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).
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 250 knots (460 km/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, 38, grew up in Geraldton, WA and began flying when he was just 16 years old.
Roulette Two
Flight Lieutenant Daniel Price, 35, was born in Brisbane. Daniel has over 3000 hours of military flying time, more than 1000 of which are on the PC9/A.
Roulette Three
Flight Lieutenant Owen Rose, 39, is from Miles, Queensland. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1996 and has over 3,000 hours flying experience.
Roulette Four
Flight Lieutenant Scott Tavasci, 40, grew up in Maryborough, QLD and began flying with the Air Training Corps at age 14. Scott holds a Masters of Aviation management and has over 4700 hours of military flying experience.
Roulette Five
Flight Lieutenant Des Hales, 39, grew up in Boyupbrook, WA and started flying at a young age. Des has over 4000 military and civilian flying hours and this is his fourth season flying with the Roulettes.
Roulette Six
Flight Lieutenant Allister Berryman, 37, was born in Launceston, Tasmania, and began flying at the age of 16. This is his 4th season with the Roulettes and first as R6.
Roulette Seven
Flight Lieutenant Daniel Armstrong, 26, 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.
