Red Checkers in Nelson

[Dave Homewood]

Fearless flyers to show their stuff above Nelson
By KIRAN CHUG - The Nelson Mail | Friday, 9 March 2007

Eleven minutes flashes by when you are hanging upside down over Tasman Bay, doing barrel rolls and sky loops in a small plane.

Or so Royal New Zealand Air Force senior instructor, Squadron Leader Kennedy Speirs would have you believe.

On Thursday Sqdn Ldr Speirs, a member of the RNZAF Red Checkers aerobatics team, took part in a trial run of the airshow planned for Nelson's skies on Saturday.

The display will be part of a free open day being held by the RNZAF at Motueka Aerodrome from 10am to 4pm.

The RNZAF has been at the aerodrome this week for Operation Wiseowl, a twice-yearly training exercise which tests student pilots in aircraft operation, which ends on March 15.

The Red Checkers thrilled onlookers on Motueka's High St on Thursday as they whizzed overhead before heading to Kaiteriteri to rehearse their full 11-minute show.

They completed one more run-through before landing and watching a video of their efforts to ensure they were looking good for Saturday.

Keeping in formation with four other planes took a lot of concentration when you were hanging sideways, Sqdn Ldr Speirs said. Pilots couldn't afford to feel queasy or get nervous.

"We are working our butts off up there, and we are dripping with sweat when we get on the ground."

Sqdn Ldr Speirs, also known as Red Checker number six, will provide spectators with a commentary of the display which runs from 11.30am to 12pm on Saturday and fly a spare aircraft around the show.

After performing in front of crowds on Saturday, the aerobatics team will leave Motueka at 1.40pm to fly over Nelson's Collingwood St Trolley Derby returning at 2.30pm.

Sqdn Ldr Steve Hunt said a mini air force base would be set up at the aerodrome so visitors could walk through the officers' mess and get a taste of what it would be like to be deployed overseas.

Civilian shows offering activities such as skydiving and parachuting would be held throughout the day alongside the RNZAF displays.

From
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/nelsonmail/3987351a6510.html

[Dave Homewood]

Here's another piece from the event

Aerial acrobat has Motueka roots
By VANESSA PHILLIPS - The Nelson Mail | Monday, 12 March 2007

Motueka had a special link for Red Checkers pilot Flight Lieutenant Oliver Bint as he soared above the town on Saturday, entertaining the crowd with daring manoeuvres.

The precision flying routine was just one of a number of aerial displays from Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel that kept hundreds of people entertained at an air force open day at Motueka Aerodrome.

The Red Checkers also flew over the trolley derby in Nelson on Saturday afternoon.

The open day was part of Operation Wiseowl, a twice-yearly training exercise for military student pilots from Ohakea airbase in the lower North Island.

The exercise, which continues until Thursday, was last held at the Motueka Aerodrome in 2002.

When the Red Checkers landed following their flight display on Saturday they were greeted by applause from the crowd, and Flt Lieutenant Bint found himself accosted by youngsters keen to get his autograph.

He grew up in Marlborough but his helicopter pilot father and grandparents were from Motueka, and his uncle and aunt still live in the town.

"It's fantastic flying around such a nice place," he said.

Flt Lieutenant Bint has been in the RNZAF since 1995, and recently joined the Red Checkers, which was formed 40 years ago.

"It's a really exciting type of flying."

Although now based in the Pilot Training Squadron, he has served in East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq, flying helicopters and Hercules.

"The air force is pretty good. You get to go to exotic places."

Saturday's open day was a chance for the public to find out more about the RNZAF and talk with staff. There was also plenty for children to do, from sitting in the cockpit of various aircraft to trying on flight gear.

[Dave Homewood]

Whoops, the above was quoted from
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/nelsonmail/3990249a6510.html