‘Career barrel roll’: First Navy pilot joins RNZAF aerobatic Black Falcons team

“When I began my career with the Navy in 2012 as a warfare officer, I didn’t think for one minute I would end up a pilot, flying aerobatics with the Black Falcons.

“However, here I am 14 years later, a helicopter pilot, a qualified flying instructor and aerobatics display team member.”

This summer is the Wellingtonian’s first season with the Black Falcons. The five-strong team, flying the T-6C Texan II aircraft, is made up of qualified flying instructors from the Central Flying School and No.14 Squadron at RNZAF Base Ohakea.

When not displaying, they are responsible for training flying instructors and new RNZAF and RNZN pilots.

Lieutenant Commander Knowles said his career focus shifted from being a warfare officer after watching naval aviators land Seasprite helicopters on board HMNZS Te Kaha in moving seas.

“I saw the precision and skill required to be a helicopter pilot and I thought, that’s something I’d really like to do.”

After discussing this career change with a supportive command team, he was accepted into the 18-month pilot training course at RNZAF Base Ohakea in 2017 learning to fly the Texan.

He then moved to No. 3 Squadron and began learning to fly the A-109 helicopter and in 2019 he was flying Seasprites from his former ships.

After four year of flying Seasprites, he switched to flying instructing and became Flight Commander at No. 14 Squadron.

Last year he was selected for the Black Falcons. Many pilots aspired to be a part of the team and it was “a huge amount of fun”, he said.

The Black Falcons train individually, then in the 1-2-3 formation known as Pelican and 4-5 known as Synchro, before they all come together as a five-ship formation.

The individual aircraft can be just five metres apart when in formation.

Formation aerobatic flying could be disorientating at first, but pilots got used to it pretty quickly and trusted the timing and precision of their teammates, he said.

“Formation aerobatic flying is exhilarating, and if I’m honest, I still get a bit nervous before each display, but that keeps you on your toes.”

Lieutenant Commander Knowles said the purpose of the displays was twofold.

“Firstly, we want to inspire and educate – hopefully reaching the new generation of pilots and aviators – and secondly, we want to show the flying skills of the Air Force, and Navy.

“It’s wonderful hearing from the public how much they enjoyed the display – it makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

The Black Falcons’ next scheduled performances are on 14 February, when they will perform a flypast over the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival and an aerobatic display above Christchurch’s New Brighton for the Coast to Coast race.