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The Royal Australian Air Force’s formation aerobatic display team, the Roulettes, and their turboprop Pilatus PC-21 aircraft will feature in a new documentary being shown to the Australian public.
The documentary, streamed by the 9Network, will reportedly follow the team as three new pilots join to fly the Pilatus PC-21 in public displays.
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The show is understood to be set in the lead-up to the Pacific Airshow on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
One of the new pilots, Roulette 3, Flight Lieutenant Brodie Sweeney, originally from the Gold Coast, took her training seriously knowing her first major Roulettes display would be in front of her friends and family.
“Joy and trepidation is probably how I would describe it,” FLTLT Sweeney said.
“There’s happiness that I got a seat at the table, but then also the trepidation in that I now have to upskill and perform to the required standard and everyone’s going to be watching.”
Australian Roulette originally sprang from a conversation between Joe Darcy of aircraft company Pilatus and then-Commanding Officer of Central Flying School, Wing Commander Damien Buswell, at the 2024 West Sale Airshow in regional Victoria.
Flight Lieutenant David Burnard, who recently moved from Roulette 2 to 5, is also featured in Australian Roulette, seeing his childhood dreams of joining the Air Force’s aerobatic team coming true.
“When I was living in Adelaide I used to watch the Roulettes when they would perform at the race course in the city,” FLTLT Burnard remembered.
“I’d set an alarm and climb the hill behind my parents’ house just to watch the display, 10-year-old me would be thrilled to know that I ended up in that blue Roulette flight suit.”
9Network head of acquisitions, Kieren Pittard, said the company is thrilled to bring the uniquely Australian story to screens.
“We’re pleased to partner with the Royal Australian Air Force and Pilatus to take our 9Now and 9Go! viewers into the cockpit, to meet the Roulettes, marvel at their aerobatic skills and see what it’s like to be an Air Force Roulette,” Pittard said.
Commander of Air Force Training Group, Air Commodore David Strong, is proud the Roulettes were shown for the hard work they put into training and their public displays.
“The Roulettes are extremely passionate about showcasing Air Force aviation to the Australian community,” AIRCDRE Strong said.
“The team works hard to make these displays entertaining and informative, as well as safe.
“I hope Australian Roulette helps inspire people to think about the Air Force as a career, even as a future member of the Roulette team.”
Australian Roulette is streaming on the 9Network’s 9Now and screening on 9Go!.
