Air Force’s Black Falcons to perform over Gisborne

In formation: The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Black Falcons, flying T-6C Texan II aircraft, practise their display at RNZAF Base Ohakea. Picture by Dillon Anderson

Tairāwhiti and areas hit hard by Cyclone Gabrielle in February are to receive special visits from the Black Falcons — the Royal New Zealand Air Force aerobatic team.

The Black Falcons are scheduled to perform in Gisborne on Friday at 12.30pm and in Napier on Saturday at the same time.

The best vantage point in Gisborne will be the foreshore (centred on Churchill Park) or from Tītīrangi/Kaiti Hill.

Squadron Leader Stu Anderson said the team were delighted to be delivering special performances for audiences who had endured so much as a result of the enormous damage caused by the cyclone.

“Hundreds of our Defence Force colleagues have been able to help Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay communities deal with the devastation caused by Gabrielle, and it’s now our privilege to bring our display into their skies as a tribute to them — especially those who have suffered painful losses.

“The hard and exhausting recovery is ongoing for them and we hope that they will be able to take a break and enjoy these displays,” he said.

The Ohakea-based Black Falcons team members are all instructors with the Central Flying School — which is responsible for training flying instructors and maintaining flying instructional standards across the air force — or with No. 14 Squadron, who train all new pilots to the RNZAF.

The Falcons’ team comprise six pilots, a team manager and support officer.

This week’s Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay displays are an addition to the Black Falcons’ schedule for 2023.