Southern Force Takes Flight!

Over the past year, a talented group of Pitts Special pilots have been gathering at Omaka to develop a new formation aerobatic team. Long-time friend of Omaka, Andy Love of Christchurch, flying a bright scarlet single-seat Pitts S-1S, teamed up with Lincoln Jones from Fielding in his striking red-and-white two-seat S-2C. Joining them at Omaka, resident display pilot Mark O'Sullivan brought his distinctive black-and-green chequered S-2B. Together, they set out to build a polished routine worthy of New Zealand's premier air shows.

To help refine their precision, the team invited Jeremy Miller, a respected Australian aerobatic instructor and CASA Flight Examiner, to mentor them through advanced formation techniques. His expert coaching helped sharpen their flying and laid the foundation for further progress at upcoming training camps.

With the addition of experienced Pitts pilot Richard Hood, the four now form a cohesive and colourful display team known as the Southern Force. They plan to perform at airshows across New Zealand, with a special return to Omaka scheduled for Easter 2027, where the project first took flight.

The aircraft at the heart of this team carries a remarkable legacy. Designed by Curtiss Pitts in 1944, the Pitts Special became a benchmark of aerobatic performance, famed for its agility and timeless design. That legacy is alive and well at Omaka, now home to four resident Pitts aircraft, flown or owned by Mark O'Sullivan, Mike Lagunowitch, Carl Jackson, and Ryan Southam, who is restoring a single-seat S-1 to immaculate standard.

With Southern Force continuing to develop their display and the Pitts tradition thriving at Omaka, Classic Fighters 2027 promises to be the perfect celebration of skill, colour and aerobatic excellence.

‍