Black Eagles in Diamond Formation
How do they do that? The team aerobatics demonstration from the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Black Eagles was impressive in its precision.
Is there anything more magical than flight?
… being transported through the air by an overweight contraption that somehow lifts itself (and you) into space? … watching graceful machines do impossible acrobatics high overhead?
I love airplanes. I love their shiny, reflective surfaces; their lines and curves. While I know almost nothing about the actually mechanics of lift and thrust, I love flying – and watching airplanes in flight.
It has been a while since I’ve been to a serious air show (Farnborough 2010), or even a local display (Merimbula 2012), so when the chance came to tag along to the fourth biennial Singapore Airshow, and attend the opening, I jumped at it.
There were acres of polished shoes and buttons, metres of gold braid, and more epaulettes than you can shake a stick at attending the opening reception and the first day of the show. Top brass from flying forces around the world had come to look over each others’ innovations. Somewhere in the back-rooms, deals have no doubt been struck. I, however, was happy to just wander around with the cameras and gawk at the Aerobatic Flying and the Static Aircraft Displays.
RSAF Black Knights
Trailing decorative plumes of smoke, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) military aerobatics team in their F-16C Fighting Falcons, opened the show.
Black Knights in Formation
The local team showed off a number of manoeuvres against an overcast Singapore sky.
Photographer
As the first flying display finishes, people go back inside the Changi Exhibition Centre, leaving just the local press photographers and ground crew outside on the pavement.
Flags
Twenty-two countries from around the world are represented at the Airshow by government and corporate exhibitors.
Arrivals
People continue to arrive at the Airshow throughout the morning.
Dignitaries in the Hall
Jimmy Lau, Managing Director of Experia Events, the organisers of the Singapore Airshow, describes the key exhibits to an entourage of dignitaries, including Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew.
Checking out the Fighters
With no “public” allowed at the Airshow yet, press and trade exhibitors take advantage of the opportunity to test out the equipment that are part of the Static Display.
Curves and Circles
Looking at the engine on Airbus‘ new A350; I like the repeated patterns.
American C17 Transport
A visiting officer chats to American Airforce personelle.
Bombardier Q400 Cockpit
Even when the plane is on the ground, it is a buzz being on the inside, looking out.
Boeing AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter
F18-F Super Hornet
Back at the aerial displays, an Australian RAAF pilot puts a Super Hornet through its high-speed paces.
South Korean Supersonic T-50s
Not-so-far overhead, the ROKAF Black Eagles roar into the air space.
Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles
Could they be more perfectly aligned?
South Korean ROKAF Team Aerobatics
Or closer together?
South Korean Supersonic T-50s
Could they be any prettier?
ROKAF Black Eagles
Or any more spectacular?
ROKAF Black Eagles
They leave us with coloured hearts and fans.
Russian Yak-130 Two-Seater
The Black Eagles are a hard act to follow, but the Russian pilots perform some impressive loops and spins…
American F-16C Fighting Falcon
… as does the American in an F-16C Fighting Falcon.
MV-22B Osprey
The crowd watches as the United States Marine Corps tilt-rotor aircraft hovers overhead, before transitioning to fixed-wing mode.
TNI-AU Jupiter Aerobatic Team
The Indonesia Aerobatic Team enters, wing to wing, in their red and white KT-1B Wongbee aircraft.
TNI-AU Jupiter Aerobatic Team
They demonstrate a number of patterns and manoeuvres…
A350 Airbus
… before clearing the way for the beautifully quiet, wide-body Airbus.
A350 Airbus
The behemoth is pretty impressive on the ground, too.
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Visiting military inspect cockpits and hardware; like a magpie, I’m attracted by the shiny bits.
EC130 Airbus Helicopter
Representatives are on hand to explain the latest innovations, like the unevenly spaced blades on the tail fan on the EC130.
Twin Otter Series 400 Turboprop
I’d happily take one of these home…
…but it would never fit in the garage.
Ah well ~ a girl can dream!
Happy Landings!
Pictures: 11February2014
[…] month, after a week in the ultra-modern high-rise city-state of Singapore (Magical Flying Machines and Gardens by the Bay), my husband and I took a side-trip to Sumatra, Indonesia’s largest […]