The Royal New Zealand Air Force Black Falcons aerobatic display team to perform again after 17 years

The team, which was re-established in 2015, is now equipped with the new Beechcraft T-6C Texan II turboprop trainers

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Black Falcons aerobatic display team will be back thrilling the crowd in 2017.

In fact next year the RNZAF will celebrate its 80th anniversary with an airshow at RNZAF Base Ohakea on Feb. 25-26, 2017. The two-day event will showcase the RNZAF capabilities along with guest aircraft from allied air forces.

The Black Falcons aerobatic display team flying the T-6C Texans will took part to the event too.

The team was formed in 2000 and used five Aermacchi MB-339CB aircraft from No. 14 Squadron, flown by the unit instructors. The Black Falcons performed the first of five displays on Jan. 1, 2000 at the Gisborne Millennium (a worldwide, coordinated series of events celebrating New Year’s Eve in 1999–2000) and the team disbanded later that year.

The team, which was re-established in 2015, is now equipped with the new Beechcraft T-6C Texan II turboprop trainers. Based on the Pilatus PC-9, the T-6 is purpose-built for military training and have the latest technology such as ejection seats, collision-avoidance and ground awareness warning systems, a pressurised cockpit and personal locator beacons for each pilot.

The Black Falcons will perform for the first time at the Wings over Wairarapa Air Show on Feb. 17-19, 2017.

Photo credit: Wikipedia