A close-up of the planes that fly over our house every day.

   This year is the 125th anniversary of the town of Santiago de la Ribera, next door to which is the Academia General del Aire which trains pilots, and is home to the "Eagle Patrol", which is the Spanish equivalent of the Red Arrows in UK.
   To acknowledge this, the Acadamia is holding 4 open days in May and June to celebrate. We were lucky enough to see the invitation on the internet in good time, and got our names down for Friday 24th May. 35 people attended and we started by watching the flag ceremony, then watching the salute being taken from the company.

Taking the salute

   After a tour around the buildings and a visit to the regimental museum, we had a filmshow about the work and leisure of the Eagle Patrol and had some questions and answers.

Regimental museum

   Having been told the tour was approx one and a half hours long we assumed that was the end and we were going home. However, at the T junction, we turned not left for the exit but right for the airfield!!
   There are 3 types of plane operating from the Acadamia. The first is a propeller trainer, then a jet trainer, then the jet they use for the displays. We can see them practicing every day from our roof terrace at home - sometimes just 2 propeller planes, sometimes 2 jet trainers and sometimes a complete display routine complete with coloured smoke.
   To our amazement there was a propeller trainer and a jet trainer on the apron with the canopy open and steps in place. We got to sit in the propeller one, but not the jet because it had a live ejector seat in it which the pilot said was "cero cero" (zero zero). This means it can eject at zero speed and zero altitude, so if you sat in it and weren't strapped into the seat and touched the release handle under the seat - well you can imagine. (I don't think they were insured for that!)

Jet trainer

Inside the jet trainer - don't touch that handle!!

Propeller trainer and instructor (and pupil)

Biggles!

The Red Baron

   Whilst we were on the apron 3 propeller trainers landed, followed by 3 display jets - all very exciting and very loud. This was totally unexpected and was a real bonus.
   All in all a fantastic experience and insight into the workings of a military base which I would recommend to anyone - if you get the chance - do it.

Two prop trainers just landed

Handbrake on

Now for the debrief

Display jet

Two down and one incoming

Link to all pictures at Acadamia del Aire here