Patriots Jet Team

Patriots Jet Team
Patriots Jet Team logo
Active2003–present
Country United States
BranchCivilian
RoleAerobatic jet demonstration team
Size8 pilots, 25 volunteers
Garrison/HQByron Airport
Websitepatriotsjetteam.com
Aircraft flown
TrainerAero L-39 Albatros
TransportNorth American Sabreliner

The Patriots Jet Team is a civilian aerobatic formation team based in Byron, California. The team operates as a six-ship team, flying the Czech-built Aero L-39 Albatros. The team is owned by Randy Howell, a former United Airlines pilot, and is supported by a ground crew of more than 25 volunteers.

The team's performance lasts 26 minutes and includes formation flying, opposing passes, and solo maneuvers such as the team's signature tail slide maneuver. They perform in airshows across the western United States of America.

Overview

The Patriots Jet Team began when Randy Howell purchased the team's first L-39 in 1999. The team began flying demonstrations in 2003 with two L-39 aircraft. In the 2004 airshow season, a third L-39 was added. With the success of the 2005 season, the Patriots added a fourth jet for the 2006 season. In 2011, the Patriots Jet Team expanded to a six-ship aerobatic formation team.

The Patriots Jet Team's jets are modified for airshow use including upgraded avionics systems, removal of excess weight, the addition of a 30 gallon smoke oil system, and are painted glossy black with red accents.

The team's pilots are composed of civilian and military pilots who were formerly part of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and United States Navy Blue Angels.

Besides air shows, the Patriots Jet Team provides services such as event flyovers, upset prevention recovery training, and aerial filming with partner X-Brand using two of the team's jets. Additionally, the team helped produce Top Gun: Maverick where they trained the actors and performed aerial stunts.

Fleet

Aircraft Mission In fleet
Aero L-39 Albatros Airshows, Upset Prevention Recovery Training 8
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 Airshows 2
Rockwell Sabreliner 60 Airshows, Upset Prevention Recovery Training, Team Support 2

References

  1. ↑ "The Patriots Jet Team". 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Meet the Team". Patriots Jet Team. December 11, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  3. ↑ Bartholomew, Ben (August 2, 2011). "Soaring With The Patriots". The Wheatland Citizen. Retrieved September 17, 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  4. ↑ "Pursuit of perfection". www.aopa.org. May 24, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  5. ↑ Bulgaria, DualM studio-dualm dot com- web site design development, Veliko Turnovo. "Patriots Jet Team". https://aerobaticteams.net/. Retrieved October 21, 2026. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "Team". Patriots Jet Team. June 21, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
  7. ↑ "EVENT FLYOVERS". Patriots Jet Team. May 16, 2024. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Upset Recovery Training". Patriots Jet Team. January 24, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Cinejet: Aero L-39 Jet Camera Platform". XBRAND. Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  10. ↑ Publisher (July 20, 2022). "Byron-based Patriots Jet Team planes and pilots help make Top Gun: Maverick movie magic | Contra Costa Herald". Retrieved October 21, 2026.
  11. 1 2 "L-39 Albatros". Patriots Jet Team. September 11, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Upset Training Aircraft". Patriots Jet Team. March 27, 2017.