| Black Eagles Republic of Korea Air Force Aerobatic Team |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1967~1978 1994~2007 2009~present |
| Country | Republic of Korea |
| Branch | Republic of Korea Air Force |
| Role | Aerobatic Display Team |
| Size | 8 ship |
| Garrison/HQ | Korea |
| Motto | 팀워크 (EN : Team Work) |
| Colors | Black, Yellow, White |
| Insignia | |
| The Black Eagles unit logo | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | 1994 ~ 2007 : A-37B |
| Trainer | 2009 ~ : T-50B Golden Eagle |
The Black Eagles, officially known as the Republic of Korea Air Force Aerobatic Team(the 239th squadron), is the flight display team of the Republic of Korea Air Force base at 8th FW.
The Republic of Korea Air Force Aerobatic Team was operated in various occasions of national ceremonies and this has been fully encouraged and concerned by the nation. The permanent team was initially formed on December 12, 1994 and flew six Cessna A-37B Dragonfly airplanes. The team was disbanded temporarily after the 2007 Seoul Air Show and has been reformed upon the arrival of their new T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft which were delivered in 2010.[1]
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The Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles aerobatic team has operated in various occasions of national ceremonies and at international air shows.
The original display team was formed on October 1, 1953 and operated four F-51 Mustangs. In October, 1956 a new display team "T-33A Show Flight Team" was formed.
On October 1, 1959 a new display team was formed. This team was called the "Blue Sabre" and they flew four F-86 Sabre jet airplanes. This team was disbanded in 1966.
In 1967, a new display team "Black Eagles" was formed. It operated between 1966 through 1978 and flew seven Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter airplanes.
1966~1969 used F-5A. 1970~1972 is interrupted the flight. 1973~1978 used RF-5A. In 1978, the team disorganized due to defense preparedness enhancement.
The full-time aerobatic team, Black Eagles, was re-established as full-time aerobatic team on December 12, 1994 and flew six Cessna A-37B Dragonfly airplanes. The Black Eagles team was disbanded after the 2007 ADEX 2007 and has been reformed upon the arrival of their new T-50 Golden Eagle aircraft which were scheduled to be delivered in 2010.
However, the Black Eagles reformed ahead of schedule in time to fly over Seoul on September 23, 2009 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Republic of Korea Air Force. [2]
| Aircraft | Origin | In Service * | Service ** | reference column |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North American Aviation F-51 Mustang | 4 | 1953—1954 | aircraft F-51D. Performed once a year on October 1 | |
| T-33 Lockeed | 4 | 1956—1959 | aircraft T-33A. Performed once a year on October 1 | |
| North American Aviation F-86 Sabre | 4 | 1959—1966 | aircraft F-86F. Performed once a year on October 1 | |
| Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter | 7 | 1966—1978 | aircraft F-5A/RF-5A. (One aircraft was a spare). 7+(1). | |
| Cessna A-37B Dragonfly | 6 | 1994—2007 | aircraft A-37B. Reformed on December 12, 1994
(Two aircraft are spares.) 6+(2). |
|
| KAI T-50B Golden Eagle | 8 | 2009—present | Unit has been reformed upon delivery of their new aircraft T-50B.
(Two aircraft are spares.) 8+(2). |
* Number of aircraft Fly by the Black Eagles aerobatic team.
** Aircraft service with the Black Eagles aerobatic team.
The T-50B is the only supersonic advanced trainer jet equipped with both high-tech electronic devices and state of the art advanced avionics systems.
With the successful introduction of T-50 series(T-50, T-50B, TA-50, FA-50), the Republic of Korea has become the 12th nation in the world to produce supersonic aircraft using their own technology.
Black Eagles's T-50B is painted in yellow, white and black with eagle soars, and sleek curves showing the dynamics of eagles, giving a strong and aggressive feeling.
With pin-cameras installed at the cockpit and at the bottom of the aircraft, maneuver analysis and visual materials have become easier to be obtained.
T-50B aircraft also has visible lights on both sides of each wing tip which helps the pilots perform maneuvers and encourages audiences to enjoy the show.
The T-50B is equipped with an internal smoke generation system which creates a thick smoke trail. The T-50 is very fast, very slow enough and has best maneuverable characteristic with Fly-by-wire system(it is ideal for aerobatics jet).
| Name | Width | Length | Height | Weight | Speed | Thrust | Load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-50(Trainer) Golden Eagle | 31.0 ft(9.16m) | 43.1 ft(13.13m) | 16.2 ft(4.9m) | 14,200 lbs(6,441 kg) | Mach 1.5 | 17,700 lbs(8,030 kg) | -3/+8g |
The thick smoke trails of Black Eagles aerobatic team are made by releasing diesel and oil into the exhaust nozzle; this mixture immediately oxidizes, leaving a white smoke trail. There are two smoke tanks in the aircraft, each designed to carry about 60 gallon of smoke oil. The Smoke system can control the quantity of oil released, so each aircraft can trail smoke for 7~20 minutes.
Black Eagles is showing various flight demonstrations, organized teamwork, and sophisticated flight skills. The display is composed of about 30 aerobatic maneuver.The team has a total of eight aircraft in formation. Formations with 4~8 aircraft usually show grandeur and sophistication at the same time. 1~4 ship maneuver show thrills and excitement. During an aerobatics display, pilots experience forces up to 4~5g, and when performing the aerobatic maneuver 'Max Turn and Loop', forces up to 8g(structural limit of the aircraft).
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