Microlease Aerobatic Team

Firebird

Microlease Aerobatic Team

Created in 2001, the Microlease Aerobatic Team is the only professional civilian formation team in the UK. Flying a brand new pair of specialist Extra 300L aircraft, the objective from the start was to produce a display which set new standards of dynamism and drama. The performance includes many unique figures – manoeuvres like the Mirror Loop, synchronised tailslides, formation vertical rolls and weird-looking knife-edge tumbles.

The Team is new but the pilots are not – Brian Lecomber and John Taylor both have display flying careers spanning more than 20 years, and between them have flown nearly 4,000 solo and formation performances.

The Team sponsor, Microlease plc, is Britain’s leading electronic rental company. They have been in partnership with Firebird for 14 years, and the Team is a natural progression from the solo Pitts and Extra Microlease aircraft which have been popular air show performers for more than a decade.

At their debut display at the 2001 Biggin Hill Air Show the Microlease Team were awarded the Shell Trophy for the best team display – a feat they then repeated in 2002. (Making something of a hat-trick, since Brian Lecomber won the best solo display award at Biggin in 2000). The Microlease Team has also won the Best Display Trophy at the RAF Waddington Air Show – a particular accolade in a programme which included participants from seven air forces, and several national jet teams.

In 2002 the Microlease Team displayed in eight European countries as well as in Britain.

"A beautiful, well thought-through and technically brilliant display. "
Gilbert Buekenberghs
Chairman, European Airshow Council