Marking Air France’s 90th and the Patrouille de France’s 70th anniversaries, the two French aviation legends have been honored in a spectacular aerial film featuring an Air France Airbus A350-900.
On Tuesday (December 19, 2023), Air France revealed a new special aerial film honoring the carrier’s 90th and the Patrouille de France’s 70th anniversaries. The Patrouille de France serves as an ambassador for the French Air and Space Force, with the display team showcasing their expertise to the general public at annual air shows. The stunning footage was films at the end of September 2023 and features the carrier’s 22nd Airbus A350-900 named ‘Les Sables-d’Olonne.’ As the new aircraft made its ferry flight from Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Toulouse to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, it was joined by the pilots of the Patrouille de France Alphajet operating a positioning flight prior to an airshow in the Occitanie region. The special mission, which took place 2,500 meters above the Camargue, was dubbed ‘ATHOS A350.’
In Tuesday’s announcement, the Patrouille de France’s Event Manager and ATHOS A350 Mission Leader, Eric Prévot, said,
“A month of preparation and thorough cooperation was required to plan this 45-minute flight down to the smallest detail, guaranteeing the highest level of safety. This groundwork prepared jointly by the Patrouille de France team, the Air France crew and the pilot of the camera-mounted aircraft was carried out in line with the highest standards.”
Air France and the Patrouille de France's ATHOS 350 Mission Film Directed by Eric Magnan - Courtesy Air France/© Eric Magnan
The special mission film was directed by Eric Magnan of Airborne Films, a specialist in aerial footage, and shot from a French TBM 700 DAHER camera-mounted aircraft, featuring a leading edge gyro-stabilized camera system. The original music was composed by Augustin Saldjian and performed by the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
Stunning Still Shots From Air France and the Patrouille de France's ATHOS 350 Mission Film Directed by Eric Magnan - Courtesy Air France/© Eric Magnan
With an order placed for 99 Airbus A350s in passenger and cargo versions, the Air France-KLM Group expects the world’s leading operator of the aircraft type. The new jewel of the Air France fleet, the Airbus A350-900 reduces fuel burn and emissions by 25 percent, while delivering a 40 percent smaller noise footprint compared to previous generation airplanes.
Source: Air France