Introducing the Finnish Air Force’s 2025 Hawk display pilot

The Hawk solo display pilot in season 2025 is Captain Tuomo Lilleberg of the Air Force Academy.

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do in the Air Force?

I’m Captain Tuomo Lilleberg and I work as an air combat instructor at Fighter Squadron 41. I’ve advanced through a fairly usual career path in the Air Force to my current position. During my conscript and cadet years, I flew the Valmet L-70 Vinka. After primary flight training, I was trained to fly the Hawk and then moved on to Karelia Air Wing for Hornet training. A few years ago, I transitioned from Karelia Air Wing to the Air Force Academy to this job.

What sparked your interest in a career at the Air Force?

In my family, we have always been interested in aircraft, and I think my interest started there. I haven’t actually been a plane spotter but I did play a lot of aircraft games as a teenager. And I still play them with my brother’s kids these days. 

After high school I decided to apply to the pilot reserve officer course and to my surprise I got in. On completion of conscript service, I was selected to continue to the Military Academy and become an officer. 

This is your first time as the Hawk solo display pilot. What type of sequence will we see this year?  

On our flight instructor course, we had to plan an aerobatic sequence for the Vinka. And we also rehearsed it, so the principles are familiar to me, and during my career I have seen many Hawk solos. Display flying with the Vinka and the Hawk is completely different, though. The aircraft’s manoeuvrability, capability and range are all on a totally different level. Last year’s display pilot, Captain Eemeli Vähäsöyrinki, had an impressive sequence. I felt that as a young display pilot, I was unlikely to be able to improve it. For this reason, I decided to fly the same sequence as Captain Vähäsöyrinki did last year and gain experience with it. 

Please describe the Hawk in display flying - what are its advantages and special features? 

The Hawk’s advantages in display flying are definitely excellent manoeuvrability and predictability. The speed range of the Hawk is great for display flying, and the turn radiuses are not too large so the sequence stays close to the audience. 

What is your favourite manoeuvre in the sequence?

The solo may look familiar to the spectators from last year. My favourite manoeuvres are the ones flown towards the crowd that seem to come really close from the audience’s perspective. Examples of these include the Half Cuban and Half Spectacles. 

The Half Cuban is executed in the sequence by flying first away from the crowd, after which you perform an Immelman-like manoeuvre gliding towards the audience. The Half Spectacles is first flown low towards the crowd and then you pull up vertically and from there, after an aileron roll, you do a split-S.

How does it feel to get to fly the solo in season 2025? Which event are you most looking forward to?

I’m truly excited about this opportunity! It’s a great honour to get to fly the Hawk in front of the crowds. Display flying is something completely different in my career, and it has been fascinating to practise it. The air show I’m most looking forward to is the main air show of the Finnish Aeronautical Association in June in Kauhava. I think we’ll see be a big crowd there!

All displays can be found on the display calendar 2025.

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