The New Zealand Red Stars YAK-52 aerobatic team is planning a world-first display at Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow in 2024.
The display will honour founding pilot Brett Emeny, who died earlier this year.
Mr Emeny was involved with the airshow for more than two decades and it was his idea to put a 12-plane display together for Wānaka in 2024 to celebrate the return of Warbirds after the past two shows were cancelled because of Covid.
His daughter and Red Stars member Fay Emeny said it would be special to perform the routine in his honour.
"Dad was excited about the idea of a 12-ship and this resonated across the team, so to be able to bring a dozen Yaks to Wānaka and have them all up in the air performing another world-first display is going to be something special," she said.
"Dad was highly respected by everyone involved with the team and I know the other pilots are pumped to put on a stunning display at Wānaka — an airshow all pilots love being part of."
Warbirds Over Wānaka general manager Ed Taylor said the Red Stars were one of the crowd favourites.
