Black Falcons
| Black Falcons | |
|---|---|
 A Beechcraft T-6 Texan II like the ones used by the Black Falcons. | |
| Active | January – December 2000 2016–present |
| Country |  New Zealand |
| Type | Aerobatic Display Team |
| Size | 5x Beechcraft T-6 Texan II |
| Garrison/HQ | RNZAF Base Ohakea |
| Mascot(s) | New Zealand Falcon |
| Equipment | Beechcraft T-6 Texan II |
The Black Falcons is the aerobatic display team of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Original formation
The team was first formed in 2000 using five Aermacchi MB-339CB aircraft from No. 14 Squadron, flown by 14 Squadron instructors. The first of five displays was held on 1 January 2000 at the Gisborne Millennium and the team disbanded later that year.[1]
Reinstatement
In January 2016 Central Flying School (CFS) began flying 11 T-6C Texan IIs, sharing the aircraft with No. 14 Squadron. The previous RNZAF Red Checkers display team was disbanded, and the newly formed group was named The RNZAF Aerobatic Team - The Black Falcons. The team is made up of Qualified Flying Instructors of the Central Flying School and No.14 Squadron. The bulk of the team generally come from CFS, with the Team Leader (Black Falcon 1), normally also holding the post of Officer Commanding Central Flying School.
The new team's first display is scheduled for February 2017.[2][3][4]
References
- ^ "No. 14 Squadron Display Teams".
- ^ "New air force planes 'a huge step up'".
- ^ "SunLive - Black Falcons named in Tauranga - The Bay's News First".
- ^ Hartigan, Brian (17 November 2015). "Black Falcons to feature at Ohakea Air Show".