Rya Kirsch

Lieutenant Rya Kirsch was one of the fighters who led the assault on the Trade Federation Droid Control Ship.

Biography
Rya originally flew recon missions for the Royal Naboo Security Forces before joining Bravo Squadron under the command of Ric Olié. He later became an expert in starfighter defensive aviation tactics.

Kirsch flew as Bravo 4 during the Naboo Space Battle, and entered into combat against an attack fleet of Vulture droids. After joining Ric Olié in an attack run, Kirsch was killed after the Droid Control Ship's turbolasers fired on his starfighter.

Behind the scenes
This character, played by ILM Visual Effects Supervisor John Knoll, continues the tradition of the in-cockpit death scene featured in all Star Wars space/air battles. Rya Kirsch is sometimes known as "Jet Porkins"&mdash;a reference to the pilot Jek Porkins, who had the first in-cockpit death during A New Hope.

Knoll also plays a Naboo flag bearer during the parade in The Phantom Menace and the roles of a firespeeder pilot and an opera house patron in Revenge of the Sith.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace PhotoComic