Red Checkers
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The Red Checkers are the aerobatic/precision flying Team of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Checkers fly the Pacific Aerospace CT-4E Airtrainer. Previous aircraft used were the CT4B and North American Harvard (T-6). Until the year 1994 the Checkers were based at Wigram. Aircraft used by the team had a nose painted in a red and white checkered pattern, but this has now been reduced to a small checkered stripe.
The team is known for its mirror flying displays. It is the only RNZAF team to have a sustained history, the "Jetabatic" de Havilland Vampire team and "Kiwi Red" A-4 Skyhawk team lasted only a few years.
Red Checker pilots are senior flying instructors from the RNZAF Central Flying School and the Pilot Training Squadron situated at RNZAF Base Ohakea.
[edit] Incidents
Squadron Leader Nick Cree was killed when the CT-4 training aircraft he was flying hit the ground while practicing aerial display manoeuvres near RNZAF Base Ohakea on 14 January 2010.[1]
On 1 March 2010 two aircraft touched during training with one aircraft incurring minor damage. The Red Checkers have been grounded for the rest of the season.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Michael Forbes and Dave Burgess (15 January 2010). "Pilot gave life '100 per cent'". The Dominion Post. http://www.stuff.co.nz/3231571. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ^ "Red Checkers grounded after latest accident". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. 1 March 2010. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10629292. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Red Checkers |
- Central Flying School at the RNZAF website
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