Aviation News – The Italian Air Force’s Pattuglia Acrobatica Nazionale (PAN) successfully conducted its traditional May 1st acrobatic training session at Rivolto Air Base, signaling the official start of the 2026 airshow season. This symbolic event, attended by high-ranking officials and hundreds of dedicated fans, marks the beginning of a rigorous international schedule designed to showcase Italian excellence.
The event took place at the home of the 2° Stormo in the Presence of the Air Force Chief of Staff, General Antonio Conserva. This annual gathering serves as a critical bridge between winter preparation and the public display season, bringing together civil and military authorities alongside representatives from the
Frecce Tricolori Clubs. The ceremony underscores the deep bond between the Italian military and the local community in the Friuli region.
A major highlight of the day was the official debut of Captain Tommaso Calogeri as “Pony 8,” the new third right wingman of the formation. His integration into the team is a key milestone for the 2026 season, which features an extensive calendar of institutional flyovers and major international airshows. The team is scheduled to appear first in Bari for the Feast of San Nicola on May 8, followed by their first full display in Varazze, Liguria, on May 17.
This rigorous training phase ensures the precision and synchronization required for the team’s world-renowned maneuvers, which serve as a demonstration of high-level aeronautical skill. Beyond the spectacle, these performances act as a vital operational showcase, proving the reliability and coordination of the Air Force’s personnel and equipment. The technical mastery displayed during the May Day flight confirms the team’s readiness for the complex logistics of a multi-city tour.
Frecce Tricolori 2026 Season Schedule (Subject to Changes)
- May 08: Bari Air Show, Italy
- May 17: Salerno Air Show, Italy
- May 24: Lungomare Varazze Air Show, Italy
- June 07: Grado Air Show, Italy
- June 14: L’Aquila Air Show, Italy
- June 21: Bellaria – Igea Marina Air Show, Italy
- June 28: Noto Air Show, Sicily
- July 12: W Lignano Air Show, Lignano Sabbiadoro
- August 22–23: Swedish Air Force 100 Years, Malmen, Sweden
- August 29–30: Bucharest International Air Show (BIAS), Romania
- September 05: Desenzano del Garda Air Show, Italy
- September 06: Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, Monza
- September 12: Jesolo Airshow, Italy
- September 18: 500 Years of Beretta, Gardone Val Trompia
- September 27: Salerno Air Show, Italy
- November 04: Unity Day/Armed Forces Day, Rome
- December 20: FIS Ski World Cup, Alta Badia
MB339A PAN Frecce Tricolori
On 12 September 2024, the Aeronautica Militare (ItAF, Italian Air Force) confirmed that the Frecce Tricolori will now transition to the twin-engine Leonardo T-346A Master in 2028. The M345 HET was reportedly not felt well suited to large team formation aerobatics, and that the Frecce Tricolori would benefit from the higher performance of the twin-engined T-346 Master, whose higher thrust and greater manoeuvrability would be useful in maintaining the quality and spectacle of the Frecce’s air displays.
The new choice of the Frecce Tricolori the T-346 Master
