Rya originally flew recon missions for the Royal Naboo Security Forces before joining Bravo Flight under the command of Ric Olié. He later became an expert in starfighter defensive aviation tactics.
Having achieved the rank of lieutenant, Kirsch flew as Bravo Four during the Battle of Naboo, and entered into combat against an attack fleet of Vulture droids during an ambush against the Droid Control Ship Vuutun Palaa. After joining Ric Olié in an attack run, Kirsch was killed when the Vuntunn Palaas turbolasers shot down his starfighter.
John Knoll on set
This character, played by ILM Visual Effects Supervisor John Knoll, continues the tradition of the in-cockpit death scene featured in several Star Wars space/air battles. Rya Kirsch is sometimes known as "Jet Porkins"—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 opera house patron Tannon Praji in Revenge of the Sith.