Stellar teamwork across the sky
The Midnight Hawks, the Air Force aerobatic team’s composition has had several changes in season 2025.
In season 2025, the Midnight Hawks’ team leader is Captain Ville Kirijatshenko with Captain Arttu Majuri flying on the left wing and Captain Lauri Lappalainen on the right wing. Captain Petteri Wahlgren continues to fly the slot position. Captain Ville Mattila has joined the team as the rookie and Captain Juho Tervahartiala has become the team supervisor. All the pilots on the display team serve as instructor pilots at the Air Force Academy, Fighter Squadron 41, and perform formation flying alongside their main activities.
The team has emerged from their intensive training period, having flown the display sequences in variable conditions. The learning curve during training has been clearly visible, Kirijatshenko says.
- We have aimed to fly a couple of sorties a day and do simulator training on top of that. Our days have been full with an added load, which is good because it fuses us well together. At first, you’re completely out of your comfort zone, somewhat rushed and busy with your other daily duties. But now for three weeks of intensive training, we have been able to focus almost solely on display flying, Kirijatshenko recounts before the beginning of the season.
The season’s display routine remains the same as last year. The flying team line-up has seen several changes so the familiar sequence eases the acquisition process for the new members. The sequence includes manoeuvres such as the line abreast loop, waterfall, vortex and, naturally, the Midnight Hawks signature - tight diamond.
New Roles
The new team leader Kirijatshenko says that his current role differs significantly from the left wing position he flew for two seasons. The wing position is physically more demanding than flying the lead aircraft, whereas in the latter role the pressure is more mental.
When you reach a certain comfort level on the wing, it will no longer burden you mentally, at least in my case. It’s incredibly chill and enjoyable. Air displays are in their own class apart from training. You have a lot of built-up excitement during the show - call it beast mode or flow or whatever, he describes.
As the team leader you are responsible for the team and the entire performance, planning and execution.
The mental load is heavier than the physical demands. It comes from preparation for the performance and the decision regarding which sequence to fly. In the leader’s role you can’t merely follow others - you have to be on top of things all the time. It involves a lot of background work that may not be evident to the other team members. The leader also carries the responsibility if something goes wrong, he adds.
Last season’s double sevens Majuri and Lappalainen will also be seen in new roles. Majuri’s expectations are high, especially for the air shows of the season, and he describes the training session as challenging and fun.
Lappalainen thinks it’s awesome to get down to action after spending two years on the team.
- I may not have reached a flow state yet, but I have been able to enjoy what we’re doing and it feels great. The first couple of weeks I was more or less in my zone of discomfort. In itself it was also a learning experience and made you keep your eyes open. Now walking to my plane, I feel I know what to do.
Mattila who has started as the team’s seven, or commentator, is responsible for display commentaries, music and social media production as well as general duties of the team.
I’ve had a chance to sit in a plane and feel the atmosphere. Many who have flown with the team say it was the best time of their career. And looking at the new flying team members and what it’s like for them, I can feel my anticipation building, he says.
The team supervisor supports the new team leader and team in their work. He shares his experiences and tips and oversees the displays from the ground and gives the team feedback by radio.
- Though it’s hard to give up flying in the Midnight Hawks, I still feel excited that I’m able to share what I’ve learned with the new team. In this line of work, we have a lot of know-how that hasn’t been written down anywhere but it can be used to support the team. It’s great to see the story go on. There’s no I in team – the display team continues forward as a self-sufficient unit, Tervahartiala says.
Although roles and people change, the essence of display flying stays the same: in aerobatic flying, teamwork and collaboration are highlighted. Both are important in the air as well as on the ground.
- This is hard core teamwork. In a pilot’s career, I think the earlier you learn to play on a team, the better you’ll probably do, Kirijatshenko describes.
Season 2025 – air displays at home and in Italy
During the season, the Midnight Hawks will be seen in several national events around Finland. The next display flight will be seen on 14 May at the Careers in Military Aviation Day of Satakunta Air Wing in Pirkkala. General public will also be able to enjoy Midnight Hawks displays for example at the Flag Day of the Defence Forces on 4 June in Kuopio and the main air show of the Finnish Aeronautical Association in Kauhava on 14-15 June. The season culminates with the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team’s 65th Anniversary Air Show in Rivolto, Italy.
The Midnight Hawks welcome all to watch the season’s displays.
- We will also be available at the events. You can give us a nudge if you want to talk or say hello, Majuri says.
Find events on the Finnish Air Force's Display Schedule 2025
Read more about the Midnight Hawks
