Yellow Sparrows

The Yellow Sparrows are the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s display team drawn from the Luftforsvarets flygeskole (RNoAF Flight Training School) at Bardufoss Air Station. They fly the Swedish-designed Saab Safari trainer in tight, elegant formation sequences that emphasize precision and smooth, crowd-friendly geometry.

Typical shows feature four to six aircraft in diamonds, echelons and line astern, with close spacing and crisp cross-overs. The team’s high-visibility yellow scheme and instructor-pilot crews reflect their core mission: inspire future aviators and showcase the RNoAF’s training excellence in Norway and abroad.

Role & origin. The Safari is a side-by-side, two-seat primary trainer derived from the MFI-9 lineage. The prototype flew in 1969, later evolving into the MFI-17 Supporter military variant with hardpoints for training use.

Layout & handling. A braced shoulder-wing with a slight forward sweep and expansive canopy gives excellent visibility. A Lycoming IO-360 series piston engine provides robust, reliable power—ideal for formation work and ab-initio training.

In Norwegian service. The RNoAF acquired 16 Safaris in the early 1980s for its Flight Training School. Today the type continues in the training and selection pipeline and as the Yellow Sparrows’ display mount based at Bardufoss.

The RNoAF introduced the Saab Safari to support ab-initio training and screening at the Flight Training School. With robust short-field manners and forgiving handling, the type has proven well-suited to Norway’s training needs and weather. The flying school is headquartered at Bardufoss Air Station, which also serves as home for the Yellow Sparrows display detachment.

Beyond training, the team represents the Air Force at airshows—recently including major international events—demonstrating Norwegian airmanship through tight, coordinated formation flying.

• “Yellow Sparrows” crews are instructor pilots from the RNoAF Flight Training School at Bardufoss.
• The Safari’s slightly forward-swept shoulder wing and big canopy aid visibility—handy in close formation.
• Norway procured around 16 Safaris for training; the type remains in the selection/training pipeline.
• The team commonly flies six-ship formations but tailors to venue and availability.
• They appeared at major shows such as RIAT 2024, bringing their bright yellow livery to UK crowds.