Red Checkers
| Red Checkers | |
|---|---|
|
Red Checkers Air Trainers in formation | |
| Active | 1967-1973, 1980-2015. |
| Country |
 New Zealand |
| Branch |
 Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Type | Aerobatic display team |
| Role | Display team |
| Size | Seven pilots |
| Garrison/HQ | Central Flying School RNZAF, RNZAF Base Ohakea |
| Nickname(s) | The Checkers |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Disbanded | January 2015 |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol | Red and White checkers |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Trainer | CT-4E Airtrainer |
The Red Checkers was 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.
In 1973 the team was disbanded due to a world fuel crisis but was formed again in 1980.
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's Central Flying School and Pilot Training Squadron situated at RNZAF Base Ohakea.
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 were grounded for the rest of the season.[2]
Disbandment
The Red Checkers display team was disbanded following the arrival of the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II and retirement of the CT-4 Airtrainer. The new name for the display team will be the Black Falcons who will fly the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, they will commence their first display in 2016.
References
- ↑ Michael Forbes and Dave Burgess (15 January 2010). "Pilot gave life '100 per cent'". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
- ↑ "Red Checkers grounded after latest accident". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Red Checkers. |
- Central Flying School at the RNZAF website
