From the sky to the sand

From the sand at Surfers Paradise, thousands of people watched aircraft streak across the sky, framed by the blue Pacific and the Gold Coast skyline.

Across the three-day event, a variety of RAAF aircraft took to the skies. The F-35A Lightning II turned above the coastline, the Air Force Roulettes demonstrated precision flying, and 100SQN’s CAC CA-18 Mustang carved formations through the sky. Each display gave the ADF an opportunity to showcase its people and capability to the community.

For Roulette five pilot FLTLT David Burnard, the 17-minute Roulette display was the visible part of a much longer process.

“When people watch our flying display, it goes for 17 minutes. But behind all of that, there's months of work,” he said.

The team spent weeks adapting and rehearsing its display for the Gold Coast environment, where skyscrapers and the coastline created a very different backdrop to its usual training.

“It’s very important to train and be precise with our flying, especially when you’re in a formation with five other airplanes next to you,” FLTLT Burnard said.

That precision was echoed by F-35A Lightning II display pilot FLTLT CT, whose routine gave spectators a glimpse of Australia’s air combat capability.

His favourite manoeuvre was the pedal turn, which sees the aircraft climb, roll inverted and release flares while skidding through the sky.

“It’s my favourite because during that manoeuvre I can look down at the entire crowd line,” he said.

“You can kind of see that people are down there – like very little, little, tiny people.

“I told my mum I could see her – but that was a lie.”

But once back on the ground, the distance between pilot and spectator disappeared.

“I didn’t get too far walking along the street to the airshow before a couple of kids asked, ‘Hey, can we get a photo, please?’” FLTLT CT said.

“It’s a huge reward in my career and an honour to do the display … seeing people smiling and enjoying an air show. That’s cool.

“Makes me smile, for sure.”

For FLTLT Burnard, meeting the crowd was also the highlight.

“It’s so cool to see the next generation of aviators come out and say hello, and exciting for us to share our passion [for] flying with them,” FLTLT Burnard said.

For Head of Air Shows AIRCDRE Micka Gray, those interactions were one of the most important parts of Defence’s participation.

“What I love about these airshows is just talking to the public, asking them about their experiences, what they like, what they want to know about Defence,” he said.

Across the ground displays, visitors met firefighters, security personnel, medical teams, engineers, support staff and recruiters, providing a glimpse of the diverse workforce required to deliver Defence capability.

FLTLT Burnard said the same principle that kept the Roulettes together in the air extended to those supporting them on the ground.

“When we’re flying [in] formation, it’s all based on trust and precision. You really need to trust the person next to you,” he said.

“And that’s definitely the case with the people who support us on the ground as well.”

When the final aircraft departed and the beach returned to normal, the roar of engines was replaced by the sound of the surf.

But for thousands of people who looked skyward that weekend, the memories will remain.

See more images from the Pacific Airshow here.