Pilot’s insane job at F1 Australian Grand Prix

This Aussie pilot does stunts at up to 700km an hour, experiencing six times the force of gravity, but assures it is “not scary”.

Chantelle Francis

3 min read

March 14, 2025 - 6:09PM

Six Australian pilots are gearing up to fly within just two to three metres of each other, while travelling up to 700km an hour and experiencing six times the force of gravity, all while performing stunts over Melbourne.

But Flight Lieutenant James Dutschke assures us it is “definitely not scary”.

The 39-year-old is the pilot in charge of Roulette Six, making up the Royal Australian Air Force’s aerobatic display team, The Roulettes.

“You are very focused. It’s a very intense job, a lot of precision required,” FLTLT Dutschke said, speaking to news.com.au after finishing a practice flight on Friday for the F1 Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

Members of The Roulettes are talented flying instructors who teach other Air Force pilots to become instructors at the Central Flying School in Victoria.

But FLTLT Dutschke tells us that during their stunning show, they are not doing anything that other pilots in the Air Force cannot do.

“A lot of people who join the Air Force have never flown an aircraft prior to joining the Air Force,” he said.

“We can take people from all walks of life and train them how to do that.”

Flight Lieutenant James Dutschke is the man behind Roulette Six. Picture: RAAF

FLTLT Dutschke, who began flying gliders at the age of 16 and joined the Air Force straight out of school, said that was the best part.

“You see The Roulettes fly over and I remember seeing that as a kid and thinking it would be unattainable or unachievable to do that, but then when you actually get in and start training, you realise it’s very achievable,” he said.

And if you think they are helped out by autopilot at all, you are sorely mistaken.

“It’s all done looking out the window,” FLTLT Dutschke confirmed.

Roulette One sets the speed and leads the formation, with the other pilots lining up their aircraft with certain parts of his. They then need to look at each other too, to ensure they have the correct spacing and are symmetrical.

Roulette Five and Six are the “synchro pair” and are the only aircraft to depart the formation during the display.

“Roulette Five will be upside down and I’ll be directly underneath him and it will look like we’re a mirror image flying over the track,” FLTLT Dutschke explained.

The Roulettes rely on eyesight for their aerobatic display. Picture: RAAF

The Roulettes have a standard show that they adjust for the unique needs of the location.

“With Albert Park, we’ve got the CBD just to the north and west of the track, which means we have to modify some of our positioning to make sure we can fit that in and make it safe,” he said.

They might do one or two practice flights to prepare for a show, but when a pilot is first learning, they require three to five weeks of intensive training to adapt their skills to absolute precision.

“And then it normally takes probably your first three to six months of flying in the team to cement those basics and get comfortable in position, to get enough experience, so that you are able to enjoy it a bit more and see what’s going on opposed to just hanging on to stay in position,” FLTLT Dutschke said.

While it requires solid trust, teamwork, and focus to be in position at all times, he says it is definitely still thrilling.

“You’ll catch glimpses behind the smoke and behind the aircraft,” FLTLT Dutschke said.

“There’s times where you can almost see individual people down there in the crowd and it’s a pretty special feeling.”

Flight Lieutenant James Dutschke, 39, has been in the Air Force since he finished school. Picture: RAAF

The application process is quite competitive but the Air Force pilots only stay in The Roulettes for about two to three years before giving up their spot to allow someone else the opportunity.

The Roulettes encourage any Australians who are eager to learn more to reach out with questions via social media or visit them in person.

On the ground at Albert Park this weekend, visitors will have a flight simulator to test their skills.

FLTLT Dutschke says he has “the greatest job in the world”.

Every day is a challenge, every day is different. The planes we fly, the people we meet … I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else,” he said.