The Republic of Korea Air Force’s iconic Black Eagles aerobatic team soared over Sydney on Tuesday in their first-ever display in Australia.
The eight aircraft – KAI T-50B Golden Eagles – made their impromptu appearance before they perform at Avalon next week.
You can see a series of videos of the aircraft over Sydney below.
The KAI T-50B Golden Eagle is a supersonic advanced jet trainer aircraft modified with the addition of a highly visible display livery, an onboard camera system, and display smoke-generating equipment.
The team is famous for its signature “Taegeuk” aerobatic, which creates the Republic of Korea flag with precision formation aerobatics and display smoke. They previously won two honours at the British airshow Royal International Air Tattoo in July last year.
Airshow 2023 chief executive officer Justin Gidding said the Black Eagles were an exciting addition to the program.
Nice work by the #ROKAF Black Eagles over Sydney today. Great show! #AusAirForce 🇰🇷 pic.twitter.com/F4gMtJYMTu
— Mike Boyd 🇦🇺 (@mike_boyd) February 21, 2023
“The Airshow 2023 team is honoured that the first Black Eagles display ever seen in Australia will be at our event,” he said.
“The Black Eagles are well known internationally for their professional display performance and distinctive aircraft that have not been seen in Australia before.
“The Black Eagles will add a new level of interest and spectacle for aviation enthusiasts at Airshow 2023.
Don’t mind a lunchtime show – Jets over Sydney Harbour today. It is a display squadron from South Korea, and they are currently in training. Making their debut appearance in Australia, the Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles Aerobatic Team #sydneyharbor #flyby #sydney pic.twitter.com/9G7f7AKS3c
— Aichkaye (@aichkaye1) February 21, 2023
“Airshow 2023 is all about presenting new and exciting displays and aircraft across the spectrum of aviation, from Australia and around the world.
“There will be more announcements in the coming weeks about new aircraft, displays and teams, some of which will be performing in Australia for the first time at Airshow 2023.”
Royal Australian Air Force director of displays, Group Captain David Glasson said the Republic of Korea Air Force visited Australia to train during Exercise Pitch Black in 2022 and the RAAF is excited to see the Black Eagles team.
The Korean (ROKAF) T-50B ‘Black Eagles’ aerobatic display team over Sydney this afternoon. ✈️ Enroute to the Avalon Airshow I would expect. Very entertaining welcome back to my first day back in the office. 😜 pic.twitter.com/Lt5X2kgAJT
— David Warwick-Smith (@drwarwicksmith) February 21, 2023
“It’s fantastic to see the Republic of Korea Air Force visiting the Airshow for the first time, and we’re excited to see what we know will be a very professional display from their Black Eagles team,” he said.
