The Patriots Jet Team is the civilian aerobatic display team flying six L-39 Albatross aircraft and based in Byron, California.
The team leader is Dean "Wilbur" Wright, who was a former USAF Thunderbirds Solo pilot. The right wing is flown by Rob "Stache" Hutchison, a 747 Captain and active Alaskan bush pilot. The left wing is flown by John "Bordz" Posson, a current P-51 Mustang instructor pilot at Stallion 51 in Florida. And the slot is flown by Paul "Sticky" Strickland, also a former USAF Thunderbird slot pilot.
The team owner and founder is Randy "Howler" Howell - a current 747 Captain, former Formula Class racer at the Reno Air Races and a back-up demonstration pilot for all positions on the Patriots Jet Team.
The Patriots Jet Team L-39s are painted black and are equipped with 25-gallon smoke oil tanks and electronic, GPS, controlled smoke generators releasing red, white and blue smoke.
Team's signature maneuver is its ability to tail slide the L-39, a maneuver no other civilian jet team performs.
The Patriots Jet Team was formed in the beginning of the 21st century, while the first team's L-39 was purchased in 1999.
The first public display as a duo team was in 2003.
In 2004, the third L-39 was added to the Patriots Jet Team.
In 2006, the Patriots Jet Team became a full-size aerobatic team increased to four aircraft in formation. This was second largest civilian jet aerobatic team in the world after the Breitling Jet Team, who also use the L-39 Albatross.
In 2011 the team expand to six-ship jet demonstration team.
