Quote from: Stottie Girl on April 18, 2026, 12:44:46 PMI've never been sure why military aerobatic teams often opt for training aircraft instead of front line fighters. UK's red arrows used the Folland Gnat and the BAC Hawk, The french use Alpha jets, Italians Aermacchi.
Is it a cost thing or are they significantly more manouverable?
I suppose the americans buck the trend with their f/A 18 hornets.
The main reasons are cost, availability, and show performance. Trainers use significantly less fuel than fighters, and are cheaper per hour to maintain. Most air forces have many more trainers than fighters. When they are taken off training duty, the ones in better shape can be reassigned to demonstration teams.
Trainers give a more enjoyable show from the spectators' point of view. When a fighter jet, flying at 500 knots does a loop, it climbs so high that it becomes a tiny dot. If it does a level turn, it will quickly be in the next county. A trainer, flying at 250 knots can turn within the airport fence, and is easily visible at the top of a loop.
