RSAF Black Knights

[Ray P.]

Hi all, just a heads-up for our CBR residents to advise that the RSAF's F-16 display team the Black Knights will be doing a three-ship flypast in CBR this Saturday 21 Feb 15, around 1715h-1730h (-ish). The route will see the aircraft approach from the South over Parliament House, up Anzac Avenue, then over the Australian War Memorial (AWM). They will be accompanied by a RAAF PC9/A as a photo-ship.

The flypast is timed to coincide with a Last Post Ceremony at the AWM, which will include the laying of wreaths.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Hi Ray, Are the F-16s operating out of Canberra, or another RAAF Base ? If Canberra, do you know when they arrive and depart ?

[Nigel C]

Grahame, I believe the F-16's flew into Avalon in preparation for the upcoming airshow, so I'd presume they'll fly up from there.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Thanks Nigel, makes sense, I can get some shots down at Avalon.

[Robert.M]

Same! I'm planning to be down there from Thursday until Saturday.

[Ray P.]

They are definitely operating out of Avalon for the flypast. The flypast is as described except the formation will be peeling off to the left before they get to the AWM. Grahame, still unsure of departure time. They will arrive at their holding point south of CBR around 1710h. I believe that you could probably count back from there around 40mins, so I'm thinking 1630h. I think they may have tanker support from the RSAF KC-135, but that's not clear.

[Jaryd stock]

Heres the times for the F-16 display departure and return from Avalon they will be supported by the RSAF KC-135, Spotters Magazine. https://www.facebook.com/SpottersMagazine/photos/a.396887103750278.1073741828.396883837083938/659038284201824/?type=1

[Grahame Hutchison]

The RSAF F-16 Black Knights put on a great display on the Friday afternoon, Black Knights 5 & 6 did the flying display, and Black Knight 1 was on static
display. Here are a few of my images.

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=RSAF-BK1 D300-20150227-070.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=RSAF-BK1 D300-20150227-067.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=RSAF-BK1 D300-20150227-260.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=RSAF-BK6 D300-20150227-489.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=RSAF-BK5 D300-20150227-514.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=RSAF-BK6 D300-20150227-522.jpg

http://www.16right.com/Aircraft-Images/displayimage.php?image=RSAF-BK6 D300-20150227-546.jpg

[Robert.M]

Taken on the Friday? Weather was a little average, which is a shame.

[David C]

I was at Avalon yesterday .. Even more " average " ... So average in fact that we couldn't get out of Avalon and spent the night at Tulla before a rearranged Jetstar flight this morning .. Nice shots Grahame ..

Dave C

[Robert.M]

I got out of Melbourne on the train just as the storm approached. Friday started off great but became overcast for the next 24 to 28 or so hours. Saturday wasn't much better, in fact it cleared a little too late in the day.

The Black Knights display was awesome though, kicking myself for not sticking around longer on Thursday (while the weather remained mostly sunny). Again great pics Grahame

[Adam P.]

I hear a rumour that the Black Knights... erm... 'missed' the target (AWM) somewhat on Saturday...?

[Nigel C]

One street over was my mail....but there may have been some dodgy weather that contributed.

[Mark C]

They went up over constitution bridge and over the city rather than up Anzac parade and the AWM.

[Terence W]

These guys were completely awesome! But as Robert M says, the weather on Saturday (also when I went) was very very average. The sky was quite overcast when they performed.

[Ray P.]

I hear a rumour that the Black Knights... erm... 'missed' the target (AWM) somewhat on Saturday...?

It was a weather divert, there was a storm cell that was too close to allow the planned pass down Anzac Parade. As the crew were waiting at the holding point they faced a decision of either calling it off or changing the planned track. They decided that doing something was better than doing nothing and headed down Commonwealth Avenue. Note that the RAAF PC9 photo-ship bugged out early and returned to WLM because of the weather.

[Adam P.]

Fair call then, Ray!