THE TEAM

The Apache Demo Team together with the F-16 demo team are the 2 official demo teams of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The teams are being used to promote the RNLAF on national and international airshows to show the motto of the RNLAF: One team one mission and to show its AIRPOWER.

Because of operational deployments the team did not perform any shows between 2005 and 2009. Following 2010 the team will again fly its demos in 2011.

For the 2011 season the team consists out of 2 pilots, 2 coaches and 4 technicians. For 2011 the team uses the pilots and the coaches from the 301 squadron as well as from the 299 squadron. The 299 squadron being the training and expertise squadron of the defense helicopter command. All technicians are from the 301 squadron.

The HAWK is the dedicated Apache of the team for 2011. The Q-17 is is the tail number and its from the 301 Squadron.

 

THE PILOTS 

This years pilot in command is Maj Roland “Wally” Blankenspoor and team captain of the demo team.  CPT Paul “Wokkel” Webbink is the new first officer. Both are instructor pilots and are among the top helicopter pilots of the Netherlands Air Force. The demo consists out of “Non Standard” manouvers and thats why the demo is only flown by test- or instructor pilots.

THE COACHES 

This years coaches are CPT Martijn “Pokon” de Jong and CPT Job “Blow” Verberg. “Pokon” works normaly for the 299, training and expertise squadron as a instructor pilot and “Blow” is a regular squadron pilot for 301 squadron with DIABLO flight.  The coaches make sure that the team and its shows are flown safe and all shows are well organized. They also provide the pilots with feedback about the manouvers flown.

THE TECHNICIANS

The technical team consists out of 4 persons who make sure the aircraft is in top condition for each show. They are also resposible for loading the flares which are used during the show. The team is capable to perform all the maintainance needed at the shows. The team consist out of: SM Peter Klootwijk, SM Erwin Veenstra, Sgt 1 Joey Boertjes and Sgt 1 Benno Vlijm.