By
LS Rachel Irving
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The
Roulettes’ latest member LCDRDavid Walker with the
other members of the elite aerobatic team.
Photo: CPL Katrina Johnson
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For
only the third time in history, a Navy pilot has become a member
of the elite Roulettes aerobatic team.
LCDR David Walker has joined the team as Roulette Four, after
spending two years as a PC9 instructor at No 2 Flying Training
School, RAAF Pearce, and six months as an instructor at the Central
Flying School, RAAF East Sale.
It is the first time Navy has had a pilot as part of the Roulettes
in 13 years, our last Roulette member LEUT Mark Morey-Hype in
1990.
The RAAF Roulettes unveiled their new line-up during their display
at the 20th Anniversary Hamilton Island Race Week in late August.
Remaining in his second season is Roulette Leader SQNLDR Peter
Robinson.
Joining him as Roulette Two, from the RAF, is exchange officer
FLTLT Pat Watts. FLTLT Watts was a flying instructor in the UK
before joining the Central Flying School at Sale. Prior to joining
the Roulettes, he was an instructor at CFS and a solo aerobatics
display pilot.
In his second season as Roulette Three is FLTLT Chris Tulk, also
a former solo aerobatics pilot.
Roulette Five is FLTLT Mark Broadbridge. This is FLTLT Broadbridge’s
second season with the Roulettes, after clocking up over 5000
hours flying experience.
Number Six in the famous aerobatic line-up is FLTLT Paul Bryan.
Although this is FLTLT Bryan’s second season with the team,
this is his first as Roulette Six. Last season he held the position
of Roulette Two.
The voice of the Roulettes’ commentary is Roulette Seven,
FLTLT Pete Geddes. As a PC9 and CT4B pilot instructor at the Central
Flying School, FLTLT Geddes is responsible for team PR and flying
the spare aircraft as well as providing the commentary. This is
his first season with the Roulettes.
LCDR Walker said, “A season with the Roulettes lasts six
months, with each member spending about 18 months with the team.
During this time, the pilot might occupy different formation positions
within the team.”
He spent the first six months of the year as an instructor at
the Central Flying School, and it is from here that the team is
recruited.
A
new Roulette takes about two months to integrate into the team,
firstly flying in two, three and four aircraft formations before
the whole six ship formation is assembled.
LCDR Walker completed a work-up with the team in July, and the
first displays for the July-December 03 season members were held
at More Park, north of Rockhampton, and the Hamilton Island Race
Week in late August.
He described being part of the Roulettes as “great fun”.
“The flying is terrific though you have to work hard to ensure
the displays remain safe and look professional.
“There is not too much room for error when you are flying
head to head,” he said.
With their new line-up well and truly in hand, the team now have
a busy few months ahead of them including performances at the
Indy Car Race at the Gold Coast, the AFL Grand Final and the closing
of the Rugby World Cup.
Now if only they needed a writer....
