Airbus C-101's Eagle Patrol Unit Reaches 40-Year Milestone, Honoring the Legacy of 'Culopollo' Aircraft
Experience the Emotional Goodbye of the Iconic C-101 at Aire25
After 40 jaw-dropping years, the journey of the C-101 comes to a close at Aire25. This legendary aircraft, recognized by generations of Spaniards, has been the backbone of the Eagle Patrol and the foundation for thousands of military pilots.
Lieutenant Óscar Sanz, one of the many skilled pilots trained on the CASA/Airbus C-101, will fly alongside his Eagle Patrol colleagues for the last time during the air demonstration at Aire25, taking place on June 14 and 15, 2025, at San Javier Air Base in Murcia. This festival guarantees an extraordinary milestone in Spanish aviation history as the C-101 embarks on its farewell tour.
The bonds that keep us flying high
The camaraderie among the Eagle Patrol pilots is palpable. Sanz shares, "We've experience flying tight formations, but at first, you don't believe you'll make it. The tonel was a real challenge for me. I kept trying... until I finally got it, maybe on my 300th attempt!" Despite the risks associated with low-altitude, tight formation flights, the pilots' trust in one another is unwavering. After each flight, they embrace, forming an inseparable brotherhood they call 'Team.'
Direct descendant of the former Ashes Patrol with F-86 Sabre aircraft, the Eagle Patrol was established in 1985, based at San Javier Air Base, Murcia.
- flight always involves a degree of risk. Flying at low altitude, in tight formations with close aircraft, we're well-prepared, and our trust in each other is absolute. After flying, we always hug each other. We're friends in the air and on the ground," Óscar Sanz sums up.*
Saying goodbye to the noble Culopollo
The low-wing, twin-seat jet, C-101, features a tandem dual cockpit and a single engine. Its high tail satisfies reinforced landing gear designed to endure the stresses of basic training and a wide-angle of attack landings. Affectionately called "Culopollo" by Spanish pilots, this iconic aircraft has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who have flown it.
"For many of us, 'Culopollo' is more than just a machine. It's a legend, a part of our history. All the pilots and mechanics have a soft spot for it," says Sanz.
The C-101 first graced the skies on July 27, 1977, and joined the Spanish Air Force on March 17, 1980. Five C-101 aircraft debuted as the Patrúlla Águila on June 4, 1985.
CASA to Airbus: the birth of Spanish aerospace
The C-101, developed by CASA, remains an essential chapter in the narrative of Airbus in Spain. The ambition to create a replacement for the T-33, T-6, and HA-200 Saeta training aircraft ultimately led to the development of the C-101.
CASA collaborated with Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB), Germany, and Northrop, USA during the C-101's design, emphasizing simplicity, economy, and adaptability. The modular configuration streamlined maintenance and facilitated evolving training requirements. This focus on international collaboration and modularity later became hallmarks of European aerospace consortia, most notably Airbus.
The success of the C-101 played a significant role in reducing Spain's dependence on imported defense equipment and promoting national defense industry, propelling Spain's growing ability to design and produce complex military aircraft independently.
A total of 151 C-101 units were produced at the Getafe facilities, with 4 serving as prototypes during development. The Spanish Air Force acquired 88 units, while the rest served in Chile, Jordan, and Honduras.
Farewell to the Patrúlla Águila at Aire25
Top European acrobatic teams like the Red Arrows (United Kingdom), the Patrouille de France, and the Frecce Tricolori (Italy) will be present during Aire25. However, the main attraction will undoubtedly be the farewell performance by the Patrúlla Águila and their beloved C-101.
When the C-101 takes to the skies one last time at Aire25, what will run through Óscar Sanz's head? "I'll remember the good times, like when my whole family came to see me in Albacete for the 14th Wing anniversary or my first international display at Air Power in Austria. I looked out from the cockpit, and there was a sea of people gathered to watch us, and it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it."
The Spanish Air and Space Force has already replaced the C-101 with the turboprop Pilatus PC-21 as its basic trainer, while the Hurjet from Turkish Aerospace Industries has been selected for advanced jet training. Airbus is leading a Spanish consortium with plans to assemble and integrate Spanish systems into future Hurjet batches. The collaboration was formalized during FEINDEF 2025, the International Defense and Security Fair held in Madrid in May 2025.
[1] Enrichment data source: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/CASA_C-101_Aviojet
The camaraderie among the Eagle Patrol pilots has been built over years of challenging flights, with Lieutenant Óscar Sanz recalling his struggle to master the tonel maneuver.
Despite the risks associated with their tight formations, the pilots' trust in each other is absolute, as they refer to themselves as 'Team'.
The C-101, a product of CASA and the founding aircraft of the Eagle Patrol, has left a lasting impact on Spanish aviation, marking a significant milestone in the development of Airbus in Spain.
