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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 4, 2014 17:18:43 GMT 12
I just saw on the RNZAF's Facebook page that today saw the final formation flight of the PAC CT-4E Airtrainers. I assume this was as part of the disbandment of Pilot training Squadron this week. They had five Airtrainers in formation.
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Dec 4, 2014 19:30:55 GMT 12
oh...
not even a last post farewell display at one summer airshow?
Have we seen the last display then?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 4, 2014 19:55:03 GMT 12
Looks like it.
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Post by ErrolC on Dec 4, 2014 20:24:26 GMT 12
So when was the last public Red Checkers team display?
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Post by TS on Dec 4, 2014 21:38:21 GMT 12
Omaka 2013 ? sorry if wrong I was not there....
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Post by ErrolC on Dec 4, 2014 22:35:24 GMT 12
Omaka 2013 ? sorry if wrong I was not there.... That's the last one I can think of. The team wasn't formed for 2013/14 season. There have been single aircraft displays. e.g. at Balloons Over Waikato March 2014.
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Post by ErrolC on Dec 5, 2014 15:15:19 GMT 12
@nzairforce Airtrainers formate over the Manawatu for the last time. The a/c will be replaced by the T-6C Texan II. t.co/Ellp3v6nad
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Post by beagle on Dec 5, 2014 16:55:21 GMT 12
So does this all mean there will be no pilots getting trained until first course on the T6C in 2016
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2014 17:29:34 GMT 12
I know two pilots who just graduated mod 2 yesterday, so if that's the case they may be waiting some time to fly!
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Post by suthg on Dec 5, 2014 19:06:30 GMT 12
Unless they are going on to helis or multi engine roles.
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Post by raymond on Dec 5, 2014 19:22:21 GMT 12
Unless they are going on to helis or multi engine roles. Apart from the T6 all the other aircraft left in the RNZAF are multi or helo's
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 5, 2014 20:57:08 GMT 12
They still have the Harvard and Tiger Moth. Old School Course maybe? Then onto the Spitfire and Avenger? And ultimately the Venom.
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Post by isc on Dec 5, 2014 21:08:21 GMT 12
The pilots will probably end up in a room some where, and fly drones. isc
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Post by tbf25o4 on Dec 8, 2014 11:14:00 GMT 12
Greetings, compared with the fanfare that saw the Harvard depart from service in June 1977 after 36 years of service, the final formal flight of the Airtainers at an overcast day at Ohakea on 4 December was a complete contrast. Only a handful of spectators watched the four airtrainers (there were to be five, but one went U/S) make a couple of passes over the base before landing, taxying in and shutting down. Drinks and nibbles were served in No.2 Hangar The last four on the flight were NZ1988, NZ1989, NZ1991, NZ1995
As I understand it the airtrainers will continue to fly to complete the current pilot course that is slightly behind in schedule. the next pilot courses for 2015 will be flown in RAAF PC9s at Pearce Air Force base under an arrangement between the two air forces, prior to the use of the Texan IIs in 2016
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Post by flyjoe180 on Dec 8, 2014 11:54:13 GMT 12
Well that's a shame, after all those years of service and public display flying they are simply flown over a Base and parked up.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 8, 2014 11:55:44 GMT 12
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Post by atea on Dec 8, 2014 13:00:10 GMT 12
They came over Palmerston North in formation and there were only four at that point. The next day one of the T6C's was doing circuits at Palmerston North Airport. On that evidence it seems like they won't miss the Airtrainers too much.
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Post by tbf25o4 on Dec 9, 2014 13:56:20 GMT 12
Ah the power of propaganda! The photo's posted on facebook were probably taken during the practice or early in the day as I have photographic evidence of only four taxying in after the display, and as stated saw no.5 taxying back in before they took off shortly before 3.00pm A pity there was no great fanfare as they were in service CT4-B/CT4-E for 37 years, one year longer than the harvards
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Post by zulukilo on Dec 9, 2014 16:01:13 GMT 12
Nope, no propaganda. The formation did have 5 aircraft. The fifth joined the four near the end of their route for the Ohakea flypast.
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Post by zulukilo on Dec 9, 2014 16:07:23 GMT 12
Also, the main formal farewell was held in the mess later on with many current and past air force personnel in attendance with speeches etc.
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