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Within the Netherlands air force, I am a test pilot, we test new systems...
...before they are introduced operationally with regular crews.
That is my day job and display flying is an added assignment.
The same goes for me.
Our team is unique because we are operational pilots.
These displays are just an extra task.
My main task is Chief of Training on Apache at our home base Gilze Rijen.
At the moment, the Apache is on operations in Afghanistan.
There are 5 of our helicopters in Uruzgan.
These are there for ground support, giving cover for ground forces.
When they are engaged in combat, we help them out,...
...but we also do escort of convoys or transport helicopters.
We'll do the same manoeuvers as fixed-wing aircraft, such as loopings, rolls and...
...a hammerhead turn and the one we like best: the vertical roll.
At an altitude of 1500 feet, we come almost to a hover,...
...we push the nose all the way forward and on the way down,...
...we do a 360 degree roll around our axis.
The nice thing about displaying the Apache is that it can do...
...things which almost no other helicopter is capable of.
Those are also the sort of manoeuvers we don't usually do during our missions,...
...because a looping or barrel roll don't have any tactical use for us...
...but it's nice to show the public how strong and agile the helicopter is.