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The Royal New Zealand Air Force Black Falcons aerobatic team is returning to Christchurch as part of its nationwide display season, beginning with a performance marking the start of the Air Training Corps National Aviation Course.
Christchurch will again feature as a key location in the season, which also includes displays at Whanganui’s Vintage Weekend and the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival, and other events around the country.
Christchurch residents can view the display at New Brighton beach on Saturday 14th February, the time has yet to be confirmed.
The season will conclude with a display at the Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow in April.
This season will be the first flying with the aerobatic team for three pilots.
They are Lieutenant Commander Stephen Knowles from Wellington, Squadron Leader Matt Stapp from Timaru and Christchurch, and Squadron Leader Richard O’Flaherty from Upper Hutt.
Lieutenant Commander Knowles is the first pilot from the Royal New Zealand Navy to be part of the Black Falcons.
From left to right: Squadron Leader Richard O’Flaherty (Falcon 4), Flying Officer Matt Biggar (Team Support Officer) (Falcon 8), Lieutenant Commander Stephen Knowles (Falcon 2), Squadron Leader Paul Stockley (Falcon 1), Flight Lieutenant James Erskine (Falcon 6), Squadron Leader Matt Stapp (Falcon 3), Warrant Officer Darren Smith (Falcon 7), Squadron Leader Paul Harrison (Falcon 5).
The Black Falcons recently gained the official approval required to begin their display season.
“This was a huge achievement by the team, who can now crack into display flying at numerous events across the country,” said Squadron Leader Stapp, who is Officer Commanding Central Flying School as well as being one of the team this year.
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RNZAF Qualified Flying Instructors are eligible to become display pilots as a high point in their flying careers.
The display role is undertaken alongside their fulltime RNZAF duties with Central Flying School and No. 14 Squadron, both based at RNZAF Base Ohakea.
Squadron Leader Stapp said the Black Falcons display routines aim to “inspire and educate” and demonstrate “professionalism rather than stardom”.
“Because of the RNZAF’s size and resources, display flying will never be the primary role for any of our pilots, so our approach is simple but professional, rather than complex,” he said.
The Black Falcons team was formed in 2015 when the RNZAF took delivery of the Texan II T 6C trainer aircraft, with the five aircraft aerobatic team created shortly after.
The team was established to engage with the public and showcase the New Zealand Defence Force and its personnel.
