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The Roulettes Aerobatic Display Team

The Roulettes are the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) formation aerobatic display team that showcase Air Force flying skills to the Australian public. Team members are flying instructors at the Air Force’s Central Flying School. The Roulettes currently fly Pilatus PC-9/A aircraft.

In 1963 a team, known as "The Telstars", was formed, also flying de Havilland Vampire T33 aircraft. The team converted from the Vampire to the Macchi (Italian-designed Aermacchi MB-326H) in 1968 the team performed for the first time in a new aircraft. In 1970 the team was renamed "Roulettes" from one of the early manoeuvres performed by the first team. Two Macchis flew in opposite directions round a horizontal circle and crossed in front of the crowd in a routine that was called the "roulette".

In 1989, the Macchi was replaced by the Swiss-built Pilatus PC-9/A aircraft as the RAAF’s pilot training plane. During that year, pairs of Macchis and PC-9/As presented displays around the country while the team converted to the PC-9/A. A six-ship PC-9/A team "The Rouletts" debuted at Mt Gambier in March 1990 and the flying team composition has remained the same since. A seventh member coordinates the public relations, provides commentary during the shows and flies the spare aircraft.

Updated On: 18.10.15

 



The Roulettes In Singapore 2012