European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 27, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse Italy s acrobatic aces return to the sky editor s note this article went to press before sunday s scheduled airshow in Belgium by Candida Sansone and Gary Miller Mediterranean bureaus s the first anniversary of the Ramstein airshow disaster approached pilots of Italy s recce Tricolour were climbing Back into their Derma Chi jets to resume the aerobatics that ended in death for three teammates sunday 364 Days after the fiery crash that also claimed the lives of 67 people on the ground nine members of the 10-Pilot team were to take to the air in a performance at Charleroi Belgium. As part of their routine the pilots plan to include a portion of the pierced heart stunt that was fatal on aug. 28,1988. An official with the us air Force who requested anonymity termed the planned performance it just shows no respect or regard for the population of West Germany and other nato nations the official said. The return of the Tri coloured arrows Italy s National aerobatic team to Public life comes at the end of a yearlong Effort to rebuild a group that lost four members in crashes in 1988 including the three at Ramstein and much of its Public support. Their morale was very Low not Only because of the Ramstein Accident but also because people acted As if they the pilots were said an italian air Force official who requested anonymity. The future of the team was Uncertain for the time being the team will be restricted to training lights and will Only to allowed to perform traditional flyovers at military ceremonies italian air Force spokesman capt. Massimo Maccari said on the third Day after disaster. Bettino Praxi Secretary of Italy s socialist parly later suggested the italian air Force abandon All stunt flying. The Media also began to question the value of the team and suggested that it be abolished. Media criticism heightened dec. 12 when a Fresco Tricolour Pilot who joined the team after the Ramstein crash was killed. It. Col. Paolo Scoponi who was due to assume command of the group crashed during practice near the team s Home base of Revollo on the outskirts of Udine in northeastern Italy. Although the team was criticized after Ramstein a Survey by the Rome newspaper espresso in the fall found that 70 percent to 80 percent of italians favored keeping the team and recognized that a certain amount of risk was involved in such performances. However even though the team is returning to air show precision Hying the pilots will not in the same manner attempt the daring Man Euver that failed in w. Germany the angles timing and distances Between aircraft have been altered to enhance the safety of the Man Euver said the italian air Force official. The pilots have modified other Maneu vers to decrease the chances of an Accident and the new stunts have been declared Safe by italian authorities. In the original pierced heart nine of the team s aircraft split into two groups and descended in opposite directions forming a heart with smoke. At the is do Ocsio the recce Tricolour Italy s National aerobatic team begins the pierced heart stunt that moments later claimed the lives of three pilots and 67 spectators at the flags teen air show on aug. 26,1988. Bottom Point of the heart the nine jets raced past each other As the soloist streaked through the Middle of the heart piercing it with an Arrow of smoke. The soloist s High directly toward spectators at Ramstein contributed to the High number of deaths and injuries at the air show. When soloist it col. Ivo Mutarelli collided with the aircraft of team Leader it. Col Mario Naldini and capt. Giorgio Alessio Mutarelli s plane crashed and exploded in a huge Black and Orange fireball near the audience. The soloist s role now Calls for him to Pierco the heart after the other aircraft have crossed and at an Angle that would prevent him from heading toward the audience. Will air shows resume by Deedee Arrington Doke Kaiserslautern Bureau the future of military air shows in West Germany remains most debate focuses on whether air shows should feature stunt flying by National teams such As Italy s recce Tri Colori the controversy also involves Aerial demonstrations by single aircraft and multiple aircraft flybys. The future of air shows in West Germany will be determined in part by a West German parliamentary commission investigating the Accident. The panel s final report is expected to be released in october Rose Golle a social democratic member of the panel predicted the commission will ask the West German Chancellor to ask the americans not to have air shows again. Tho spa faction will ask that at since the tragedy officials of Rheinland Slalz the West German state in which Ramstein is located and leaders of cities near the us. Air base have stated their opposition to future air shows emphatically. The greens party has called Lor a peace and culture festival to replace the annual air show at Ramstein As a Celebration of German american Friendship. Because of the commission s investigation Safe and military Airlift come leaders cancelled All air shows until the new Solo Pilot completes training the heart will remain a pierced during flight exhibitions. Since Ramstein the team has performed primarily at military ceremonies but the pilots can look Forward to a Busy fall schedule on sept 4, the group is scheduled to perform at the Ese Boga Airport in Ankara Turkey. Throughout september and Early october it will present the National colors in flight to audiences at various air shows and ceremonies in Italy. While the team looks toward the future Italy is making plans to Honor the three pilots killed last year a memorial service marking the first anniversary of the crash will be conducted tuesday in Udine. And open houses in 1989 at . Air bases in West Germany. Air shows and open houses continued As usual however at bases in other european countries the . Air Force also had its annual open House in West Berlin. Safe officials Are awaiting results of the investigation before we even begin thinking about policy for future air shows in the Federal Republic of Germany said Doug Moore a spokesman for the Ramstein based command. Moore said the air Force sees a need for the shows exhibition flying is an excellent vehicle for Demon Strating to a Large segment of the Public the capabilities of our aircraft and the personnel who Fly Cymru Jung to in report tue writer Jomn own the stars and stripes Page 17
