RNZAF Black Falcons 2026

The RNZAF Black Falcons are managed by the Central Flying School at Base Ohakea. Every team member is a qualified flying instructor, either from the Central Flying School - which trains new instructors and upholds RNZAF flying standards, or from No. 14 Squadron, where new pilots earn their wings. Their practices and displays are all carried out on top of their full-time instructional duties, which makes their precision in the air even more impressive.

Check back here for updates, season details, and a closer look at the people behind those sharp formations.

2026 Display Schedule

Displays are subject to weather conditions and operational requirements. Event times are approximate due to weather conditions and air traffic.

Visit the team Facebook page(external link) for all the latest information. 

This schedule was last updated on 13 January 2026 at 10.00am. 

Meet the Team

Falcon 1: Squadron Leader Paul Stockley

Paul joined the RNZAF in 1987 and on completion of pilot training was posted to No. 3 Squadron to fly the UH-1H Iroquois helicopter. During several tours on No. 3 Squadron he flew the UH-1H both here and overseas as well as the UH-1N with the US Navy in Antarctica.  Qualifying as a flying instructor in 1996, Paul has since instructed on both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft, including an exchange tour with the Royal Australian Air Force flying the Pilatus PC9/A and full-time service with the Royal Air Force flying the Short Tucano.  He is currently a Central Flying School T-6C Texan II instructor.

Falcon 2: Lieutenant Commander Stephen Knowles

Stephen joined the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in 2012 as a Warfare Officer conducting deployments and exercises throughout New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific, South East Asia and an operational deployment to the Indian Ocean in support of Combined Task Force 150 aboard HMNZS Te Kaha. In 2016, Stephen elected to specialise as a pilot and subsequently completed pilot training on both the T-6C Texan II and A109 Light Utility Helicopter before posting to No. 6 Squadron to fly the SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter. During his four years posted to No. 6 Squadron, Stephen flew off various RNZN ships throughout New Zealand, the South Pacific and South East Asia. Stephen qualified as a Flying Instructor on the T-6C Texan II in 2023 and is currently a Flight Commander at No. 14 Squadron.

Falcon 3: Squadron Leader Matt Stapp

Matt joined the RNZAF in 2007 and completed pilot training on the CT/4E Airtrainer and B200 King Air. He was posted to No. 40 Squadron to fly the C-130H(NZ), spending six years conducting a diverse range of flying, from operational tours in the Middle East, to ice missions to Antarctica, and transport operations throughout the US, Europe and the South Pacific. Matt completed the Flying Instructors Course on the T-6C Texan in 2016 before being posted to No. 42 Squadron where he instructed on the MC-12K King Air as the Operations Flight Commander. Following a posting to Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand as the Air Transport Planner, Matt was appointed Officer Commanding  Central Flying School in 2024 and holds an A-Category Flying Instructor Qualification. This is Matt’s first season with the RNZAF Black Falcons.

Falcon 4: Squadron Leader Richard O’Flaherty

Richard joined the RNZAF in 2007 and completed training as an avionics technician before posting to Auckland where he worked on the P-3K2 Orion. In 2016, he began pilot training on the newly acquired T-6C Texan II and after graduating he was posted to Central Flying School for the  Flying Instructors Course. Upon completion of FIC, Richard was posted to No. 14 Squadron where he spent two and a half years instructing new pilots and a season as the solo display pilot. In 2021, he was posted to RAAF Base Pearce in Perth on a two-year exchange instructing new Royal Australian Air Force and Navy pilots flying the Pilatus PC-21. Richard is currently employed at the Central Flying School as an A-Category Qualified Flying Instructor.

Falcon 5: Squadron Leader Paul Harrison

Married, with two adult children, Skids joined the RNZAF in Jan 2020 after serving with the Royal Air Force for 35 years. Originally a Buccaneer pilot, he became a Hawk T1 QFI and weapons instructor before converting to the Jaguar in 1997. On completion of his FLTCDR tour, he undertook a NATO ground tour in Naples, Italy. He returned to flying duties on the Jaguar before being posted to Oman in 2004 where he flew both the Jaguar and Hawk 203 for five years, whilst performing the role of Fighter Standards Officer. He returned to the Hawk T1 in the UK as an instructor until 2016. His final tour in the RAF was a second NATO tour in Ferrara, Italy. While there, he applied for lateral recruitment and was fortunate to arrive in New Zealand ahead of the COVID pandemic. He flew as Black Falcon 5 for the 2024 season and returns in the same position for this year.

Falcon 6: Support member – Flight Lieutenant James Erskine

James joined the RNZAF in 2015 and completed the inaugural T6-C Texan II Pilot Course in 2017. He was initially posted to No. 3 Squadron, where he flew both the A109 Light Utility Helicopter and NH90 Medium Utility Helicopter. Following this, James served with the United Nations in the Middle East, contributing to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation as a UN Military Observer. After qualifying as a Flying Instructor on the T-6C Texan II, James is currently the Course Commander for Pilot Course 4 at No. 14 Squadron, responsible for training the next generation of RNZAF pilots. His passion for aviation extends beyond instruction, and he looks forward to inspiring future aviators through precision flying and teamwork with the Black Falcons.

Falcon 7: Team Manager – Warrant Officer Darren Smith

Smithy joined the RNZAF in 1990 and became a General Service Instructor in 1991. In 2000 he applied and successfully remustered to Helicopter Crewman in 2001, completing his helicopter conversion course at Hobsonville in the UH-I Iroquois. During his career he has conducted training and operations both throughout New Zealand and internationally with deployments to Antarctica, Europe, East Timor (2), Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Samoa. Commencing in 2012 Smithy completed several ground postings and in 2019 returned to a flying role, converting to the A109 in early 2020. With a passion for growing our future instructors he moved to his current position at Central Flying School in January 2024. This position involves monitoring and maintaining Aircrew Instructional Standards for Qualified Aircrew Instructors within both the RNZAF and RNZN.

Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircraft

The RNZAF Black Falcons fly the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II , a two-pilot aircraft powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68 turboprop engine capable of producing speeds up to 316 knots (585kmh) at altitudes up to 31,000 feet. It is equipped with Martin-Baker ejection seats and a modern integrated avionics suite with a Head Up Display and Flight Management System.

It is a purpose-built military training aircraft, equipped with a glass cockpit, a full suite of communications-navigation equipment, a pressurised cockpit and can withstand ‘G’ forces from +7.0 to -3.5, making it ideal for close-formation aerobatics.

The T-6C is used to train RNZAF and RNZN pilots on their ‘Wings’ course, and is operated by No. 14 Squadron based at Ohakea. It is also operated by Central Flying School at Ohakea to train new RNZAF and RNZN flying instructors. It is supported by two flight simulators and avionics desktop trainers.

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