3AT3 Formation Flying Team

The 3AT3 Formation Flying Team is a Polish civilian display team best known for precision formation routines flown on the Aero AT-3. The pilots — entrepreneurs and instructors outside the airshow circuit — showcase tight, smooth station-keeping and formation changes that highlight the AT-3’s responsive handling and low running costs.

Displays are usually a three-ship (with occasional four-ship appearances), featuring formation take-offs, arrow and echelon figures, gentle opposition elements and smoke-accented passes designed for crowd-line visibility.

Type & role. Two-seat, low-wing Very Light Aircraft (CS-VLA) designed by Tomasz Antoniewski and produced in Poland. Used widely for ab-initio training, touring and club flying.

Construction & systems. All-metal airframe with fixed tricycle undercarriage and dual controls — ideal for formation training and consistent handling between aircraft.

Powerplant. Rotax 912 ULS (100 hp) driving a fixed-pitch/constant-speed prop (variant-dependent). Typical cruise around ≈108 kt with fuel burn in the high-teens L/h, making it economical for multi-ship practice and display sorties.

Certification. European VLA certification under EASA CS-VLA, with early type approval achieved in the late 1990s; numerous air clubs across Europe operate the type.

The 3AT3 concept was launched in 2009 by pilots Jakub Kubicki (lead) and Piotr Krasiński (left wing). Their early show season included Poland’s major events, with the team name referencing their original three AT-3 formation.

Over subsequent seasons the group matured its routine, occasionally expanding to a four-ship for larger shows. The team is closely associated with Mielec — home to significant Polish aircraft manufacturing — and remains a popular act across Polish airshows with guest appearances farther afield.

• The team name literally means “three AT-3s” — their signature formation when they debuted.
• Founders Jakub Kubicki and Piotr Krasiński shaped the routine around the AT-3’s economical operating costs and crisp handling.
• Mielec is a historical Polish aviation center; the AT-3 has deep Polish roots and is widely used by European flying clubs.
• The Rotax 912 ULS gives smooth throttle response that’s friendly for close-in formation joins and break-to-land sequences.
• The AT-3’s all-metal construction and fixed gear help keep maintenance predictable for a multi-aircraft display team.