Roulettes set for a week in Queensland skies

From the crowds of Brisbane's Royal Queensland Show (Ekka), to regional Queensland and the Gold Coast, the RAAF Roulettes will spend this week flying across the Sunshine State.

After performing at the Ekka on Wednesday, the team travelled to Rockhampton for flying practice on Thursday, ahead of Pacific Airshow Gold Coast from August 14 to 16.

The few minutes the Roulettes spend in the sky are the product of weeks of planning, practice and a level of trust that allows six aircraft to operate in close formation at high speed.

Roulette pilot, FLTLT Brodie Sweeney, said the foundation of that trust was skill, commitment to improvement and integrity.

“You need to have a high level of trust in the other pilots. Any formation flying relies on a contract – normally for us it is Roulette 6 will avoid 5, who will avoid 4 and so on,” FLTLT Sweeney said.

“We don’t always get it right, but we have to own up to mistakes so that we can debrief and improve as a team.”

For FLTLT Sweeney, the final stop of the week will be particularly special.

“The Gold Coast is an amazing venue to fly over, which is only amplified by the fact it’s my hometown,” she said.

“Personally, it’s the people that make the venue. The enjoyment from standing on the beach, splashing in the water and watching aeroplanes can be seen on everyone’s faces.”

Among the crowd will be FLTLT Sweeney’s family, who remain part of the Gold Coast community.

“Displaying on the Gold Coast gives me the opportunity to share a small part of my career and life with them, which means a lot to me,” she said.

Gaining an interest in aviation at 16, after attending a RAAF Base Amberley airshow, she completed a trial instructional flight from Gold Coast Airport to make sure aviation was the career she wanted.

Now, FLTLT Sweeney hopes the next generation watching from the beach might discover the same joy.

“No matter what branch of the aviation industry, I hope that our display inspires people to get involved,” she said.

For the Roulettes, that is what makes a week of flying across Queensland worthwhile.

“The team are committed to providing the joy of aviation to as many people as possible,” FLTLT Sweeney said.