Halcones Escuadrilla de Alta Acrobacia Halcones ( " Hawks High Aerobatics Squad " ) , known simply as Hawks ( Halcones ) , is an active group of nine officers of the Chilean Air Force trained to do aerobatics . One of the Halcones signature moves is recreating the Chilean flag in the air using smoke . The team flies the Extra 300 aerobatic aircraft . Their aerobatic routine has been shown in Ecuador , Brazil , England , Belgium , United States , Canada , Israel , France , Peru and Bolivia , among others . Aircraft . Pitts S2A . 1981 - 1990 The Air Force acquired models S - 2A and S - 2S ( for the plane alone ) . This agile biplane - American made - is powered by a 200 hp Lycoming engine . The S - 2S with a 260 hp engine . The Halcones used the Pitts for about 400 events in country and abroad . In those years , the prestige gained in Chile by pilots of the Squad quickly transcended borders , and they received many invitations to international events , as following : The last presentation was made on February 25 , 1990 . Extra 300 . 1990 - 2003 The Air Force aware of the new and advancing aeronautic technology decided to replace the old , but romantic biplane ( Pitts ) for a new plane : the Extra 300 . This monoplane - wing media , of German procedure , is powered by a Textron Lycoming engine of 300 hp . 2700 rpm . 6 - cylinder and a 3 - propeller blades of wood covered with carbon fiber . Among its main features that we can highlight is a two - seater plane built of 60 % composite materials and 40 % of metal , load factor and G + 10 - 10 G , roll rate of 360 ° per second , maximum weight 950 kg . It was designed to make all kinds of aerobatic maneuvers , but can only sustain 4 minutes of inverted flight . Around 400 presentations made our Squad with the material Extra 300 in the country ( from Arica to Punta Arenas , as well as Easter Island ) and abroad . The prestige awarded by the " Halcones " made that High Command Institutional receive many invitations , materialized as follows : The last presentation made by the Extra 300 plane was on May 13 , 2012 . The High Aerobatics Squad " Halcones " has achieved many important distinctions with the material Extra 300 , demonstrating that the excellent expertise of the Air Force . Extra 300 L . 2003 - Today . The national and international prestige attained by the High Aerobatics Squad " Halcones " , is due to the excellent professionalism of each of his members and the excellent air material that have been selected for this Squad . Because of the success achieved with the material Extra 300 , the Team began flying the new Extra 300 L . This aircraft is the modification of the old Extra , just perfected . Undoubtedly , the acquisition of this new material will allow us to better confront our future challenges . This low - wing monoplane , of German origin , is powered by a Textron Lycoming engine of 300 hp . 2700 rpm . 6 - cylinder and 4 - propeller blades of wood coated with carbon fibre . Among its main features that we can highlight is a two - seater plane was built in 60 % of composite materials and 40 % of metal , load factor and G + 10 - 10 G , why roll of 420 ° per second , in the silencer tailpipe , maximum weight 950 kg . , designed to make all kinds of acrobatics , but still with only 4 minute inverted flight time . The first presentation material Extra 300 L was the February 29 , 2003 . Obtained awards . During his 31 years of High Aerobatics Squad " Halcones ( Hawks ) " has visited countries like Ecuador , Brazil , Canada , USA , England , Belgium , Israel , France and Peru . Best Air Display . This prize was awarded in the city of Springfield , Illinois , USA , 1990 , and in honor of the presentation made with by the new aircraft , The Extra - 300 . The High Aerobatics Squad " Halcones ( Hawks ) " Team was the first to use this aircraft for their demonstrations . This recognition made raise even more the name from the Squad , as it was obtained only one year experience in the Extra - 300 . Sir Douglas Bader . This prize was awarded in the second visit to England Squad of the International Air Tattoo in 1993 . On this occasion , the Hawkss again captivated the public , this being the most important prize which is given in this festival . Best Individual Flying Demonstration . In 1993 , during participation in the International Air Tattoo in England and get the prize for best presentation of a Team abroad , the airplane " only " training was recognized with the distinction as " Best Individual Presentation . " 50 anniversary of the USAF . As part of the ceremony for the commemoration of the U . S . Air Force in 1997 , the High Aerobatics Squad " Halcones ( Hawks ) " was invited to participate in the celebration with the best Team of the world , in recognition of his brilliant career . 50 anniversary of IAF . The year 1998 and during the 50° anniversary of the Israel Air Force , the High Aerobatics Squad " Halcones ( Hawks ) " was invited to participate in this event , thanks to it , big professionalism and quality it give distinguished all these years . Ives Duval . This is the most important prize of our Squad . Retrieved in the town of Evreux , France , in July 1998 , during the First World Championship Patrol Acrobat , held to mark the centenary of the Aeroclub de France . In this festival were invited thirteen countries with their respective Teams acrobatics , and our Squad was chosen as the " Best of the Best " . This recognition is enhanced because the same pilots participants had an important task of electing the winner Team . The award was handed over by French Defence Minister , accompanied by the Commander in Chief of the Air Force that country . Incidents . On August 8 , 2007 the number 5 plane piloted by Captain Mario Costa had to make an emergency landing because it hit another plane in the group during an exercise . At landfall , the plane hit a demolished a parked vehicle , the pilot was rescued without injuries . On November 9 , 2011 , during a routine training exercise on " El Bosque " , and after a tour across the country , pilot N°3 , Lieutenant Cristián Padilla , 28 years old , crashed on his aircraft ( Extra - 300L ) , resulting on the death of the pilot . The exact causes of the accident are still being investigated .