The Roulettes Visit Indonesia

Roulettes fly over one of the many volcanoes that populate the countryside on their way to Jakarta.

19 November 2010 -- The Roulettes visit Indonesia to visit the Aerobatic Display Team called the Jupiters. The intent is to show the Indonesian display team the way the Roulettes do business and exchange ideas on technique and safety in regard to the performance of an aerial display.

The Roulettes are the Royal Australian Air Force’s aerobatic display team based at RAAF Base East Sale. They will perform a mixture of ‘high show’ and ‘special venue’ displays in 6 Pilatus PC-9A aircraft, a two-seat single-engine turboprop aircraft that is the advanced training aircraft of the Australian Defence Force. The PC-9A, designed by Pilatus Switzerland and built under license by Hawker de Havilland in Sydney, Victoria, and was introduced to the Air Force in 1987.

Throughout the display each pilot will maintain their aircraft only 3m from each other, using only hand eye coordination and flying at speeds up to 590km/h.

The team comprises seven members, six of whom fly the display and Roulette Seven who provides commentary from the ground at the location and will be available to answer questions on the Roulettes and their display.

Roulettes in a holding pattern on arrival to Jakarta.

Lieutenant Colonel Pamot Sinaga of the Jupiters aerobatic display team gets fitted for a flight with the Roulettes by Corporal Jason Dangerfield.

Corporal Mapleson cleans the canopy of the Roulettes aircraft before flight.

From left: Corporals Mapleson and Kendall clean the canopy of the Roulettes aircraft before the show in Jakarta.

Major Budi Susro or the Jupitors prepared to fly with one of the RAAF Roulettes. Corporal Doug Leckie gives the thumbs up.

The ground crew stand ready to assist with pre-taxi checks as the Roulettes start engines.

The Roulettes and Jupiters pilots together at Jakarta after a flying display. Jupiters from left: Major Budi Susro, Lieutenant Colonel Kamot Sinaga and Major Onesmu.

The Roulettes and Jupiters join hands for a quick photo.

Australia DoD