Upsides of Fear: Meet "Vlad," Leader of France’s Elite Air Force Aerobatics Unit

At 600 km/h, he performs maneuvers in the sky, less than two meters from his squadron mates. In the cramped cockpit of his Alpha Jet, every movement is meticulously planned. At such a speed, the slightest mistake would be unforgivable. “I like to say that we are ordinary men doing something extraordinary,” says a smiling Brice*, alias “Vlad” (his pilot alias).

At 34, he is the leader of the Patrouille de France (Acrobatic Air Patrol of France). On his uniform, the rank of commander appears alongside the insignia of his famous unit. "On every flight, I take responsibility for bringing seven people safely home... home to seven families. "The statement is not abstract. Last year, two aircraft collided before crashing, fortunately without causing any injuries. "I believe that fear is a good thing. If it is controlled, it helps us to make every mission as safe as possible."

Iron discipline

While seeing these blue aircraft soaring about, with their plumes of tricolour smoke, remains a hypnotic spectacle, it nevertheless requires iron discipline: nearly 150 training flights, at a rate of two per day — not counting sports sessions and debriefings. "It’s like climbing Mount Everest. It’s incredibly difficult. For it to work, you need the support of your loved ones,” explains the father of one young daughter.

The pilot, who was the unit’s second-in-command, took over as the lead pilot this season. In total, nearly 70 people work to produce spectacular air shows during the summer season, including the famous flyover of the Champs-Élysées on July 14th, Bastille Day."On the day of my appointment, I felt a weight fall on my shoulders. And they remained stuck there for almost two weeks!"

Originally from Pont-Audemer, in Normandy, "Vlad" was not destined to wear the uniform. "In my family, no one is in the military, or even a pilot," he explains. His vocation dates back to his childhood. At the time, the Concorde flew over his school every day. One day, the teacher brought the class down to the courtyard to admire the supersonic plane. The little boy was bursting with excitement. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘That’s what I want to do when I grow up.’”

One objective

After a traditional education, he completed two years of preparatory classes in science, and in 2011 entered the Air and Space School — one of the two pathways to becoming a military pilot. His first flight at the controls was in a glider. “To become a fighter pilot, this is the best training. You have to constantly anticipate, to find updrafts."

The young man had one goal: to fly the Rafale (Dassault Aviation**), a fighter jet capable of operating from both an aircraft carrier and a land base. He got his first experience at the Salon-de-Provence air base, the same one where the Patrouille de France trains daily.“Watching them perform those moves, I was captivated. I thought to myself, ‘Maybe one day…’ Even though, at the time, it seemed completely unattainable.”

After his training, "Vlad" joined the force of nuclear deterrence, airborne, in Saint-Dizier; then the conventional forces, located in Mont-de-Marsan. It was only following these experiences that he decided to apply to join the Patrouille."We are not the best in the French military," he says.

Fighter pilot training is so rigorous that all applicants meet the required level. Recruitment is based primarily on availability and interpersonal skills: performing high-flying aerobatics as a group requires genuine synergy. He learned he was chosen… mid-flight, in the company of a friend from his graduating class.

"All for one"

However, once the initial joy has passed, the first few weeks are tough."The Alpha Jet is an older generation aircraft,” explains the pilot. "By comparison, it’s a rotary phone, whereas a Rafale is a smartphone!"

For the pilots, everything has to be relearned, as aerobatics is a radically different discipline from combat aviation. On the ground, the crew rehearses their "music" beforehand, miming the flight with synchronized hand movements. A methodical ballet, repeated until perfect."This allows us to perform all sorts of maneuvers in our heads. In the air, the brain no longer has to ask itself questions."

Within the unit, each pilot is nicknamed an "Athos," a reference to the musketeers of Alexandre Dumas. One for all, and all for one : at this level of precision, where everyone’s life depends on their teammates, the maxim truly takes on its full meaning.

Created in 1953, the Patrouille de France embraces its role showcasing skills and equipment for the French army.“We use air shows to demonstrate to the general public the discipline and values that drive all members of the military,” explains the leader. Abroad, the unit also aims to be an “ambassador” of French aeronautical excellence.

Aware of his position as a role model, Commander Brice does not hesitate to encourage young people to follow in his footsteps. “I meet many people who tell me they gave up because they didn’t have the math skills. But you don’t need to be Einstein to be a fighter pilot! At 800 km/h, you’re not doing triple integrals.” As proof, next year the unit will welcome a young man who obtained his baccalaureate on the repeat session. "The only limits are the ones we set for ourselves," he adds.

Anonymous celebrity

At base 701 in Salon-de-Provence, portraits of former teams stand guard over the new ones in the corridor. The "PAF," as it is often nicknamed, is also a matter of heritage: “We are committed to passing this tool on to future generations,” the pilot explains, before putting on his helmet and sunglasses. In the neighboring hangars, the famous blue aircraft seem to be waiting for their mechanics. It does all recall the universe of the movie Top Gun.

Indeed, now the nine pilots are also the subjects of this month’s documentary: Athos, at the Heart of the Patrouille de France, directed by Mathieu Giombini, which recounts their daily lives on film. Welcoming the spotlight is an integral part of the mission."But it’s an anonymous kind of fame," the commander notes, putting things into perspective. “As soon as I take off my uniform, I cease to exist. And that’s just fine: as soldiers, we’re used to living in the shadows.”

Each year, three regulars leave the unit, and three new ones join. At the end of the season, "Vlad" will in turn join the ranks of the veterans. And then what? “The Patrouille de France is a parenthesis in a career. It’s a kind of ambassadorial role,” he explains with a smile that is both warm and professional. As a career officer, he envisions continuing his path within the Air and Space Force, taking on greater responsibilities. As for the 2026 aerial choreography, all that is known is that it is the result of a collaborative effort. "As for the rest, it’s a surprise. See you next May!"

* Since last autumn, the French army has been asking that the surnames of its members not be mentioned, in order to preserve their safety.
** The Dassault group is the owner of Le Figaro.