1. Displays
  2. Air Force Roulettes

Air Force Roulettes
  1. Displays
  2. Air Force Roulettes

Air Force Roulettes

The Roulettes are the Royal Australian Air Force's aerobatic display team. They were established in 1970 following the success of earlier teams, the Red Sales and Telstars.

The Roulettes had their first public display at RAAF Base Point Cook in 1970. The team flew a Macchi MB-326 aircraft, which was replaced by the Pilatus PC-9/A (the Air Force's new pilot training aircraft) in 1989. Since then, the Roulettes have become a six aircraft, seven member team which completes two display seasons each year (a season runs for six months).

The Pilatus PC-9/A retired from Roulettes operations in March 2019 and was replaced by Pilatus PC-21 – one of the most advanced training aircraft in the world.

Roulette displays are flown all around Australia and consist of a number of manoeuvres flown in various formations at low level. They are an extension of formation, aerobatics, low level flying, and airmanship skills, taught to Air Force pilots and developed throughout their career.

The Roulettes fly as low as 250 feet (80 m) at speeds of up to 370 knots  to 685km/h and pilots can experience up to 6 ‘G', or 6 times, the force of gravity during a display. Flying as close as three metres apart, the team showcases the level of visual judgement and hand-eye coordination that pilots in the Air Force are able to achieve.

Roulette pilots are Qualified Flying Instructors who work at the Central Flying School, based at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria. Between displays, they teach other Air Force pilots to become instructors.

To learn more about the Roulettes (including display locations, dates and times), follow us on Facebook.

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Air Force Squadron Leader Jamie Braden from the Roulettes of Central Flying School RAAF Base East Sale, team of 2020.

Roulette One

Squadron Leader Jamie Braden, 41, grew up in the Yarra Valley in Victoria and began flying when he was 16 years old.

Air Force Squadron Leader Gavin Oakey from the Roulettes of Central Flying School, team of 2020.

Roulette Two

SQNLDR Gavin Oakley grew up in Canberra, ACT. He commenced flying with a local flying school at age 17.

Flight Lieutenant Daniel Barclay from the Roulettes of Central Flying School, team of 2020.

Roulette Three

FLTLT Daniel Barclay grew up in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, QLD. He began flying ultralights at the age of 14 out of Caloundra Airport, where he first developed a passion for flying.

Flight Lieutenant Scott Tavasci from the Roulettes of Central Flying School, team of 2020.

Roulette Four

FLTLT Scott Tavasci grew up in Maryborough, QLD and began flying with the Air Training Corps at age 14

Flight Lieutenant Lachlan Hazeldine from the Roulettes of Central Flying School, team of 2020.

Roulette Five

Flight Lieutenant Lachie Hazeldine, 33, grew up in Korumburra, Victoria and joined the RAAF in 2001 completing a degree in Aviation Technology at the Australian Defence Force Academy.

Flight Lieutenant Mark Keritz from the Roulettes of Central Flying School, team of 2020.

Roulette Six

Flight Lieutenant Mark Keritz, 32, grew up in Vermont South, Victoria and began flying at age of 16.

Flight Lieutenant Aimee Heal from the Roulettes of Central Flying School, team of 2020.

Roulette Seven

FLTLT Aimee Heal, 29, grew up in Bundaberg, Queensland. She starting flying at the local aero club at 16 years old.