French Air Force Aerobatic Team (EVAA)

The complete story
 
It was on September 21 1913 in Buc, close to Versailles that Adolphe PEGOUD, then a pilot at Blériot carried out in public the first loop in the history of aviation. With this loop, to use more modern terminology, an adventure commenced which would illustrate the great names in the history of aviation. Aerobatics was born.

                

At the time, aerobatics would unceasingly improve thanks to the inventive spirit and the audacity of the pilots such as Fontval, Doret, Détroyat to only quote the most famous.

However at the end of the second world war French aerobatics remained asleep and its exploits are not comparable any more with those of the Thirties. It was necessary to wait until the fifties so that pilots equipped with the STAMPE recommenced training. They took part in some competitions, "Locked Trophy" in the United Kingdom and the 1954 Aerobatic Championships of France. In 1960 the first aerobatic championship of the world was organized in Bratislava (Czechoslavakia). Since then, this competition is held every two years and it bears the name of " ARESTI " in reference to the Spanish champion become famous thanks to his "AEROCRYPTOGRAPHIE ". This pilot's aerobatics bible is today a repertory of 30000 figures, all different, classified by family with a reference and a coefficient of difficulty allotted to each one of them.

                  

Between 1962 and 1964 the ALAT (Light Aviation of the Army) developed its own aerobatics team to take part in individual competitions and in formation. Thus the Air Force seemed largely absent from the world of aerobatics.

In 1967, General Maurin Chef of the Air Force decided to rectify this situation by creating the Air Force Aerobatics Team (EVAA). This new unit was to have the role of representing France and the Air Force at air shows and in international competitions.

March 1, 1968, the effective and official installation of the EVAA took place at the Air Force base of Salon de Provence. Thus it joined the "Patrouille de France" to constitute the Presentation Teams of the French Air Force (EPAA). This prestigious unit is attached directly to the flying school "Ecole de l'Air", high place of aviation which for decades has formed generations of pilot officers and mechanics.		  
                   

The EVAA were first equipped with 2 STAMPEs then it evolved on to N3202 and ZLIN 526. In 1970, these aircraft were replaced by more modern planes, the CAP 10 and the CAP 20. The CAP 10 is a two-seater of 540 Kilos with a 180 HP lycoming injection engine. This aircraft was used for training and demonstrations while the CAP 20 single-seater, whose engine reaches 260 HP, was reserved for competitions. These two aircraft took part in the successes of the EVAA throughout almost 20 years.

In 1984 the Air Force asks the CAP company to design a plane fulfilling the requirements of modern competitions. The CAP 230, then the CAP 231, were thus born. This true formula 1 of the air always equips the EVAA. (the Cap 231 n°O2, Champion of the world in 1990 and the Cap 231 n°21).

               

In September 1999, the EVAA was equipped with its first CAP 232 (n°18), followed by a second in December (n°22). Waited for since1995, this aircraft with a carbon wing which gives a phenomenal roll rate allowed the EVAA to return to the international level of competition.

During the 2001 season Aerobatics Team of the Air Force had 3 pilots selected in the french team on Cap 232 to take part in the World Championships at the time of the " World Air Games " in Spain at Burgos. These pilots gained 3 bronze medals, 2 individual silver medals and team silver medal. This same year, the FAI qualified the Cap 231 in the advanced category. The EVAA introduced a pilot who was selected for the French team after winning the Doret Cup. In the Advanced European championships, this pilot finished 6th and obtained the team gold medal.

During all these years, the Aerobatics Team never failed in the goals fixed by the Air Force. In fact due to the competence and the availability of its mechanics, the rigor and the tenacity of its pilots, this unit has forged a reputation in aerobatics trials and an eloquent prize list. The experience gained in competition is shown in a spectacular way throughout the year at the time of the air shows, proving at the same time, the quality of our materials and the knowledge of the Air Force personnel.