The Red Checkers 2008

Flying most weekends from January through till April and performing at upwards of 20 air shows and other events around the country; the pilots, maintainers, commentator and organisational personnel that make up the 2008 Red Checkers have their work cut out for them. That kind of commitment may not seem so remarkable however, until you consider that unlike most international military aerobatic teams, each member of this team also has a full time job.

Presenting the 2008 Red Checkers:

Checkers One: SQNLDR Shaun Clark

Squadron Leader Clark grew up on a farm in Dipton, Central Southland. The 34-year-old joined the RNZAF in 1992 and has spent the majority of his career flying helicopters. During this time he completed operational tours to Antarctica, Bougainville, Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands. He has more recently spent two years teaching students to fly on exchange with the RAAF in Australia. Squadron Leader Clark has flown 4800 hours on a range of aircraft including the Airtrainer, Aermacchi, Sioux, Iroquois, PC-9 and Harvard. Squadron Leader Clark’s interests include kart racing, motorbike riding and fishing.

Checkers Two: SQNLDR Pete Cochran

Coming from the Bay of Islands, Northland, Squadron Leader Cochran has been in the RNZAF for years. Squadron Leader Cochran has flown a range of training aircraft, including the Airtrainer, Tiger Moth, Harvard, Strikemaster and Aermacchi. He has also flown a number of maritime and transport aircraft including the P3 Orion and venerable Dakota DC3. Squadron Leader Cochran, who lists his age as ‘many years’ has clocked up an impressive 10,000 military flying hours and has been a member of 16 formation aerobatic teams. His interests include Middle Eastern politics and the Arabic language. He has completed peace-keeping tours to Egypt and Afghanistan.

Checkers Three: SQNLDR Paul Stockley

Born in Raetihi but raised in Lower Hutt, Squadron Leader Stockley joined the RNZAF in 1987 and on completion of his wings training was posted to Number 3 Squadron to fly the Iroquois helicopter. During several tours on 3 Squadron he served in many locations including Antarctica, the UK, Fiji and Timor-Leste. Squadron Leader Stockley, who is 40-years-old, has spent the later half of his career instructing. As an instructor he has spent two years on exchange with the RAAF flying PC-9’s and over four years with the RAF flying Tucanos. Squadron Leader Stockley has flown 5100 hours and his main interest is avoiding collisions with Checkers One during the display season.

Checkers Four: SQNLDR Scott McKenzie

Returning for his second season with the Red Checkers, 33-year-old Squadron Leader McKenzie grew up in Taumarunui before joining the RNZAF in 1995. A career flying helicopters saw him complete three tours to Timor-Leste and one to the Solomon Islands. He has also been involved in exercises in Fiji, Australia, the USA, and Singapore. Squadron Leader McKenzie has flown 3600 hours and has a keen interest in all forms of aviation. He and has flown a diverse range of military and civilian aircraft including the Fokker Triplane, Harvard, Tiger Moth, Aermacchi and numerous helicopter types including Hughes 500 and AS350.

Checkers Five: FLTLT Dwight Weston

Flight Lieutenant Weston grew up in Hunterville. The 29-year-old joined the RNZAF in 1998 and on completion of his pilot training was posted to helicopters. During his time on helicopters he flew three operational tours in Timor-Leste and one in the Solomon Islands. He completed a number of exercises in the USA, Singapore and Fiji. Flight Lieutenant Weston, who has flown 2300 hours, has more recently been employed as a Qualified Flying Instructor at Pilot Training Squadron. Flight Lieutenant Weston’s interests include golf, wakeboarding, skiing, squash and tennis.

Background

The RNZAF has had flying display teams in one form or another since the 1940s. The Red Checkers were formed in 1969, and far more than simply a vehicle for showing off our military flying skills, they’re both inspirational and powerful public relations and recruiting tools.

It’s very much a ‘work hard, play hard’ lifestyle for the team members who spend so much time together, and a strong bond based on mutual trust and a good measure of friendly ribbing has developed between each of them.

The aircraft that the Red Checkers currently fly is our New Zealand built Civilian Trainer 4E (CT-4E) Airtrainer. When the team’s not putting them through their paces, the 300 horse power planes are used for initial pilot training and flying instructor training at Base Ohakea by Pilot Training Squadron (PTS) and Central Flying School (CFS) respectively.

Months before their first official appearance the pilots began their formation aerobatic work-up and started putting together the display routine for the season sequence by sequence. Initially this required them to practise daily but by mid-season they rehearse two to three times a week to maintain the required proficiency, and they usually do this outside normal working hours. The amount of time that the pilots selected for the Red Checkers devote to the team is considerable, but it’s gladly given for the great honour of being a part of this tradition.

For more information please visit the Central Flying School section. Join the Air Force, visit our Careers section and Step Up.