King Felipe tries out new plane which will be used by Spain’s ‘Eagle Patrol’ aerobatic team

On Sunday, thousands of people descended on the Mar Menor beaches to take in Spain’s most spectacular aerobatic display. The previous day, King Felipe himself had flown.

‘Aire 25′ featured the San Javier-based Patrulla Aguila(Eagle Patrol) team which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The moment was bittersweet, as they are now taking a short break from their schedule.

San Javier Air Academy is already preparing to train the new Pilatus PC-21 jets that will replace the old C-101 aircraft. 

On Saturday, King Felipe decided to personally inspect the Pilatus plane.

Between 1987 and 1988, he trained on the C-101 at San Javier.

In a flight suit and accompanied by Commander Guzman from the Academy, the head of state boarded the Pilatus for a 40-minute trip.

The Pilatus PC-21 is regarded as a state-of-the-art turboprop aircraft that combines power, agility, safety and manoeuvrability, with a range of 1,300 kilometres.

“This aircraft is really incredible, one of the best on the market for teaching, with a great capacity for adaptability to the needs of a pilot,” said academy instructor, Captain Miguel Belmonte.

For Sunday’s show, the Patrulla Aguila was augmented by foreign crews, including the Red Arrows of the UK, a world-famous team.

A bird struck a pilot’s aircraft in only one instance.