salon-De-Provence. Tout-prés de Paris en SL! February, 2018.

One of the older Alpha Jets on display by the EPAA fallen heroes monument.

The Alphas lined up on the apron at the previous BA 701. August 2017.

Close up of the EPAA memorial. Lest we forget.

Full line up at Salon during the 2017 American Tour season! Things of beauty.

One of GE 314 Alphas captured during the Daystar International Air Show 2017.

A PAF Alpha Jet in the maintenance hangar at Gordon's. 01/30/2018.

CAPT. Asra Kron and Lcl. Paterne Lefavre at Gordon's. 01/30/2018.

A rare moment and honor. Cougar with all the squadron at Gordon's. 02/15/2018.

I was privileged to be invited to a rare occasion (documented above) at Gordon's, where the Patrouille de France en SL has their open skies base. On February 15, the squadron assembled there for the official team photo and I had the honor to take a photo with them during the session. A once in a lifetime moment. On that photo, from left to right, Lt. Chipoune, Cne. Patoulou, Lt. Tidus, Lt. Ariel, Lt. Jeremie Hottaling (Jenny), Col. Rhea Thor, yours truly "Cougar", Cdt. Aethalia Malies, Lcl. Mara Klaber, Cne. T'Sar Kanto, Lcl. Paterne Lefavre, Cdt. Gwenblonde and Cdt. Myrisse Loon. Oh happy day!

To all my friends at BA 701 best wishes for the 2018 Season. We will meet in the great blue sky and under it as well. Merci bien, de tout mon coeur!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
Angel 7

SLURs to the Air Bases of the Armée de l'Air in Second life:
To BA 701 Salon-De-Provence - SLUR here!
To Gordon Regional Airport - SLUR here!

Action Shot 03/18

Thanksgiving at Cougar's

This year's Thanksgiving Dinner at Cougar's Sore Bottom Sailing Club, NAS Miramar's clubhouse and open house to all air and sea travelers, took place this Thursday and the day was long and well spent in the company of those who could make it to Miramar. Cougar's has been from day one, almost two years ago, the stage for many memorable moments, from casual drinks after a mission to balls and even a wedding, but this was definitely one of the finest.

Spread evenly throughout the day, three dinners were served and I am glad I cooked enough for everybody, especially the French guests from the Patrouille de France who showed as the second party after practice and (as requested) brought the required appetite! Among the guests were my better half, Asp Grelling, Eagles Nest/Miramar's own Blues, CAPT. Vickster Kühn, LCDR. An Rainbow and LTJG. Matter Blueskind, 7th Fleet CV-63's skipper, CAPT. Sidney Pobieski, her XO, CDR. Helena Stenvaag, and her chief medical officer and Blue Angels intern, LCDR. Bambi Baxter, Virtual Coast Guard's XO, VADM. Eliza Belis, SLMC's Colonel Jade Kangas, our friends Ms. Valerie Patterson, CinSal Airport manager and Quinn Avery, dog reporter extraordinaire, and some of our French friends from the PAF SL, Col. Rhea Thor, Lcl. Paterne Lefavre, Col. Mara Klaber, Cdt. Myrisse Loon, Cne. T'Sar Kanto, Cne. Patoulou and Lt. Chipounne.

The success of this event that so many friends could not attend due to real life begs for more so we hope to welcome you next year for more turkey and puff's! The complete photo coverage will be in permanence on the right hand column of this weblog. Click the image link below to go to the photo coverage page.

Thank you all who came to Cougar's and made the day so special and a big hug to all who could not attend but were on our minds and hearts. Thank you for a very happy Thanksgiving!

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO

Daystar 2017 International Air Show

The Navy Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels will fly at the Daystar 2017 International Air Show with a Diamond four plane formation. Due to the air show format and number of attending teams, our performance will take 20 minutes in stead of the usual 50 minutes, the routine was adapted to fit this frame. This air show was organized by the Hawks Aerobatic Team and below is the organization's program. We wish you blue skies and hope you can join us at Daystar.

CAPT. Asra Kron

Angel 7

Welcome to Daystar 2017 International Airshow

You are invited as a guest to a once only show featuring some of the best 'aerobatic teams' in SL. 
Starts: 11:30 am SLT, Sunday, 5 November. 

The SLCS Cheerleaders Team will start the proceedings with one of their lively performances as the audience settles and pilots mentally rehearse their routines. The opening aerobatics act will be performed by none other than the SL United States Navy Blue Angels where they will showcase SL's finest pilots and aircraft. The Blue Angels will be closely followed by other well known and equally skilled teams such as the French PAF (La Patrouille Acrobatique de France SL) and the 'Phoenix Display Team'. Come and enjoy a fun action packed day and cheer on your favorite team!

SCHEDULE

1130  Arrival, preliminaries and SLCS performance
1200  USN Blue Angels
1230  EAR Esquadrilha da Fumaça (Smoke Squadron)
1300  PAF (La Patrouille Aerobatique de France SL)
1330  Hawks Aerobatic Team
1400  Phoenix Display Team
1430  USAF Thunderbirds
1500  SLCS concluding performance

In addition to this schedule SLCS will be keeping you entertained at intervals between each team's performance.

*IMPORTANT INFORMATION
To minimize lag on the show sim we ask that you please stay within the audience area. This is imperative so that the pilots may fly to the best of their abilities. We ask also that you remove any 'unnecessary' scripts from your avatar and to remain seated on the bleachers provided where possible. Thank you!

SLUR to the Audience location HERE!

Blue Angels award Challenge Coins

The five Challenge Coins with their respective certificates awaiting their recipients at Miramar.

On July 17, 2017, the Blue Angels awarded their Challenge Coins to the pilots of the SL Patrouille de France who flew with them on this year's Independence Day Air Show, at Agrippa (see here). The coins were awarded in a simple but meaningful ceremony at NAS Miramar, the "beach home" of the Blue Angels. Attending the ceremony, were also other Patrouille de France pilots and the Bull Rock Hornets crew that provided SAR support during the ID4 event at CinSal Airport.

SL Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France Blue Angels Challenge Coin awardees:

- Col. Rhea Thor
- Lcl. Paterne Lefavre
- Cdt. Mara Klaber
- Cdt. Myrisse Loon
- Cne. Patoulou Resident

At that occasion, Colonel Rhea Thor presented the Bl;ue Angels with evocative 2017 American Tour medals, the tour emulated by the SL Armée de l'Air Patrouille de France on their visit to Agrippa and the participation on the USA Independence Day celebrations. Each Blue Angel pilot that flew on ID4 got an individual medal and two larger medals were awarded for display at Miramar and Eagles Nest.

Following the ceremony, the SL Patrouille de France had a practice at Miramar with no less than seven aircraft. Blue Angels pilots CAPT. Asra kron and LCDR. Jenny Kaz took the back seat with Athos 1 and 2 and went along for the ride. NAS Miramar is at the PAFsl disposal for open air practices over the Aldabra Sea and hopefully we will see them in our skies often after the vacations season.

CAPT. Kron and LCDR. Kaz did the honors at Miramar.

From left, Lcl. Lefavre, Col. Thor and Cdt. Klaber front and center.

Coins awarded. The Blues salute the French pilots.

Seven Alphajets at Miramar for take off! A rare sight.

First PAFsl practice at Miramar. To be repeated!

The 2017 American Tour large medal on permanent display at NAFEN.

Note: Cdt. Myrisse Loon and Cne. Patoulou would receive their challenge coins later as they were not available to be at Miramar due to their real life commitments.

CAPT. Asra Kron
Angel 7

Sous le Ciel de Paris...

Sous le ciel de Paris
S'envole une chanson
Elle est née d'aujourd'hui
Dans le cœur d'un garçon
Sous le ciel de Paris
Marchent des amoureux
Leur bonheur se construit
Sur un air fait pour eux ...

Auteur · Jean Dréjac · Compositeur · Hubert Giraud

Bastille Day! July 14th, 2017.
The Patrouille de France (PAFsl) will fly in the sky of Paris 1900 for the French Republic national holiday. The Air Show will start at 13:00 hours SLT (1 pm) and the organization provides first class seats on an elevated platform outside the demo sim, a breath away from the Eiffel Tower.

SLUR for the Audience platform: Go HERE!

The French squadron will take off from the Champs Élysées in an unprecedented and spectacular event that will place the pilots over the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile and the Eiffel Tower, where the demonstration will take place. A unique Air Show by the oldest aerobatic team in SL, just as the real life squadron they so well represent is the world's oldest aerobatic squadron. Ten days after the 4th of July, here is the Quatorze Juillet! 

Update to be placed here after the Air Show! Stay tuned!
Update of July 14 below. As usual, click on the images to enlarge.

Above:
July 14, Champs-Elysées, Paris 1900, France in Second Life. The Patrouille de France makes a dream come true: fly over the most emblematic French city in Second Life, Paris 1900, on Bastille Day.
Photos (click to enlarge):
Large - The four Alphajets selected to fly over Paris align in Diamond formation for take off on one of the most amazing and exclusive runways in SL: the Champs-Elysées. For this mission, the chosen pilots were Lcl. Paterne Lefavre, Athos 1, Col. Rhea Thor, Athos 2, Cdt. Gwenblonde, Athos 3, and Lt. Sego Milo, Athos 4. Unlike real life Paris, these Champs-Elysées are condensed, as all Paris 1900 and 2000, and the take off run (and landing) were a STOL exercise.
Top right - Final verification on the ground. In reality, only the Leader starts on the Champs Elysées, the Interiors and the "Charognard" (Slot) are on the Place de l'Étoile, Athos 4 has its rear wheels against the plate of the Arc de Triomphe. Must make room!
Center and bottom right - Free warm up. Each pilot takes care of preflight individually to make up for the local conditions. Hot and static for take off. Brakes off! (bottom).

Above:
Paris 2000, bordering Paris 1900, had a platform created for Bastille Day, allowing for a great audience location. For security reasons (a.k.a. lag control!) the Paris 1900 regions were inaccessible to the general public during the air show. I did however chose the top of the Montparnasse Tower to best view the demo from Paris 2000 and try to get some photos from a vantage point. Alas, Paris 2000 was full and lag was a problem, but I did get a few shots and a great (up close and personal) view of the Alphas!
Photos (click to enlarge):
Large - C'est parti! The Diamond spear head comes to the top of a loop as Athos 4 recovers. The Panache Tricolor over Paris on July 14th. An amazing occasion. I am standing on the edge of the Montparnasse Tower, visible on the bottom right of the photo - a recurrent sight on these shots!
Top right - The Tour de Montparnasse, in a condensed Paris in SL overlooking the Place de l'Étoile and the Champs Elysées. The audience platform can be spotted to the right of the tower.
Center right - My vantage point! (Mes excuses, Damelessage Igaly! I know the audience was supposed to be on the platform, but the tower was just... standing there!)
Bottom left - The Diamond spear head zooms at very low altitude over the Arc de Triomphe. One of the many occasions I had to point the camera down!

Above:
Too bad I was struggling not to crash and to be honest I was focused on watching this unique event through my own eyes rather than through the camera lens but still managed a few decent shots. A wonderful air show and a day to remember, when the PAFsl took to the sky of Paris. More next year, please!
Photos (click to enlarge):
Large - Athos 1 and 2 break on a tight looping getting very close to the Montparnasse Tower and the region border (notice how close I am! - bottom right of the photo). The two pilots demonstrated again how well they go together. Always a pleasure to watch, and a great lead by Lcl. Lefavre.
Top right - The audience on the platform below could be heard from the top of Montparnasse Tower as the Patrouille de France made the sky of Paris more beautiful. Applauses and cheers at each loop, cuban eight and roll. The spear head seen in great style at yet another loop top.
Center and bottom right - One final tight looping before the four tricolor Alphajets headed for the tight landing I had the privilege to experience the day before (see here!). A memorable occasion was about to reach the end, but the party would go on after in Paris! Vive la France et Joyeux Quatorze!

Very nice video of the occasion, courtesy of Papillon (a.k.a. Carole Renard). Merci, Pap!!

Note: For my adventure the eve of Bastille Day, see "An American in Paris".

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO / NFDTXO / TFCOM

ID4 Air Show 2017 Photo Coverage

Please click on the image to go to the dedicated ID4 Air Show 2017 photo coverage page.
Cliquez sur l'image pour accéder à la page de couverture photo ID4 Air Show 2017.

This page will be in permanence on the right hand column of this weblog (look for the icon).