Demo Team 2013-2014 - RNLAF AH

Apache
Demo Team 2013-2014
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Apache
Demo Team
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Foreword
PREPARE TO BE DAZZLED!
I am proud to present to you the Apache Solo Display Team of the Royal
Netherlands Air Force! The team is back in the year that we are celebrating a
century of military aviation. The Q17 is fitted out in a new colour scheme that
was designed especially for this centennial.
The team flies the Apache to show the public just how agile this combat
helicopter is. So, prepare to be dazzled by a spectacular display of helicopter
aerobatics! But of course we can do more than this. With this helicopter, my
men and women have been able to make a difference in countless situations in
Afghanistan by providing close air support to the troops on the ground.
Just like any other member of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the members
of the Apache Solo Display Team are ready for deployment at all times to hot
spots anywhere across the globe to provide their contribution in the interest
of peace and security. Delivering that support under extreme conditions calls
for intensive, responsible and careful operation by pilot and technician alike.
The same applies to the preparation and performance of an air display.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force delivers a contribution that matters. Not just
with our Apaches in Afghanistan in the recent past, but with various types of
aircraft, at home and abroad. During the Royal Netherlands Air Force Open Days,
you will be able to see more and get a feel of what the Royal Netherlands Air
Force is about. The Apache Solo Display Team will be part of the show as well.
As the proud commander of this Air Base, I am confident that you will enjoy the
show!
Air Commodore – Aviator Jan Willem Westerbeek
Commander, Defence Helicopter Command
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The Team
The Royal Netherlands Air Force proudly presents the Apache Solo Display Team.
It is the only Apache Display Team in the world, which makes its show one of
a kind!! That’s why the Royal Netherlands Air Force is proud to present this
demonstration that highlights the capabilities of this combat helicopter and its
dedicated crew. For more details, visit out our website at:
www.apachedemoteam.nl.
Camaraderie and team work are the first priorities for the team. Without the
technicians and coaches on the ground, the pilots cannot perform their show
in the air. Meet the members of the Apache Solo Display Team: a powerful
combination!
In the picture -from left to right Name: Boudewijn “Stance” Stevens (25)
Rank: Captain
Function: Team coach
Flying hours: 1000
Missions abroad: Afghanistan
Name: Joey “the Joker” Boertjes (34)
Rank: Sergeant First Class
Function: Specialist aircraft maintenance
Missions abroad: Iraq and Afghanistan
Name: Roland “Wally” Blankenspoor (40)
Rank: Major
Function: Display pilot-in-command and Captain of the team
Flying hours: 3300
Missions abroad: Djibouti and Afghanistan
Name: Erwin Veenstra (39)
Rank: Sergeant Major
Function: Supervisor specialist avionics, Chief, Technical Engineers
Missions abroad: Djibouti, Iraq, and Afghanistan
Name: Michel “Loeki” van Leeuwen (42)
Rank: Sergeant-Major
Function: Supervisor specialist aircraft maintenance
Missions abroad: Djibouti, Iraq, Afghanistan
Name: Rik Kuijpers (27)
Rank: Sergeant
Function: Specialist avionics
Name: Job “Blow” Verberg (29)
Rank: Captain
Function: Team coach
Flying hours: 1000
Missions abroad: Afghanistan
Name: Harm “Kaas” Cazemier (42)
Rank: Captain
Function: Display pilot
Flying hours: 1900
Missions abroad: Afghanistan and Iraq
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Pilots on the job
Display pilots
Wally: is team captain and flies all the manoeuvres of
the show. “You have to be able to trust each other one
hundred percent, whether you’re exercising, on deployment,
or performing this demo. You always aim for a peak
performance, for yourself, the public, and for the team.”
Kaas: is co-pilot and assists in the execution of the flying
manoeuvres. “If you’d ask me what gives me the greatest
satisfaction in this job, it would be the fact that I am allowed
and able to support troops in distress on the ground at all
times.”
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Coaches on the job
Blow: as the first coach he is responsible for the organisation and the security
Stance: is second coach and responsible for the pre-flight briefing of the
of the show. “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be an Air Force pilot. It’s a great
feeling to be able to fly an Apache and to have the privilege of providing support
to ground troops in distress.”
team, among other things. “Being an Air Force Pilot is very challenging;
you have to be on top of your game at all times. That is quite demanding,
but I do still enjoy that challenge, day after day.”
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Technical Engine
Erwin: is chief of the Apache’s team of technicians. “It’s always a challenge
to have the helicopter fully operational again at the end of the day.”
Michel: is responsible for keeping all mechanics and information systems
of the Apache in tip-top condition. “I am really proud to be able to show our
public the full potential of the Apache’s capabilities. It’s not just for show, but
also a demonstration of what the Apache can do in actual operations.”
Joey: is a crew chief, responsible for maintenance and operational readiness
of the helicopter. “I really enjoy that challenge. But it also gives me the chance
to follow my passion for this aircraft, working at different locations, with a
super team of colleagues!”
Rik: is the avionics specialist. “The great thing about my job is that I get to
travel to all sorts of places around the world, seeing and experiencing things
that I would never have seen and done if I wasn’t in this job!”
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ers on the job
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Apache
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The AH-64D Apache combat helicopter
Facts
The agile Apache AH-64D combat helicopter can be employed for a large number
of tasks, both at home and abroad. The Apache is fitted with state-of-the-art
surveillance and navigation equipment, consisting of an array of sensors and
advanced cameras, making it excellently suited for detection and reconnaissance
tasks. Thanks to its wide range of weapons, the Apache can be tasked with the
protection of troops on the ground and transport helicopters. It can be employed
in an offensive role, tasked with the elimination of armoured vehicles, tanks
or targets, such as command posts and radar stations, artillery batteries, and
surface-to-air missiles. All these tasks, the Apache can execute under most
weather conditions, by night and by day. Because of these excellent attributes,
the Apache is very much in demand for employment in missions at home and
abroad. The Apaches of the Royal Netherlands Air Force are based with 301
Squadron at Gilze-Rijen Air Base, as part of the Defence Helicopter Command.
Number: 29 helicopters
Length: 17.70 metres, Height: 5.33 metres
Rotor diameter: 14.63 m
Engines: 2 General Electric T700-GE-70IC
Power: 1940 hp per engine
Maximum Weight: 10433 kg
Speed: cruise speed 222 km/hour; maximum: 366 km/hour
Range: 465-485 km or circa 2.5 hours, depending on the mission.
The range can be increased by taking auxiliary fuel tanks along.
Manufacturer: Boeing Defense & Space Group
Armament: Hellfire anti-tank missiles (maximum of 16),
2.75 inch missiles (maximum of 76), 30 mm gun (maximum of 1200 rounds)
The Apache does not carry any weapons during demonstration flights.
Deployments
In 1998 and 1999 Apaches took part in SFOR, a stabilization force in BosniaHerzegovina. In 2001, Apaches were stationed at Djibouti, ready for close air
support, if necessary, to Dutch troops deployed to the United Nations peace
force, UNMEE, at the borders between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
From April 2004 on, the Apaches were deployed almost continuously to
Afghanistan, where they proved to be life-savers to the troops on the ground on
numorous occasions.
While already deployed to Afghanistan, the Apaches simultaneously deployed to
Iraq from 2004 till 2006 to support the Dutch troops in Al Muthanna during the
Stabilization Force in Iraq (SFIR) mission.
Afghanistan
The Dutch combat helicopters were stationed, successively, from 2004 on
at Kabul, Kandahar Airfield and Tarin Kowt, at Kamp Holland to provide the
necessary air support to Dutch and Allied troops. On 11 November 2010, the
Apaches concluded their operational deployment in Afghanistan, after six years
of working closely together with international allies.
In all, the Dutch combat helicopters have flown over 1200 missions, logging
7000 flying hours, providing support to NATO troops on the ground.
National tasks
The Apache combat helicopter is also employed at home at the request of the
Ministry of Justice, providing assistance in police search operations.
The demonstration aircraft Q-17
The demonstration helicopter has been painted in a special colour scheme this
year, to mark the 100th Anniversary of Military Aviation that is celebrated by the
Royal Netherlands Air Force in 2013.
The Q-17 is assigned to the demo team but is also used for training missions.
The hellfire racks and rocket pods have been removed from the helicopter and
the show is flown with a minimum amount of fuel on board. This decreases the
weight, allowing the Apache to fly faster and accelerate much quicker in the
execution of the various manoeuvres.
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The show
The show of 2013 promises to be a spectacular sight again. Just like other years,
the demo team uses flares during the show, making this spectacular demo
unique in the world. Throughout the show, safety and professionalism have the
highest priority for the Apache Solo Display Team. Therefore the show is testflown, reviewed and approved before the start of each season.
awards
In 2011 the team won two prizes for their show. At the Royal International
Air Tattoo at the RAF Fairford UK, the Dutch Apache demo team was named
the best overseas flying display. During the major aviation event at the Royal
Naval Air Station Yeovilton in the United Kingdom they won a prize for the
best overall helicopter flying display.
The sequence
• Inbound from holding,
headwind component
• ¼ Cloverleaf, 90 degrees over left/right
• Hammerhead turn (flares)
• High/Lo G
• Jack Flop
•Split-S
• ¼ Cloverleaf, 90 degrees right turn
• High turn left
• Roll showcentre
•Split-S
• Looping showcentre (flares)
• Climbing 720 degrees right turn
• Back-up and vertical roll 1 ¼
• Hammerhead turn (flares)
• ¼ Cloverleaf, 90 degrees right turn
• High turn
• Roll showcentre
• High turn
• Low Pass
• Steep turn showcentre
• Bow to audience
• Low pass to landing
Calendar 2013
14-15 June 19-21 July 24 July 27-28 July
24-25 Aug
13 September
15 September
Royal Netherlands Air Force Open Days, Volkel Air Base
Fairford RIAT (UK)
Culdrose (UK)
Sunderland (UK)
Radom (PL)
Sunset Show Sanicole (BE)
Sanicole Airshow (BE) *
* Check us out at www.apachedemoteam.nl for the latest update
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Social Media
Would you like to follow the team, behind the scenes? Check us out on:
Facebook.com/Luchtmacht
Facebook.com/ApacheSoloDisplay
@kon_luchtmacht #Apachedemo
And: www.apachedemoteam.nl
Inspired to get a job at the Royal Netherlands Air Force? Check our
website for the latest job openings at:
www.werkenbijdefensie.nl/luchtmacht
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Did you know that...
• 8 Dutch Apaches are stationed at the US Army Base Fort Hood for training;
• The Apache demo aircraft is painted in a special colour scheme to honour the 100th
Anniversary of Military Aviation in the Netherlands;
• The youngest member of the team, Boudewijn, is only 25 years old and is also
a law student;
• In The Netherlands, training flights are flown with special training ammunition
to familiarize the students with the exact weight on operational missions;
• You can meet the team at their information stand after the show;
• Hawk 01 is their call-sign during the flight;
• The Dutch Apache Demo Team is the only air display team that performs
aerobatics with the Apache;
• The helmet of the Apache pilot is full of technical gadgets;
• Demo pilot Harm is also a test pilot and has been trained at the
Empire Test Pilot’s School and that he also flies the PC-7;
• The Apache combat helicopter is the only helicopter of the
Royal Netherlands Air Force that can do a looping;
• You can also like the Royal Netherlands Air Force on facebook.com/Luchtmacht.
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Contact: Public Affairs Office Defence Helicopter Command * 0031(0)161-296100 * dhc_svc@mindef.nl * @dhcluchtmacht
Postal address: RNLAF Apache Demo Team * Vliegbasis Gilze-Rijen * Postbus 49 8 5120 AA Rijen -NLD
Find us on the web: www.apachedemoteam.nl * www.luchtmacht.nl * @Kon_Luchtmacht #Apachedemo* Facebook.com/Luchtmacht or Facebook.com/ApacheSoloDisplay
For a career at the Royal Netherlands Air Force visit: www.werkenbijdefensie.nl/luchtmacht
Photos in the brochure: Audiovisual Agency Ministry of Defence, Dennis de Vos
16Translation: Netty Girwar, Royal Netherlands Air Force Translation Office