Page 23 - PROTAGONIST 119

Photos: Archivio Frecce Tricolori
AIRCRAFT MB339 – PAN

One of the fundamentals of our activity, perhaps the most important of

all, is safety in flight, and we pay almost maniacal attention to it in all our 0.8/470 +7G/-3G
operations, from the time we start our engines to when we shut them down

at the end of a flight.
MA/KTS – MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT LOAD

1800 1140 4315 98

KG – MAXIMUM ENGINE THRUST NM – MAXIMUM RANGE KG – TAKEOFF WEIGHT KTS – LANDING SPEED

10.972

M – LENGTH

0 1 2 4 6 8 10 12

so we are only at the airfield a couple of days a week. Each has all maneuvers within well defined limits and parameters, which
its own characteristics, but both periods are fast paced and keep are all the more stringent when flying in formation. More than
us constantly busy. We are able to do our work thanks also to the adrenaline, I would speak of total focus on piloting the aircraft.
precious help of the Armed Forces units assigned to support us:
the 2nd Airborne Squadron, stationed at the Rivolto base, and CC: How important is it to feel you are part of a team
the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa for transport of materials and tech - and how difficult is it to lead it?
nical personnel during the aerobatic season. GF: I would say it is everything: we are a team, we think as
a team, and we put the group before the individual, always. It
CC: What is your relationship with speed and adrenaline? is a value that you learn and share from the very first day in the
GF: Being a Frecce Tricolori pilot does not mean we love Aerobatic Squadron—and I would say, more generally, in the en-
thrills and have little regard for danger, quite the contrary. One tire Air Force. I keep it firmly in mind in my role as commander,
of the fundamentals of our activity, perhaps the most important in my actions, and in my relations with all personnel. I do feel 19.30 10.25
of all, is safety in flight, and we pay almost maniacal attention the weight of the responsibility that my role entails, but what is
to it in all our operations, from the time we start our engines to stronger is the pride of leading a group of people whom I see as
when we shut them down at the end of a flight. This is a mindset being exceptional for their professionalism, passion, and total 2
shared throughout the Air Force: the pilot is trained to carry out dedication to the task assigned them. M – WING AREA M – WINGSPAN

20 Skies Protagonist Protagonist Skies 21