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SoloTürk

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SoloTürk or Solo Türk, often stylized as SOLOTÜRK, is a single-aircraft aerobatic demonstration team of the Turkish Air Force based at the Konya Air Base. Plans for the team began in November 2009 and the pilot training process was finalized in August 2010 with three pilots initially. The first demonstration flight was performed within the military in September 2010, and the team made its first public appearance 15 April 2011. Since then, SoloTürk has participated in several national and international airshows, with most maneuvers in demonstration flights being special to the team.

SoloTürk
SoloTürk badge
Active25 November 2009 (15 years ago) formation
15 April 2011 (13 years ago) performances
Country Turkey
Branch Turkish Air Force
RoleAerobatic demonstration Team
Size3 pilots
2 support personnel
9 maintenance personnel
Garrison/HQKonya Air Base
Colors
  •   Golden
  •   Black
  •   Silver
  •   White
Mascot(s)Eagle
Aircraft flown
Fighter3 General Dynamics F-16C Block 40
Transport1 CASA CN-235M-100

The team uses a specially-painted General Dynamics F-16C Block 40 aircraft which is combat ready. SoloTürk formerly operated out of the Akıncı Air Base, but moved to Konya Air Base in 2016 after the coup attempt. The team has a total of 13 personnel, including two pilots, and uses a CASA CN-235M-100 for transportation. Pilots wanting to fly for the team must meet certain criteria before they qualify for a training. SoloTürk has received multiple awards for its demonstration flights.

History

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SoloTürk in 2014

The development of a one-aircraft aerobatic team started on 25 November 2009. The pilots were selected in January 2010 and training started in May the same year, which lasted three months.[1] The first private display flight was performed on 1 September 2010 to then Turkish Air Force commander Hasan Aksay [tr; de] at the Akıncı Air Base in Ankara,[2] where the team would be initially stationed at.[3] The team made its first public appearance on 15 April 2011 at the Akıncı Air Base during the 100th anniversary event of the Turkish Air Force.[4] At the final Waddington International Airshow in 2014, SoloTürk ducked under the glide slope on final approach and made an extremely low-pass above the audience watching the aircraft land.[5]

The Akıncı Air Base, which was the base of SoloTürk since its forming, was closed following the 2016 Turkish coup attempt as it was alleged that the base was used as the command center of pro-coup military.[6] Demonstrations of SoloTürk were temporarily halted following the attempt as a safety measure. An internal investigation within the air force concluded that none of the members of SoloTürk were a part of the Gülen movement.[7] The base of the team was moved to the Konya Air Base in October 2016 under the 132nd Squadron Command, where the aerobatic demonstration team Turkish Stars are also based at.[3][8]

On 25 January 2017, pilots Erhan Günar and Serdar Doğan flew the SoloTürk F-16, which has a takeoff speed of 300 kilometres per hour (160 kn), at a speed of 180 kilometres per hour (97 kn) during a training flight in preparation of the coming year and broke the "slowest flight" record.[9][10] At the inaugural Teknofest on 20 September 2018, a drag race was held between SoloTürk, Red Bull RB8, Kawasaki Ninja H2, Tesla Model S P100D, Aston Martin Vantage, Lotus Evora GT410 and Bombardier Challenger 600. The 9-second race was won by Kenan Sofuoğlu who was driving the Kawasaki Ninja H2. SoloTürk came third behind the Red Bull RB8 driven by Jake Dennis.[11][12]

Before the start of the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park circuit, SoloTürk made a fly-by on the main straight.[13] Footage captured by a track-side cameraman showed that the unexpected and sudden sound of the aircraft scared several drivers who were walking down the straight without headphones.[14] On 21 May 2022, pilot Emre Mert performed the cobra maneuver with the demonstration aircraft. With this, SoloTürk became the first team to perform this maneuver with a General Dynamics F-16.[15]

At the end of 2024, several domestic demonstrations of both SoloTürk and the Turkish Stars were cancelled as part of austerity measures put in place by the Ministry of National Defense, including an appearance at the 9 September celebrations commemorating the Liberation of İzmir.[16] During a demonstration flight at the 7th edition of Teknofest at Adana Şakirpaşa Airport on 3 October, the F-16 aircraft suddenly turned upside down at a very low altitude with the nose pointing down and came as close as "a small number of wingspans" to the crowd.[17] The aircraft landed safely at Incirlik Air Base, and an expert team was sent to investigate the incident.[18]

Demonstrations

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A typical SoloTürk demonstration flight takes about 20 minutes, where the pilot makes 20 maneuvers. According to Erhan Günar, one of the former pilots of the team, most of these are only performed by SoloTürk. After retracting the landing gear following takeoff, the aircraft starts flying in inverse at an altitude of 10 metres (33 ft) and proceeds to climb in that position. The aircraft performs a aileron roll while climbing and turning. The move is performed across three axes and is nicknamed SoloTürk roll because it is only performed by SoloTürk.[19][20] In 2022, the cobra maneuver was also added to the demonstration package of the team.[15] The aircraft stays in between a speed of 100–1,200 knots (190–2,220 km/h) and above an altitude of 100 feet (30 m). Per demonstration flight, 3.5 tonnes of fuel is used. Pilots experience a maximum g-force of 9 during flights.[19][20]

Aircraft

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Demonstration aircraft

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Bottom part of SoloTürk with the star and crescent

SoloTürk uses a General Dynamics F-16C Block 40 aircraft in its demonstration flights.[21] The type was chosen because it is a highly maneuverable aircraft and because the F-16 uses a side-stick, which aids pilots in keeping the aircraft under control during high g-force maneuvers.[19][20] Despite being painted in a special livery, the aircraft still has combat capabilities and is sometimes used in training and minor operations carried out by the Turkish Air Force under the 132nd Squadron Command.[22][23][24] There is a reserve F-16 that is also transported to events should the main aircraft malfunction.[18]

The livery was designed by Murat Dorkip.[25] The star and crescent on the aircraft represents the value of the Turkish Air Force to the Republic of Turkey. The silver star on the plane symbolizes the goal of the Republic of Turkey and the Turkish Air Force to be the star of the 21st century, while the golden eagle on the tail symbolizes the freedom and determination in the spirit of the aviators.[26] According to former SoloTürk pilot Erhan Günar, the black stripes found on the aircraft symbolize "how accurate and fast the Turkish Air Force and Turkish Armed Forces make their decisions".[19]

Transport aircraft

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Initially, the team used a CASA CN-235M-100 as its transport aircraft. In 2016, this aircraft was replaced by a Lockheed C-130 Hercules with serial number 63-13187.[27] In October 2020, the team returned to using a CASA CN-235.[28]

Organization

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Selection and training

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A CASA CN-235M-100 similar to this one provides support for SoloTürk

On 25 November 2009, the Turkish Air Force Command started the Flight with a Single F-16 Aircraft program to find pilots.[2] Three pilots were selected on 14 January 2010: Murat Keleş, Fatih Batmaz and Sedat Yalın Ahbab. On 18 May 2010, Keleş became the first of the three to start his training.[1] During training sessions, two additional pilots were present in the cockpit as observers. Keleş finished his training on 20 August 2010.[2]

In an early 2021 interview with TRT Haber, pilot Emre Mert said that to become a SoloTürk pilot, "you must have flown an F-16 for over 500 hours, have no record of incidents and know a good level of English." Pilots can only start their training of three months which they will have to pass, after they meet these criteria and get selected.[24] Later that year, pilot Murat Bakıcı told that there were specific "books and guidelines" on who could become a pilot, and said that the minimum required flight hours was one thousand.[29]

Personnel

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As of March 2023, the team consists of two pilots, two support personnel and nine maintenance personnel.[1] The person talking during the demonstration flights is SoloTürk's press and public relations officer, Mustafa Bircan Biçer.[24] The three initially selected pilots are no longer a part of SoloTürk. Murat Keleş left in 2012, Fatih Batmaz in 2013, while Sedat Yalın Ahbab left in 2014.[30] As of February 2024, the two incumbent pilots flying the aircraft are Murat Bakıcı and Yasin Dikkule.[31] Apart from demonstration flights, the pilots also participate in regular military missions of the Turkish Air Force.[32]

Awards

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SoloTürk received its first award on 18 July 2011 at the Royal International Air Tattoo for having the "Best Demonstration Flight" of the airshow.[33] In August 2017, the team received the same award at the Slovak International Air Fest, where the demonstration flight was watched by 300,000 people.[34] At the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2018, the team received an award for having the "Best Solo Jet Demonstration Flight" of the airshow.[35]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Tarihçe" [History]. SoloTürk (in Turkish). 23 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Teknofest Solo Türk gösterisi hangi günler var?" [On which days are Teknofest Solo Turk shows]. Akşam (in Turkish). 25 September 2020. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b "SOLOTÜRK'ün yeni yuvası belli oldu" [New home of SOLOTÜRK was announced]. Milliyet (in Turkish). 18 October 2016. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  4. ^ "100th Anniversary Activities of Turkish Air Force F-16 Solo Display Team". Turkish Air Force. 5 November 2010. Archived from the original on 9 March 2011.
  5. ^ David Cenciotti (6 July 2014). "Turkish F-16's ultra low landing at Waddington Airshow". The Aviationist. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  6. ^ "194 killed in quashed Gülenist coup attempt: Military". Hürriyet Daily News. 15 July 2016. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  7. ^ "Bu bayram onları gökyüzünde görmeyeceksiniz çünkü..." [You won't be able to see them this holiday because...]. OdaTV (in Turkish). 29 October 2016. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  8. ^ "SOLOTÜRK'e yeni yuva" [New home for SOLOTÜRK]. A Haber (in Turkish). 18 October 2016. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  9. ^ "SOLOTÜRK'ten "yavaş uçuş" rekoru" [SOLOTÜRK breaks "slow flight" record]. NTV (in Turkish). 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 26 January 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  10. ^ "SOLOTÜRK'ten yavaş uçuş rekoru" [SOLOTÜRK breaks slow flight record]. CNN Türk (in Turkish). 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Teknofest'te F-16'ya karşı motosiklet, F1 aracı ve iş jeti yarıştı" [Motorcycle, F1 car and business jet competed against F-16 at Teknofest]. Habertürk (in Turkish). 20 September 2018. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  12. ^ Enver Alas, İbrahim Maşe (20 September 2018). "İşte F-16 ile Kenan Sofuoğlu yarışının galibi..." [The winner of the F-16 race with Kenan Sofuoğlu...]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  13. ^ "SOLOTÜRK'ten Formula 1 pilotlarına selam" [Greetings from SOLOTÜRK to Formula 1 drivers]. TRT Haber (in Turkish). 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Formula 1 pilotları kaçacak yer aradı" [Formula 1 drivers looked for places to escape]. Yeniçağ (in Turkish). 15 November 2020. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  15. ^ a b Kemal Karadağ (21 May 2022). "SOLOTÜRK yeni manevrasıyla F-16 sınırlarını aştı" [SOLOTÜRK exceeded F-16 limits with its new maneuver]. Anadolu Agency (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  16. ^ "SOLOTÜRK İzmir'e geliyor" [SOLOTÜRK will come to İzmir]. Yeni Asır (in Turkish). 5 October 2024. Archived from the original on 6 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  17. ^ Thomas Newdick (4 October 2024). "Watch Turkey's 'Solo Turk' F-16 Demo Jet's Close Call During A Recent Airshow". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 4 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024 – via Yahoo News.
  18. ^ a b "SOLOTÜRK uçağı uzman ekiplerce incelemede" [SOLOTÜRK plane under examination by expert teams]. Tolga Özbek (in Turkish). 3 October 2024. Archived from the original on 5 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  19. ^ a b c d Zafer Akpınar, Emrah Elmas (29 September 2014). "SOLOTÜRK'ün merak edilenleri" [Things you are curious about SOLOTÜRK]. Anadolu Agency (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 2 February 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  20. ^ a b c Serap Torun (13 November 2020). "Bu manevrayı sadece SOLOTÜRK yapıyor" [Only SOLOTÜRK does this maneuver]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  21. ^ Mete Ertunç Sevilir (29 October 2021). "Antalya SOLOTÜRK gösterisi ne zaman?" [When is the Antalya SOLOTÜRK show?]. Habertürk (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  22. ^ "FAQ". SoloTürk. 4 March 2022. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  23. ^ "Gökyüzünde heyecan dolu 10 yıl (SOLOTÜRK 10 yaşında)" [10 years of excitement in the sky (SOLOTÜRK is 10 years old)]. NTV (in Turkish). 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  24. ^ a b c "SOLOTÜRK 10 yıldır göklere imza atıyor" [SOLOTÜRK has been making its mark on the skies for 10 years]. TRT Haber (in Turkish). 28 October 2021. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  25. ^ "The graphic design of SoloTürk". SoloTürk. 27 November 2019. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Cumhurbaşkanı Gül, Türk Hava Kuvvetleri'nin 100. Yılında SOLOTÜRK Gösterisini İzledi" [President Gül Watched the SOLOTÜRK Show on the 100th Anniversary of the Turkish Air Force]. Presidency of the Republic of Turkey (in Turkish). 15 April 2011. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  27. ^ Hans van Herk (30 September 2020). "Solo Türk new support aircraft". Scramble. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  28. ^ "SOLOTÜRK Tekrar CN235'le Birlikte" [SOLOTÜRK is Again With a CN235]. C4defence (in Turkish). 1 October 2020. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  29. ^ "This is how SOLOTÜRK, architect of daredevil airshows, prepares". Daily Sabah. 25 December 2021. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  30. ^ "İz Bırakanlar" [The Ones Who Have Left a Mark]. SoloTürk (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  31. ^ "Uçuş Ekibi" [Flight Crew]. SoloTürk (in Turkish). 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  32. ^ "SOLOTÜRK 10 yaşında! Efsane ekip kapılarını CNN TÜRK'e açtı" [SOLOTÜRK is 10 years old! The legendary team opened its doors to CNN TÜRK]. Milliyet (in Turkish). 15 April 2021. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  33. ^ Alpaslan Düven (18 July 2011). "SoloTürk Londra'da ödül kazandı" [SoloTurk won an award in London]. Hürriyet (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  34. ^ "SOLOTÜRK'e Slovakya'dan ödül" [Award to SOLOTÜRK from Slovakia]. Dünya (in Turkish). 29 August 2017. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  35. ^ "SOLOTÜRK'e İngiltere'den ödül" [Award to SOLOTÜRK from England]. Habertürk (in Turkish). 18 July 2018. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
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