The Sanicole Airshow, one of the most eagerly awaited and largest airshows in Europe, has recently announced that the SoloTurk, the impressive F-16 solo display of the Turkish Air Force, will be making a grand return to the event in 2024. The announcement has sparked excitement among aviation enthusiasts and fans of the airshow who eagerly anticipate the spectacular display that SoloTurk is known for.

SOLOTÜRK is a single-aircraft aerobatic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Force, which consists of two highly skilled and experienced pilots and a specially painted F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The team was initially planned in November 2009 with a rigorous pilot training process that was successfully completed in August 2010, with three pilots initially selected.

The team performed its first demonstration flight within the military in September 2010 and made its first public appearance on April 15, 2011. Since then, SoloTürk has participated in many national and international airshows, impressing audiences with its unique and breathtaking manoeuvres that are specially designed for the team. The team's performances are a testament to the skills, precision, and dedication of the Turkish Air Force pilots, who are among the best in the world.

This year's airshow promises to be even more exciting with the return of SoloTurk on the 50th anniversary of the F-16. Fans can expect to see gravity-defying aerial manoeuvres, high-speed runs, and stunning displays of precision flying that are sure to leave them breathless. The SoloTurk display is a must-see event for anyone who loves aviation, and the Sanicole Airshow is the perfect place to experience this exhilarating display.

If you're an aviation enthusiast, you won't want to miss the SoloTürk team's performance at the Sanicole International Airshow. The team is known for their impressive displays, which showcase the F-16's capabilities in a thrilling way. The airshow will take place on September 21 and 22, 2024, and is sure to be a highlight of the aviation calendar.

If you're interested in attending the event, you can visit sanicole.com to learn more and purchase tickets.

SoloTurk

The Soloturk display is a spectacular showcase of aerial manoeuvres performed by the F-16 Solo Display team. What sets this team apart from others is the unique set of manoeuvres that they perform, such as the dolphin pass and the Soloturk roll. The dolphin pass is a jaw-dropping manoeuvre that demonstrates the exceptional nose authority of the aircraft's sophisticated fly-by-wire system. During this manoeuvre, the aircraft is flown at low altitude and speed, and the pilot pulls the aircraft up and down along the crowd line, mimicking the movements of a dolphin in the water.

The Soloturk roll is another impressive manoeuvre that showcases the aircraft's agility and handling characteristics. This manoeuvre involves a series of fast barrel rolls flown at high angles of attack, where the aircraft is flown at a very steep angle to create a rolling motion. The pilot then expertly controls the aircraft's roll rate, speed, and altitude to create a mesmerizing display of precision and control.

In addition to these impressive manoeuvres, the display also includes the use of infrared decoy flares, which add an extra layer of excitement to the already thrilling display.

The Soloturk display is piloted by two highly skilled pilots, Major Murat Bakici and Major Yasin Dikkule, who use a specially painted Block 40 F-16C from 132 Filo (Squadron) stationed at the 3rd Main Jet Base in Konya. The aircraft is painted in a striking gloss black with golden highlights and features a crescent and star symbolizing the loyalty and value attributed by the Turkish Air Force to the Turkish nation and flag. The brilliant eagle represents the determination and freedom innate in aviators’ souls, while the black and grey diagonal lines reaching to the nose of the aircraft describe the characteristics of aviation, such as fast-thinking/acting, constant progress, and limitless ambition. Finally, the silver star indicates Turkey's ambition to be the star of the 21st century.

Turkish F-16s

The Turkish Air Force has emerged as one of the world's foremost operators of the F-16 fighter jet, with only the US and Israel having more of these aircraft in their arsenal. The majority of the around 240 F-16Cs and F-16Ds flown by the Turkish Air Force have been locally produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries, a leading aerospace and defence company in Turkey. The Turkish Air Force has been relying on these aircraft for its operations since their induction into service back in 1987.

The F-16 has played a pivotal role in many of the Turkish Air Force's missions. It has been used for patrolling Turkish airspace and safeguarding the country's borders, as well as conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions to gather intelligence on potential threats. The F-16 has also been deployed in NATO-led operations in Afghanistan and the Balkans, where it has demonstrated its effectiveness in performing a variety of missions, including close air support, air interdiction, and suppression of enemy air defences.

The F-16's success as a multirole fighter jet can be attributed to its exceptional design and capabilities. It is renowned for its versatility, speed, and manoeuvrability, making it an ideal choice for a wide range of missions. Its advanced avionics and weapons systems also make it a formidable adversary in air-to-air combat scenarios, while its precision-guided munitions allow it to deliver pinpoint strikes on ground targets. Overall, the F-16 has proven to be a reliable workhorse for the Turkish Air Force, delivering outstanding performance and mission success.

F-16 Fighting Falcon

The F-16, also known as the Fighting Falcon, is a single-engine, supersonic multirole fighter aircraft that was developed by General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin, for the United States Air Force. It first entered service in 1978 and has since been used in various military operations around the world, including the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and the War in Afghanistan.

The F-16 is a highly manoeuvrable aircraft with a top speed of over Mach 2. It has a combat radius of over 500 miles and can carry up to 17,000 pounds of ordnance, including a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, bombs, and rockets.

The F-16 is equipped with advanced avionics and weapons systems, including a sophisticated radar, a helmet-mounted display, and a digital flight control system. Its advanced avionics allow the pilot to operate in all weather conditions and to engage multiple targets simultaneously. The F-16 is also equipped with a 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon that can fire up to 6,000 rounds per minute.

The F-16 has been exported to many countries, including Israel, Turkey, South Korea, and Singapore, and is widely regarded as one of the most successful fighter aircraft designs in history. Its versatility, reliability, and combat effectiveness have made it a favourite among pilots and air forces worldwide and have since been used in various military operations around the world. The F-16 is highly manoeuvrable and has a top speed of over Mach 2. It is equipped with advanced avionics and weapons systems, including radar-guided missiles and a 20mm cannon. The F-16 has been exported to many countries and is widely regarded as one of the most successful fighter aircraft designs in history.