IAF Aerobatic Team
 |
| IAF Aerobatic Team | |
|---|---|
| File:Zukit 2.jpg The IAF Aerobatic team | |
| Active | 1973 - present |
| Country |  Israel |
| Branch |  Israel Air Force |
| Role | Aerobatic Display |
| Garrison/HQ | Hatzerim Airbase |
| Colors | Red and white |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Trainer | Four Fouga Magisters |
The IAF Aerobatic Team is the aerobatic display team of the Israeli Air Force. The team flies the IAI Tzukit , a variant of the French Fouga Magister manufactured under license by Israel Aerospace Industries.
The team typically flies demonstrations at the graduation ceremony of the IAF flight academy, and on Israel's independence day. The team is based adjacent to the IAF's flight academy at Hatzerim Airbase.
Ido Nehoshtan, the current commander of the Israeli Air Force is a former member of the team.
Information
A jet powered trainer that is used in the selection process in the IAF Flight School and for training cadets. It was developed from the French Fouga Magister, that had served the IAF as both a jet combat plane and a trainer since 1960.
The Fougas were radically revamped by the IAI and fitted for carrying advanced motors and equipment. The first prototype of the Tzukit took to the air in September of 1980, and was handed over to the IAF in May of 1981 for initial testing. At the IAF's request certain modifications were carried out and included in the first serial Tzukit planes, which were delivered to the IAF in June of 1983. By 1986, all of the Tzukit planes created had been delivered to the IAF.
