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Black Eagles Aerobatic Team
Lines, curves, and puffs of smoke: The Republic of Korea Air Force Aerobatic Team never fails to dazzle me.
The Singapore Airshow is on at the moment.
Billed as Asia’s largest airshow, the biennial event attracts defence and civil aviation experts and enthusiasts from around the world. The Changi Exhibition Centre is full of booths brimming with impressive examples of new technologies. Delegations in brass, braid, and crisp creases, snake through the maze of “pavilions” accompanied by minders with phones and clipboards. Everywhere inside, there are meetings taking place, with handshakes as business cards are exchanged. In the outdoor static displays, visitors examine military hardware and admire the corporate finery of the world’s newest, finest, fastest, and most luxurious airplanes and helicopters.
And then there is me – wandering around, cameras in hand, admiring all the shiny bits and chatting to the people, as I did here two years ago (Singapore Airshow 2014).
Join me in search of lines, curves, and gleaming reflections.
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So Close…
Dreams of flight carry us off into other worlds… The realities for most of us, however, are overpriced tickets, long haul flights wedged into cramped seats, mediocre food and uncomfortable lay-overs.
Once we had almost arrived at the Airshow, we were stuck in more traffic jams and ticket queues… They do say that all good things come to those who wait… and wait.
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The American Presence
The Americans have a number of civil and military organisations participating this year, and were significant players in the opening speeches – after a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner!
Anti-Aircraft
I guess where you have military and aircraft, you will also find weaponry and anti-aircraft equipment.
Renewing Old Relationships
Exhibiters renew old acquaintances and get to put faces to people they generally have only phone or email contact with.
Military Visitors
Personnel from the Philippines Military were one of many groups touring the building on opening day.
MTU Aero Engines
I know almost nothing about engines, but this was, in my opinion, the best looking display stand.
“Project Zero”
Outside in the bright sun and tropical heat, new and wonderful designs are on display.
Finmeccanica Reps
The two Italian men on site are happy to explain how “Project Zero” is a ‘platform’ for ‘new technologies’.
Finmeccanica “Project Zero”
The Tiltrotor VTOL is certainly like nothing I’ve seen before.
Danger – Hot Exhaust
The STREIT Group’s Global 5000 Business Jet has clean polished lines, …
Global 5000 Tail
… and catches the mid-day sun beautifully.
“Poised and Deadly”
A young pilot, with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) motto: “Poised and Deadly” on one of his badges, proudly shows off his F-16D+ Fighting Falcon.
Under the Gulfstream
More RSAF personnel smile from behind their G550 – AEW Early Warning Aircraft.
“Integrate and Dominate”
A smiling Rodger Ng offers to show me through his H-47 Chinook. Part of an integrated joint RSAF command, the utility helicopters and their crew play a vital role as coast guards.
A Very Shiny Nose…
You can see a great expanse of runway in the nose cone of the Daher-Socata TBM 900 Single Turboprop.
Sparkly Chaff
With a roar of powerful engines, the Republic of Singapore Air Force opens the flying display with an F‑15SG.
Airbus A350 XWB
The elegant Airbus, by contrast, proceeds almost silently, …
Airbus A350 XWB Overhead
… even when it circles over the Straits of Singapore and back over our heads.
Royal Malaysian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKM
But, then the noise of jet fighter engines shakes the air.
Black Eagles Aerobatic Team
My favourite is the Republic of Korea Air Force flying team. For a full 23 minutes, they loop and circle, drawing patterns in the sky over our heads.
Black Eagles Aerobatic Team
The black, white, and gold KAI T-50B “Golden Eagle” jets are stunning, …
Black Eagles Aerobatic Team
… and their manoeuvres are just breath-taking.
French Air Force Rafale
The super-fast French Air Force Rafale signals the end of the day’s flying displays.
Moving Curves
It’s good to get out of the noise and sun, and back into the trade centre and the quiet of a rotating Boeing motor.
“Child of the Nineties”
In the performance area, USAF personnel entertain visitors needing a break.
Curves and Reflections
Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ new low-cost carrier, opens up its Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner to visitors.
Lines and Light
Even without baggage, the low-cost configuration inside the Boeing B787-8 Dreamliner feels ‘cozy’.
Leading Lines
The USAF C-17 Transport on the other hand, has plenty of room – if not a lot of comfort.
The Burgundy Oryx
The Qatar Airways Logo on an engine stands in contrast to the “No Man” sign. It shouldn’t really have to be said, should it?
I love all those shiny curving surfaces –
and even the two hour queue for a taxi at the end of the day couldn’t quite dampen my dreams of flying…
Till next time – Happy Travels!
[…] February this year. My husband and I were already committed to attend the Singapore Air Show (see: Lines, Curves, and Dreams of Flight) when I saw a special deal for a new resort (Naman Retreat) near Danang in Vietnam. It gave me a […]