ALL eyes were on the sky at Warrnambool Aerodrome yesterday as thousands of spectators watched a brilliant display of aerial acrobatics.
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More than 2000 people lined the barriers for the Warrnambool Aero Club’s golden anniversary celebrations and to check out the Royal Australian Air Force’s elite formation display team, the Roulettes.
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Forty-five aeroplanes and helicopters took part in yesterday’s display, some staying earthbound while others soared hundreds of metres into the mostly clear blue sky.
Precision timing and centimetre accuracy came together for the Roulettes’ exhibition, one of the first full displays by the group in several years.
Roulette team members Corey Fischer, Bernie Gleeson, Richard Morris, Steve English, Glenn Stegink and squadron leaders Steve Baker and Matt Plenty flew from Sale to the south-west for the event yesterday.
Flight Lieutenant Morris said five hours of preparation went into every performance in order to ensure safety requirements and audience satisfaction.
He said the surrounding area needed to be inspected beforehand to gauge how spectators would view the display overhead.
“If you view the display from even 500 metres away from the main audience, the aeroplanes do not have the same visual impact,” Flight Lieutenant Morris said.
“We make sure that the planes above give the best display possible to the crowd below.
“Many people here have appreciated that and have asked plenty of questions.”
Warrnambool Aero Club secretary Jeff Davies said the weekend of high-flying festivities was a perfect way to celebrate 50 years of aeronautic adventure for the club.
He said film clips and nostalgic slides at a club dinner on Saturday night highlighted the region’s aviation history.
“Probably the reason behind the large crowd numbers is the fact that a lot of people are fascinated by flying,” Mr Davies said.
“We’ve got quite a range of planes on show, from the World War II-era Tiger Moths to some Cold War-style Russian planes.”
Victoria Police estimated that 300 to 400 cars lined the roads outside the airport in order the capture a glimpse of the aeroplanes flying over.
asinnott@standard.fairfax.com.au
