Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2005/723SQN's Helicopter Display Team
It's interesting whichever way you look at it 723 SQN's HELICOPTER DISPLAY TEAM 2005
By LCDR Allen Whittaker Commanding Officer 723 Squadron
The 723 Squadron helicopter display team was formed out of a need to showcase Naval Aviation to the public through recognised events. Such events include airshows, base open days as well as public events of significance.
Whilst there have been many single helicopter displays from various types in the past, the Squadron saw this as an opportunity to develop a pairs display. The current display was developed and based upon a RN Lynx display, and has been incorporated into Squadron Flying Orders so it will be available to the Squadron for years to come.
Two 723 Squadron qualified helicopter instructors (QHIs) fly the display with an observer/aircrewman performing co-pilot duties throughout. The duties performed by the co-pilots are not unlike that of a rally driver's navigator, calling the sequence of manoeuvres for the pilot. Copilots also assist in keeping the other aircraft sighted throughout and checking the engine instruments during the display. For the QHIs this display is an addition to their normal working routine, yet encompasses many of the handling requirements that are required of a standard Naval pilot. Additionally, some of the manoeuvres are purely of a display nature and the Squirrel helicopter is an admirable platform for this purpose.
Formed in the middle of last year, the 723 Squadron Helicopter Display Team has performed at numerous events. Some of these are the Caboolture Air Spectacular, RAAF Richmond Open day, four Temora Airshows, the 21st Anniversary of the Squirrel Helicopter in ADF service and more recently at the RAAF Amberley Airshow in Queensland. At all of these events it has earned outstanding praise from the organisers, participants and the viewing public alike. The Squadron looks forward, at the time of going to press, to the possibility of appearing at future events including the Avalon Airshow in March this year.
Prior to being approved for public display, the team conducted months of training, initially starting with individual aircraft each flying their own routine. Once the QHIs were familiar with their routines they were combined, and the sequence was slowly staged into the current display. Final approval for public viewing was given by COMAUSNAVAIRGRP (CDRE Geoff Ledger) on completion of initial training at Nowra.
When the display team are tasked/requested to perform at a venue, the Squadron deploys two aircraft and a team of five maintainers. Of these five maintainers one will be an Aircraft Engineer who is responsible for ensuring the aircraft are ready for the display. Without the combined significant efforts of the whole team (maintenance/aircrew & operations) the display would not be possible.
In it's infancy, the 723 Squadron Display Team conducted 60 practice sessions to achieve the professional, polished display that now reflects positively upon the RAN at most major national events.
The formation of the 723 Squadron Helicopter Display Team offers significant public relations, public information and promotional opportunities for the ADF and RAN in particular.
Nowra's 723 Squadron continues to be the cradle of rotary wing aviation in the RAN today. Training Pilots, Observers and Aircrewman from their first exposure to Helicopters right up to the start of Operational Flying Training on Sea Sprite, Seahawk or Sea King aircraft. The respective rotary courses cover all aspects of naval aviation which include navigation, search and rescue, embarked fleet operations and training deployments around Australia and overseas. At present, 723 has two detached Squirrels at sea onboard ANZAC class frigates and is forecast to retain one detachment training flight as an ongoing requirement. Currently, the Squadron has more than 30 students "on the books" making it one of the biggest and busiest squadrons in the Fleet Air Arm.
