The Roulettes made my day.

[Judd]

Around 1500 today, I was sitting at the traffic lights in a northern suburb when I heard the noise of many engines. Looking away from the red traffic light I glimpsed the Roulettes formation fly over the Grand Prix and into a beautifully executed loop. For the first time in my life I prayed for the traffic lights to stay red for a bit longer and they did, just for me. As the Roulettes levelled out from their dive in perfect formation and disappeared from my field of view the lights turned green. Nice timing. The whole episode took only 30 seconds or so, but what a brilliant sight. Those RAAF pilots sure can fly:ok:

[Pinky the pilot]

Those RAAF pilots sure can fly

Agreed!:ok: And if the current Pilots are anything like the blokes I met at the opening of the World Gliding Championships at Benalla in 1987; Well.... they are bloody good at drinking beer too!!:ok::eek::ok::eek::}

[Arm out the window]

There would have been no drinking within 50 m of the aircraft, though ...

[cattletruck]

Judd, you should join us on the hill overlooking the Harry Trott cricket ground in Albert Park where the helicopters are stationed.

Not only do you get a grand view of the Roulettes and the Qantas 747 performing impressive low level 2G turns, but that F18 gets mighty close to that hill.

And Ron's PHS company fills in the gaps with an impressive flying spectacle of joy rides with all his toys.

:ok:

[gerry111]

They're possibly only allowed "energy" drinks these days, Pinky. ;)
Judd, perhaps get on to their web site and tell them how much you enjoyed the experience?

[Pinky the pilot]

There would have been no drinking within 50 m of the aircraft, though ...

Oh s**t no!!:=:=

The aircraft were at least 150m away!!:cool:

They're possibly only allowed energy drinks, these days Pinky

Sadly Gerry111 me old; You're probably right!!:sad:

[Captain Sand Dune]

Symptomatic of the times. Zero blood alcohol content is the rule. And they can test you at any time. Like most things these days, the fun is being slowly squeezed from everything we do thanks to burgeoning bureaucracy and a higher command that is all too willing to microscopically scrutinize everything the front line does in the name of ‘governance’ and ‘safety’.
As for ‘energy’ drinks, I reckon they are more harm than alcohol. Wouldn't touch ‘em.

[josephfeatherweight]

I love watching the Roulettes, they do a top job. A nice loop like you described looks great when they do it so smoothly.
Re the "end of fun" - what really got my goat in the PC, "positive discrimination" (don't get me started there!), touchy feely, OH&S (WHS now, yes) world of the RAAF was that the ones with the BEST stories of fun and adventure and "real" flying, came from the ones dishing out the new rules banning the fun.
I'm not entering into a discussion on how much safer we are now, shouldn't waste taxpayer dollars (same money is spent anyway, ok), blah blah. Just how I feel...