44th International Sanicole Airshow
The International Sanicole Airshow weekend kicks off with the Sunset Airshow, now in its 11th iteration. While very much part of the main airshow weekend, the Sunset Airshow has its own unique ambience with perhaps a more artistic flourish, particularly as the light fades to darkness. This year, like the main airshow the Sunset event paid tribute to the 80th Anniversary of Belgian liberation, the 50th Anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon and 60 Years of the Patrouille Suisse.
Paul Johnson/Flightline UK reports. All photography by the author
Spectators of the Sanicole Sunset Airshow have survived it all – from blistering sunshine right through to those unbelievable thunder showers in 2022. In 2024 however, despite being much later in September than usual, the audience were treated to clear skies and warm, still conditions. Perhaps it was all a little too perfect, but I’ll get to that later.
As for the main airshow, the organisers had not had the easiest to build-ups to the event with several last-minute changes to the flying content. However, it has to be said that for displays that took place ahead of twilight, 2024 saw one of the strongest line-ups despite there being no Belgian Air Force aircraft involved.
Proceedings got underway with some military parachuting displays. Opening the display were the Black Devils, The team are part of the Belgian Army Parachute Training Centre based Schaffen which trains Belgian special forces. Three members jumped each carrying a flag. They were followed by the first of the transatlantic stars of the evening, the Canadian Armed Forces’ Skyhawks Parachute Display Team. Unlike many other military parachute display teams, the Skyhawks are drawn from all three Canadian Armed Services – Army, Air Force and Navy. Their display consists of three different jumped with each section performing different formations and some quite original and impressive canopy relative work (CRW.)
The first aircraft action of the evening saw one of the outright stars of the weekend, the Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Avro Lancaster B1 PA474. We in the UK are perhaps more than guilty of being blasé about the BBMF and its fleet of historic aircraft. However, on the continent the sight and sound of the Lancaster is a rare thing and something which means so much to almost every community in the region. While travelling around the local area to Sanicole Aeroclub, you’ll often see a Sherman or other mark of tank as a memorial to those that liberated the country. The sacrifice of all those that fought to liberation still resonates in the region and it was clear to see just how much the Lancaster appearance meant to many watching on. Equally special was the appearance by Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Sally-B’ which flew slightly later in the programme. The sight of the two most iconic allied bombers in Belgian skies was an absolute highlight of Liberations 80th commemorations at Sanicole, particularly flying in the golden sunset skies.
A further interlude from military flying came in the form of the barnstorming aerobatic routine from Rich Goodwin In his Pitts S-2SE Special G-JPIT – the Jet Pitts. Though Rich and G-JPIT have been to Sanicole before, this was the first time he had been able to demonstrate the aircraft fitted with its twin jet turbines and its outstanding performance.
Modern military solo displays dominated the flying programme up until twilight. The Finnish Air Force opened the jet routines with a potent demonstration of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet. The display featured numerous sharp-pulls and plenty of flares. Another very dynamic routine came from the French Air and Space Force’s Dassault Rafale C solo wearing its very patriotic display scheme celebrating the air arm’s 90th Anniversary. Adding to the very high-quality line-up were the Slovenian Air Force who were making their Belgian debut in 2024 with the always excellent aerobatic routine from their Pilatus PC-9M Hudournik.
But perhaps the star of the evening, if not the entire weekend, was the stunning display by the Swedish Air Force’s Sikorsky Hkp-16 (UH-60M) Blackhawk. The Blackhawk is a type rarely seen in flying displays in any form, but a full-on solo display was a unique highlight for the show. The Swedish crew did not disappoint with a tight display featuring some really dramatic flying low across the open countryside, eye-catching pirouettes and high-speed reverse flying. Topping off their performance were two spectacular flare dumps – truly a display that will live long in the memory.
The 50th Anniversary of the General Dynamics F-16 was another major theme of Sanicole 2024 and the sunset show saw two very different displays from the legendary fighter. Sanicole saw the only European appearance this year by the United States Air Force’s F-16C ‘Viper Demo Team’ led by pilot Captain Taylor “FEMA” Hiester. Sadly, the current constraints of USAF airshow participation meant the Shaw Air Force Base team were unable to bring their YF-16 tribute jet to Sanicole and instead borrowed a modern Black 50 aircraft from the 52nd Fighter Wing based at Spangdahlem in Germany. That turned out to be one painted in the modern ‘Have Glass’ scheme which is latest to worn by F-16s. The USAF display is very different to the European F-16 solos demonstrating more of the speed and raw power of the F-16 over its slow speed agility.
With no Belgian F-16 display year, The Royal Danish Air Force F-16AM Fighting Falcon display team took the final jet solo slot traditionally held by the home team. Though the special scheme jet was unavailable, Captain Troels “TEO” Vang put on a very punchy display in the darkening skies with the reheat flame streaking from the rear of the jet and liberally spitting flares across the sky.
2024 also marked the 60th anniversary of the Swiss Air Force’s national jet display team, the Patrouille Suisse. They have long been a favourite at the Sanicole Airshow and whenever they are due to appear often feature in the show’s publicity posters dotted around the country. For their anniversary display, the team added some extra panache to their display. Firstly, they added a surprise crowd rear arrival which with six Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs was quite the opening gambit. With clear skies, the team were able to perform their full routine during which they used plenty of flares through-out the display – not just the ‘finale grande.’ Just magical stuff.
As in previous editions of the Sunset Airshow, once the sun had dipped below the horizon the stage was left to some special displays that would take full advantage of the darker skies. This sadly was the one element of the show that changed the most with three of the original acts (Polish C-130 Flare drop, Luca Bauman and the French Alternative Duo) booked all dropping out for various reasons over the weeks prior to the event.
The one original act that did remain were the Polish Flying Dragons paramotor team which opened the pyro displays. For various reasons, their early and lighter slot did them a disservice as their display was something truly special with an incredible amount of pyro mounted to their feet and some nice lightshow touches from the LEDs mounted to the frames of their motor packs. Their display was close in to the crowd and beautifully choreographed too plus they are a team that really understands interacting with the crowd. Once on the ground they added an extra flourish blasting smoke into the air with some added lighting effects before running down the entire crowdline giving the crowd high-fives. In hindsight, they should have been the finale!
Following on from the Flying Dragons were three UK based light aircraft acts, all planning to release pyrotechnics. First to display was Bob Grimstead with his attractive Fournier RF4D ‘Redhawk.’ It was something of a milestone weekend for Bob as it was 40 years since he first displayed at Sanicole with the Tiger Club. Bob’s display shows off the excellent aerobatic qualities of Rene Fournier’s masterpiece which has quite the following worldwide. In fact, Sanicole Aeroclub often hosts gatherings to celebrate the Fournier family of motor-gliders.
Unfortunately, after Bob’s display it was noticed there was smoke rising from various parts of the heathland under the display box and various firefighting vehicles were scrambled to damp down those areas. The response also caused a short hiatus before the two Vans RV4s of the Firebirds appeared and displayed without their pyrotechnics. You have to feel sorry for this team as this was their second Sanicole appearance and the second time their display had been compromised over whether it was safe or not to fire pyrotechnics.
Concluding the flying was a solitary Grob109b from the Aerosparx display team. The other aircraft didn’t make it to Belgium following ‘technical’ issues. After a short period of confusion, a decision was made to permit further pyrotechnics and the Grob gently descended from height through several loops before entering several flat turns with white sparks flowing from the wings. Its display at this point was masked by a barrage of quite spectacular ground-based fireworks which concluded the event.
The end of evening did feel a bit weird and flat. Given the circumstances of the final display perhaps the final four acts could have been re-ordered to make the best of what was available and perhaps there was one or two many pyro acts. Had there be less then all could have flown in slightly darker skies to make best use of their special effects.
Despite the somewhat strange conclusion, the 11th Sanicole Sunset Airshow was still a magical and enjoyable experience for visitors with some really cracking displays from the international cast list. It set up the next day’s International Sanicole Airshow very nicely.
