Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 11, 2007 17:29:37 GMT 12
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
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