Details of the 2006 Tucano Display Pilot:

This year's Tucano Display Pilot is Flight Lieutenant Daz Mackenzie. Flt Lt Mackenzie, 25, is a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI) on the Tucano, serving with Central Flying School (Tucano) Squadron at Royal Air Force (RAF) Linton-on-Ouse. Daz is from Manchester and became interested in the RAF at an early age, obtaining an RAF flying scholarship when he was 16. He joined the RAF in February 2000 and graduated from Officer Training at the RAF College, Cranwell in the summer of 2000. He completed Elementary Flying Training on the Bulldog aircraft at RAF Cosford in spring 2001 and was selected to fly fast jets.
Daz gained his "wings" on graduating from Basic Fast Jet Training (BFJT) at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in 2002. He then moved to 208 (R) Squadron at RAF Valley for Advanced Flying Training on the Hawk. At the end of this course Daz was chosen to spend his first tour as a QFI, continuing a long RAF tradition of selecting a small number of graduating trainees for this role. This selection process is known as being "creamed off", giving rise to the rather unusual title of "creamie" instructor. Daz is due to complete his tour at Linton in December this year and will move back to Valley for Tactics and Weapons Training. Thereafter he hopes to fly the Harrier GR-9, based at RAF Cottesmore.

Daz is married to Laura and they are expecting their first child in the summer.

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