Update – 3/10/16:
Unfortunately the Solo Turk demo has been removed from the El Centro Airshow schedule in the past couple of days due to complications with their appearance. Although the show continues to try to work things out, the performance seems highly doubtful at this stage. The US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet demonstration has also been removed from the show schedule as the Navy has yet to approve their 2016 schedule.
Original Post:
Airshow fans in Southern California have a big reason to get excited today as the Solo Turk F-16 demonstration has been added to the schedule for the NAF El Centro Airshow later this month. The demonstration is possible because a contingent of Turkish Air Force aircraft will be participating in the Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas. Six F-16 Fighting Falcons (including the specially-painted demonstration aircraft), two KC-135Rs, and one A-400 made the transatlantic journey. The demonstration usually uses “smokewinders” and flares, but it may need to be altered to comply with US airshow regulations. This marks a very rare opportunity to see a foreign demonstration on American soil, and we hope our fans will post some great shots of it to our Facebook page!
Here is video of a Solo Turk performance in Berlin in 2014:
Jeremy Meyers
Fans at the El Centro airshow are in for a real treat. I have seen the SOLO Turk at RIAT, Waddington and Volkel airshows and it is packed with high energy kinetic maneuvers. The paint scheme is also one of a kind and reflects the professionalism of the team and the TUAF.
Matt
We need more international aircraft because they are sending the raptor overseas which lol is skipping all 3 air shows I’m attending this year. I’d love to see a typhoon the last time I se one was a static at the 2010 Westfield air show in Massachusetts.