They’re a heady mix of precision and passion – the Red Stars Yak-52 aerobatic team, which has been looping the loop in our skies for the last two decades.
And they’re proudly unique – they're the only nine aircraft strong formation team, outside of the military, anywhere in the world.
That makes them a major drawcard at the Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival in Masterton later this month, where they will honour their founder and team leader Brett Emeny, who died from a heart condition earlier this year.
Emeny, the son of former World War II Mosquito fighter pilot Cliff Emeny, was one of the country’s most accomplished aviators, rated to fly 100 different aircraft types.
And it was his love of the Yak-52 Soviet military trainer that led to the formation of the aerobatic team, enticing his pilot friends, one by one, to buy themselves a Yak.
His daughter Fay was one of the converts, having spent hundreds of hours under her father’s instruction since the age of 9.
"He was Mister Yak. He loved these aeroplanes and he had a real knack for getting other people to love them too, so that’s why we have so many," she told Seven Sharp.
Air New Zealand pilot Mike Harvey was one of those on his hit list.
"It was just that infectious spirit of his," he said.
"He would have me flying it and instructing me and then we would start doing steeper turns and then suddenly we are doing loops."
And not long after, he found himself owning a Yak.
"Then you are doing them (loops) with eight other aircraft."
Doug Batten, who has taken over as team leader, describes the Yak as "bulletproof" and as strong as a "brick you-know-what".
“You want to tail slide it, spin it, flick it, there’s nothing you can’t do in that aeroplane.”
Batten says Wings Over Wairarapa on November 24 – 26 will be the perfect stage to honour their fallen leader.
“He’s going to be looking down smiling and watching.”
Daughter Fay says she can hear her father’s voice as she’s running through the formation routines.
“We’ll get it right for him and he will be proud.”
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