Czech Aerobatic Team to Fly as Red Bull Aerobatic Team

The well-known Czech aerobatic team Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team is entering the future under a new name. As Red Bull Aerobatic Team, the formation aims to continue its long-standing international success story.

The Czech aerobatic team Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team is getting a new name. In future, the four pilots will perform as Red Bull Aerobatic Team at air shows and major international events. The group has a history spanning more than 65 years and is one of the world's longest-established civilian aerobatic formations.

The renaming marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Czech aerobatic team. Under the name Red Bull Aerobatic Team, the formation will continue to appear at air shows, sporting events and other major events in the Czech Republic and abroad. The group's characteristic flying style will remain unchanged: four aerobatic aircraft perform demanding manoeuvres in close formation, where precision, perfect coordination and mutual trust are essential.

Photo: Red Bull CZ

"The new name allows us to show more clearly who we are today. We are a Czech aerobatic team with a long history, our own style and the ambition to continue developing formation aerobatics," explains team leader Stanislav Čejka. The name Red Bull Aerobatic Team represents the group's next chapter.

A History That Began in Chrudim in 1958

The roots of the aerobatic team date back to the years between 1958 and 1960. At that time, a tradition of Czech formation aerobatics developed in Chrudim, eastern Bohemia, which today's team continues. The first generation of pilots already flew ZLIN Trenér aircraft in particularly close formations, laying the foundations for the flying style that remains characteristic of the team today.

After a lengthy interruption caused by a shortage of aircraft, the team returned to the skies in 1990. Initially performing under the name SKY BOX, the formation once again made a name for itself on the international aerobatics scene. During the competitive era of the FAI Aerobatics World Grand Prix, the formation won five gold medals, making it one of the most successful aerobatic teams of its time.

Photo: Red Bull CZ

Another milestone followed in 2000, when the group adopted the name Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team. Since then, the Czech pilots have performed at numerous international air shows, Formula 1 races, music festivals and other major events. Their performances have taken the team to Japan, China, India, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and numerous European countries.

Spectacular Aerial Manoeuvres and International Records

Throughout its history, the team has carried out several extraordinary aerobatic projects. In China, the formation became the first aerobatic team to fly through the famous Tianmen Cave, also known as "Heaven's Gate".

The pilots achieved another spectacular manoeuvre in Montenegro. There, the team performed a so-called outside loop in formation around the Mala Rijeka railway bridge. The structure is one of the highest railway bridges in Europe.

Four Pilots, 315 HP and Speeds of Up to 420 km/h

The current Red Bull Aerobatic Team formation consists of four Czech pilots: Stanislav Čejka, Jan Tvrdík, Jan Rudzinskyj and Martin Špaček.

Photo: Red Bull CZ

The team uses four specially modified XA42 XtremeAir aerobatic aircraft. Each aircraft has an engine output of 315 hp and can reach speeds of up to 420 kilometres per hour. During a single performance, the team covers up to 70 kilometres and performs around 38 different aerobatic figures. During particularly demanding manoeuvres, the pilots must withstand acceleration forces of up to +7G and −5G.

Under its new name, the Red Bull Aerobatic Team intends to maintain its international presence. For spectators, the proven concept remains unchanged: four Czech pilots, four powerful aerobatic aircraft and spectacular aerial manoeuvres in extremely close formation.