View source for Alap-Alap Formation

{{Short description|Aerobatic display team of Brunei Darussalam}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name     = Alap-Alap Formation<br>{{Nobold|(Kestrel Formation)}}
|native_name   =
|image         =
|image_size    = 
|alt           = 
|caption       = The Alap-Alap Display team in formation [[Pilatus PC-7]]
|dates         = 2011 to present
|country       = {{Flagicon|Brunei}} [[Brunei|Brunei Darussalam]]
|allegiance    = [[Sultan of Brunei]]
|branch        = {{Air force|Brunei}}<br>{{Lang|ms|Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei}}
|role          = [[Aerobatics|Aerobatic]] display team
|size          = 3 aircraft, 3 pilots
|command_structure=
|garrison_label=
|garrison      = [[Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba]]
|nickname      =
|patron        =
|motto         =
|colours_label = [[Aircraft livery]]
|colours       = White, blue, red, yellow<br>{{Color box|#FFFFFF}}{{Color box|#0000FF}}{{Color box|#FF0000}}{{Color box|#FFFF00}}
|equipment_label= Aircraft displayed
|equipment     = 3x [[Pilatus PC-7|Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II]]
|current_commander=
}}
[[File:Sultan of Brunei visits BRIDEX 2013 Static Display (131203-F-HL283-242).webp|thumb|[[Brunei Darussalam International Defence Exhibition#BRIDEX 2013|BRIDEX 2013]] static display, including one of the [[Pilatus PC-7|Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II]] (TUDB-304) as used by the Alap-Alap Formation.|alt=]]
The '''Alap-Alap Formation''' (Kestrel Formation) is the official [[Aerobatics|aerobatic]] display team of [[Brunei|Brunei Darussalam]], operated by the [[Royal Brunei Air Force]] (RBAirF; {{Lang-ms|Tentera Udara Diraja Brunei}} – TUDB).  The Alap-Alap Formation display team was formed on {{Start date and age|2011|02|07|df=y}}.<ref name=AerobaticTeams.net>{{Cite web|url=https://aerobaticteams.net/en/teams/i22/Alap-Alap-Formation.html|title=Alap-Alap Formation|website=AerobaticTeams.net|publisher=Aerobatic Display Teams|date=n.d.|access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref><ref name=BRIDEX-2013>{{Cite web|author=SchwarzeMitternacht|date=20 March 2014|url=https://kupitok.wordpress.com/2014/03/20/bridex-2013-static-aircraft-display-royal-brunei-air-force-aircraft/|title=BRIDEX 2013 static aircraft display: Royal Brunei Air Force aircraft|website=Kupitok.Wordpress.com|location=[[Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba]], Brunei Darussalam|publisher=Parut Kami Bulat... Ngapa Kian?|access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref>

==Aircraft==
The Alap-Alap Formation display team uses three of the four RBAirF / TUDB [[Pilatus PC-7|Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II]] turboprop aircraft purchased from Switzerland in [[1997 in aviation|1997]], a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft powered by a {{Convert|522|kW|shp|abbr=off|lk=on}} [[Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6|PT-6A-25C]] turboprop engine driving a four-blade variable-pitch [[propeller]].  All four PC-7 aircraft of the RBAirF are liveried in a white, blue, red, and yellow colour-scheme.  The three aircraft used by the Alap-Alap Formation display team ([[Aircraft registration|registration numbers]]: TUDB-302, TUDB-303, and TUDB-304) are fitted with two under-wing smoke pods, mounted on external hard-points, which generate white smoke during displays.<ref name=AerobaticTeams.net/><ref name=BRIDEX-2013/><ref>{{Cite AV media|people=John Mounce (photographer)|date=9 July 2011|url=https://www.airhistory.net/photo/608974/TUDB302|title=Photo of TUDB-302, TUDB-303, and TUDB-304 in formation flight with smoke trailing|website=AirHistory.net|type=photo|location=[[Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba]], Brunei Darussalam|access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref>

==Operation==
Currently the [[Royal Brunei Air Force]] have a total of four PC-7 Mk.II aircraft.  The aircraft are under the management of No 73 Squadron TUDB (originally known as 63 Squadron ATUDB), a [[Squadron (aviation)|flying squadron]] of [[Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba#No. 7 Wing RBAirF – (Training School)|No. 7 Wing RBAirF]], part of the Flying Training School (FTS) of the training [[Wing (military unit)|wing]] located at the [[Royal Brunei Air Force Base, Rimba]].<ref name=AerobaticTeams.net/>

==Pilots==
Identified by their respective 'Eagle' [[call sign]]s, the display team consists of three [[:Category:Aerobatic pilots|pilots]].  One pilot is local, from the [[Royal Brunei Air Force]], and two remaining pilots are from the British [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF), one on loan from the RAF and the other directly contracted to the RBAF.<ref name=AerobaticTeams.net/>  All are [[Qualified Flying Instructor]] (QFI) pilots, whilst its team leader achieved the Formation Aerobatic Leader qualification from the [[Empire Test Pilots' School]] (ETPS) in the UK.<ref name=Zulhusmi>{{Cite web|url=https://mindef.gov.bn/airforce/SitePages/Commanding%20Officer%20No.7%20Wing.aspx|title=Commanding Officer No. 7 Wing - Lieutenant Colonel (U) Pg Mohd Zulhusmi Bin Pg Mohd Roslan|website=MinDef.gov.bn|publisher=Defence Information Technology Unit, [[Ministry of Defence (Brunei)|Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam]]|access-date=10 December 2023}}</ref>
*'''Eagle One''': Capt (LS) Richard Frick (TUDB / RAF)
*'''Eagle Two''': [[Lieutenant Colonel]] (U) Pg Mohd Zulhusmi Bin Pg Mohd Roslan (TUDB)<ref name=Zulhusmi/>
*'''Eagle Three''': Richard Homer (RAF)

==Displays==
Alap-Alap Formation have displayed during the [[Royal Brunei Armed Forces]] (RBAF) 50th Anniversary, and continue frequent training.  They are the first team in [[Brunei]] to carry out formation aerobatics at low level altitudes of {{Convert|500|ft|abbr=off}}.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.airliners.net/photo/Brunei-Air-Force/Pilatus-PC-7-Mk2/77782/L Pilatus PC-7 Mk2 - Brunei - Air Force - Aviation Photo #0077782] — photo of a Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II of the RBAirF (c/n: 602, registration: ATUDB 302), the type used by Alap-Alap Formation, at Airliners.net, April 2000

{{Military of Brunei}}
{{Modern aerobatic teams}}
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{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Aerobatic teams]]
[[Category:Aviation in Brunei]]
[[Category:2011 establishments in Brunei]]