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.
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Roulette One
Squadron Leader Jay Tuffley, 41, grew up in Geraldton, WA and began flying when he was just 16 years old.
Roulette Two
Flight Lieutenant Mark Keritz, 31, grew up in Vermont South, Victoria and began flying at the age of 16.
Roulette Three
FLTLT Daniel Barclay, is from Caloundra, Queensland. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 2005 and has over 4,000 hours flying experience.
Roulette Four
FLTLT Darren Wong grew up on the Gold Coast, QLD and joined the Air Training Corps (Air Force Cadets) at age 13. Darren has over 3800 flying hours experience.
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.
Roulette Six
Flight Lieutenant Daniel Price, 36, was born in Brisbane. After joining the RAAF in 2000, he studied at the Australian Defence Force Academy, earning degrees in Technology and Aeronautical Engineering
Roulette Seven
Flight Lieutenant Daniel Armstrong, 28 grew up in Wilberforce, NSW, and joined the Air Force as a direct entry officer in 2011. Daniel has over 2000 military flying hours and this is his first season with the Roulettes.
