‘Like watching something out of Top Gun’

IN FORMATION: RNZAF Black Falcons send plumes of smoke across the sky. Picture by Liam Clayton

The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Black Falcons aerobatics display team drew hundreds of people to the city foreshore and Tītīrangi/Kaiti Hill at lunchtime yesterday.

The team turned on a 15-to-20-minute display that had the big crowd on the beachfront aghast as they looped, rolled and even flew inverted in one passover.

They also carried out a couple of spectacular “starburst” manoeuevres, where all five aircraft split off in different directions.

It was all done to a backdrop that went from blue sky to dark clouds.

The crowd were clearly buzzing afterwards.

“Wow. There was definitely no room for error with some of their moves,” one woman said. “They were just so close to each other.”

“That was breathtaking,” said someone else.

Other comments included: “It was like watching something out of Top Gun.”

“It was definitely better than I expected.”

“They were so fluid — so precise and in unison together.”

“They flew like they were one. The trust in each other’s flying ability must be huge.”

One youngster said: “Daddy, can I do that when I grow up?”

“Sure son, why not,” dad replied.