By Marjorie DuruptPublished on
The airshow season is about to begin on May 9th. Just a few days before its launch, the French Air and Space Army presented, near Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle), in a preview, the new Rafale Solo Display show. Spectacular aerobatic maneuvers performed by a new pilot who has created his own aerial choreography.
The French Air and Space Army presents a new show with a Rafale
Before the press on Monday, May 4, at the 133rd Air Base in Nancy-Ochey, Captain Alexandre Roeckel, also known as “Rocky,” took to the skies in his fighter jet to showcase his demonstration program. The event was held in Lorraine, as the runway at the Saint-Dizier 113 Air Base is currently under construction.
For about ten minutes, the pilot of the Rafale Solo Display performed maneuvers in the air at a speed of 1,200 km/h, tight turns, and numerous impressive rolls, aboard an aircraft freshly painted in blue, white, and red colors with a military camouflage, an aesthetic he himself chose.
Foreign Air Shows
An exceptional and intense aerobatic show that Rocky will be the only one presenting at airshows in France and abroad, including Egypt, England, and Romania, for two years.
As a fighter pilot in the French Air and Space Army since 2008, he has accumulated over 3,200 flight hours and 61 combat missions, becoming a demonstration pilot and ambassador for the institution for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
Promoting the Aircraft’s Performance to the Public
A childhood dream for this military man, who always wanted to become a Rafale pilot and now aims to show that this career path is accessible. “My role for these two years will be to participate in airshows, engage with the public, and highlight the exceptional qualities of the aircraft. Many think this career is inaccessible, but that’s not necessarily the case. From the moment a young person obtains a general or technological baccalaureate, they can apply to become a fighter pilot,” explains Alexandre Roeckel.
He succeeds Captain Jean-Brice Millet, who is now his coach and supports him from the ground during each flight.
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