The Orlik Aerobatic Team (Polish: Zespół Akrobacyjny Orlik) is an aerobatic team of the Polish Air Force. Like the Polish Air Force’s other aerobatic team, Team Iskry, Team Orlik derive their name from the aircraft they fly: the PZL-130 Orlik TC-II.
Active: 1998-present
Country: 
Poland
Home base: Radom Air Base
Operator: Air Force
Size: up to 7 aircraft in display
AIRCRAFT FLOWN
PZL-130 Orlik (1998-present)
History
Team Orlik displayed for the first time in 1998, and made their international airshow debut the same year at the Royal International Air Tattoo. Starting out as a six-ship (a main formation of five and soloist), the team added a second solo pilot in 2000. Since then, Team Orlik have most commonly flown as a seven-ship team, but grew as large as eight or nine aircraft on occasion.
From 2018 until 2021, Team Orlik flew a reduced sequence due to a Polish Air Force PZL-130 upgrade programme, which resulted in fewer aircraft than normal being in active service. Shows were performed with between one and four aircraft.
By mid-2021, the team had grown back to a six-ship formation. They had intended to expand to their traditional seven-strong formation for the 2023 season, but a minor accident in the spring prevented this from happening; instead, they dropped to a solo display for the first half of the season and a six-ship for the second half. In 2024, it is anticipated that they will fly as a 5-ship for the entire year.
Occasionally, the team also performs an Orlik Memorial Flight routine, featuring three Orliks and two T-6 Harvards.
