Cpt David "Pepe" Pereira
Thank you for your time. Firstly please introduce yourself to us, and tell us about your career in the Swiss Air Force.
Thank you for the opportunity to give this interview. My name is David Pereira, Nickname “Pepe”. I was graduated as a military pilot end of 2012 after six years of training in the pilot school of the Swiss Air Force. Thereafter I started my transition to the F/A-18 Hornet, which lasted almost a year. Since then, I fly the Hornet for the Fighter Squadron 18 in Payerne in western Switzerland. During the last years, I followed various training to finally become Tactical Division Leader. Furthermore, I did work as an instructor in the pilot school for 18 months and until today I also act as an instructor on F/A-18.
When have you joined the Patrouille Suisse? Where have you performed your first public display and how did you feel after?
I joined the Patrouille Suisse in 2017 as a reserve pilot. The first flying season was 2018. Short after the first training course, we flew my first display in Arbon at Lake Constance. It was a beautiful day, and I was very happy to show the public what we had trained for during the three-week training course.
How do you become the Patrouille Suisse pilot? What does the selection process look like and what are the requirements?
When a pilot leaves the team, the remaining members start looking for his replacement straight away. You cannot apply for a spot on the team – you must be nominated. Only experienced professional military pilots of a certain age group who have flown F/A-18 for the Air Force are eligible. A democratic vote decides who can join Patrouille Suisse. Only when the entire crew is convinced the candidate is a good fit are they invited to join the squadron.
Which manoeuvre from your 2022 display sequence is the most challenging to fly and why?
As we are still in the development process for this year’s display programme, I cannot answer this yet. One challenging manoeuvre is always the “Shadow”. Three planes fly behind the leader so that they are invisible to the audience. On the order of the commander on the ground, we quickly open the formation to create an effective impression. The geometry in front of the audience always makes the manoeuvre challenging.
If one day you could choose any airshow to display at, which one would it be and why?
I would love to perform at the Royal International Air Tattoo. I only had the chance to attend the airshow non-flying in 2017 during my year as a reserve pilot. To fly at this impressive big airshow must be overwhelming.
Looking at your calendar for this year there is a big gap in July with no airshows for the entire month? Why is that?
As we only fly part-time in the Patrouille Suisse, all the team members have their usual job as professional military pilots on F/A-18 or in the Staff of the Swiss Air Force. That is why usually there is a break during the season to permit to fulfil other duties.
Could you tell us a little bit about the history and the future of Patrouille Suisse? What will happen with the team when the F-5 is retired?
The Patrouille Suisse was founded on 22 August 1964. At that time, the Air Force Surveillance Wing was tasked by the Federal Military Department with training a double patrol, consisting of four of their aircraft, for display purposes. These initial formations flew the British Hawker Hunter Mk 58 fighter. In 1965, the team had their first scheduled season with four air shows. In 1970, another aircraft was added to the team. In 1995, the Patrouille Suisse transferred to the faster and more agile American F-5E Tiger, which brought new flight capabilities after 30 years. Due to the global pandemic of the new Coronavirus, the entire 2020 season was cancelled for the first time in the history of the Patrouille Suisse. As long as the F-5 is still flying for the Swiss Air Force, the team will continue to perform for the public in Switzerland and abroad. What will happen to the team after the F-5 is retired has not yet been decided.
Could you briefly talk us through your display sequence? At what speeds and altitudes do you fly?
In contrast to most display teams, the Patrouille Suisse flies with F-5 Tiger fighter jets that are far faster than training aircraft, requiring a large radius when flying curves and thus much more space. The good weather programme may be flown with a cloud base at about 3,000 m, the medium weather programme requires about 1,500 m and the bad weather programme requires minimum weather conditions (5 km minimum visibility and a cloud base of 1,000ft. (300m)) Example looping: The initial speed is about 850km/h, the force 4 to 5g and the diameter about 3,000 m. Example barrel roll: The initial speed is about 700km/h, the force is 3 to 4g and the diameter is about 1,500 m.
What inspired you to join the Swiss Air Force and what advice would you have for someone who perhaps got inspired by the Patrouille Suisse and wants to join the Air Force?
Already as a child, I was enthusiastic about flying and I told my father's boss that I wanted to become a pilot one day. In Switzerland, we have the "sphair" programme, which finds young Swiss upcoming pilots. As I completed the programme, my enthusiasm for the job as a pilot grew more and more and I applied to the Swiss Air Force. I recommend anyone interested to check out www.sphair.ch and try to make the dream come true!
Could you tell us a bit about the F-5 Tiger the team is using?
Since the F-5 Tiger is already of considerable age - it was introduced in Switzerland in 1978 - everything still works very conventionally. This is noticeable in the very direct control inputs. The engines also react very crisply, although they are jet engines. Despite its age, we can fly the F-5 in the clouds in bad weather without any problems and the aircraft can reach a maximum speed of 1700 km/h thanks to the powerful engines. In addition, the airframe is certified for +7.3 and -3.0 G.
If you had a chance to fly any aircraft you like what would it be and why?
The Swiss government decided to buy the F-35 as a replacement for the F/A-18. I am very much looking forward to flying this capable jet.
Do you have any favourite memories from your time as the Patrouille Suisse pilot?
My first airshow abroad, it was in 2018 at the Danish Air Show in Aalborg. We had to perform our display at minimum weather conditions which was very impressive short after joining the team.
Any demo team from Europe you like?
I am always very fascinated by the precise and spectacular show of the Red Arrows.
What airshow this year are you looking forward to the most?
We are scheduled to fly at the Finland annual main airshow in Pori. I am very much looking forward to the fascinating Finnish landscape.
Thank you very much for your time! Any final words to our readers and the fans of Patrouille Suisse?
We always love to perform our shows for the audience and hope to inspire young people in Switzerland and abroad with our performance. We hope to fly many more demonstrations for our fans!
Make sure to follow the team on social media for up to date information and some amazing in cockpit videos.
Instagram: @safpatrouillesuisse
Facebook: @safpatrouillesuisse
Twitter: @patrsuisse
TikTok: @safpatrouillesuisse
