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| RAAF ROULETTE PILATUS PC-21 A54-035 (MSN 268) |
A student pilot emerged unscathed following a runway incident with a Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) Roulette aircraft in Victoria. The event, involving a PC-21 aircraft, took place at RAAF Base East Sale last Thursday.
An RAAF representative stated that the pilot was conducting a "low-speed runway excursion" when the incident happened. The student pilot was subsequently taken to the base's medical center for a precautionary assessment.
Local photographer Grant McKillop reported he was at home when he learned from a friend about the disturbance at the RAAF base.
"My friend informed me that a plane had gone down and that there was a significant number of people and some fire trucks surrounding it," he recounted.
"The aircraft was tilted forward with its propeller detached," he observed.
The student pilot managed to exit the aircraft without injury. Mr. McKillop surmised that approximately 20 emergency service workers were present, evaluating the damage and confirming the pilot's safety.
"I hurried to the fence line, took a few quick shots, and then dashed back to my car," he added.
An investigation into the accident is underway.
The Pilatus PC-9/A was retired from the Roulettes' operations in March 2019 and replaced by the Pilatus PC-21, one of the world's most advanced training aircraft.
Roulette displays, performed all over Australia, consist of numerous manoeuvres executed in various formations at low altitude. These displays are a continuation of the formation, aerobatics, low-level flying, and airmanship skills taught to Air Force pilots and honed throughout their careers.
The Roulettes perform as low as 250 feet (80 meters) at speeds reaching 370 knots (685 km/h), with pilots enduring up to 6 Gs, or six times the force of gravity, during a display. Flying just three meters apart, the team demonstrates the high level of visual judgment and hand-eye coordination that Air Force pilots can achieve.
Roulette pilots, who are Qualified Flying Instructors at the Central Flying School based at RAAF Base East Sale in Victoria, spend time between displays teaching other Air Force pilots to become instructors.
Aircraft Information:
Royal Australian Air Force
Code: ASY
Aircraft: Pilatus PC 21
Registration: A54-030
Serial Number: 263
First Flew: October 2018
Age. 6 Years
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