DANCING IN THE SKIES

Like performers on a stage, they spin and twirl. Gracefully, they float past each other with a precision that is almost magical.

But these are no dancers, they are the Black Knights. And their stage is unlike any of this world, for they do their dance in the skies.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) aerobatic team is returning to the biennial Singapore Airshow, which will run from 11 to 16 Feb. After taking a break from the last Airshow in 2008, the Black Knights are set to wow the crowds again with original aerobatic sequences and a brand-new line-up of pilots.

Carefully selected from the RSAF's best, the team was formed on 26 Jul last year and comprises team leader Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Joseph Leong, Major (MAJ) Eugene Lim, Captain (CPT) Devdutt Sasidharan, CPT Jeremy Tan, CPT Augustine Wan, and CPT Chang Haw Ning.

Though they are not a full-time aerobatic team, the Black Knights have devoted time amid their operational duties to practising the sequences which they had designed themselves. These challenging moves will test each member's coordination and flying skills.

Said straight-talking LTC Leong: "The six of us sat down and came up with a concept of the sequence. After conceptualisation, we designed the show... Even modifications were decided by the six of us. Because, at the end of the day, you put each other's lives at stake every day flying so close to each other, doing the manoeuvres, so you d better agree on what you want to do."

Something else the audience can look forward to is the new paint scheme for the stars of the show, the F-16C Fighting Falcons. The planes feature the national symbols of the crescent moon and five stars, while retaining the red and white colours.

Although the intention was to foster a stronger national identity, the new design has also instilled a new sense of pride in the pilots themselves. "You can call us the Singapore Black Knights!" LTC Leong beamed.

PIONEER checks out five of the moves that visitors will get to see at the Singapore Airshow 2014:

Spear formation

As they are completing a loop, the six Black Knights reposition themselves to the all-new Spear formation. In this formation, four aircraft form the spearhead and two form the tail.

Twist and Shout

Flying in a Delta formation, the two inner Black Knights wingmen barrel-roll outwards and take the positions of the outer wingmen. The outer wingmen then move in to fill the vacated positions. This "twist" is then repeated as the new inner wingmen barrel-roll back to their original positions.

Criss-cross

Two pairs of Black Knights approach from opposing sides. They then converge at a central point before splitting upwards and outwards in four different directions, creating the illusion of a hit.

Seashell

Four Black Knights pull up sharply one after another in the air. They each then execute a roll away from the group in turn, leaving behind loops of smoke trails each bigger than the previous as they descend, creating a seashell in the sky.

Double inverted wrap

Two Black Knights fly inverted in a straight line. Two other Black Knights spiral around them in a criss-cross pattern, maintaining positions diametrically opposite each other. This forms a double helix design.

The men in the cockpit

Photos by Chua Soon Lye & Courtesy of RSAF

Black Knight #1
LTC Joseph Leong, 44
Team Leader / 26 years in service / 4,000 flying hours

"It's been a ride there have been ups and downs as we strive to push ourselves to the limit, but it's been fun! When you become a Black Knight, it is a badge of honour that stays with you for life."
On his experience leading the team

Black Knight #2
CPT Devdutt Sasidharan, 28
"Right Wingman" / 9 years in service / 1,400 flying hours

"Hopefully people can appreciate how complex they are. Multiple formation changes with the six aircraft is something new that the Black Knights haven't done before."
On what he thinks the crowd will enjoy about their performance

Black Knight #3
CPT Jeremy Tan, 34
"Left Wingman" / 14 years in service / 1,700 flying hours

"The Double Inverted Wrap manoeuvre is something audiences can look out for. It's the first time in the world that a fly-by-wire aircraft is performing this, and it's unique to us!"
On his favourite manoeuvre

Black Knight #4
CPT Augustine Wan, 37
"Slotman" / 16 years in service / 2,300 flying hours

"When we are flying at high speeds, our planes can be within a few feet of one another, wingtip to wingtip, so we have to work closely and trust in one another."
On why the Double Inverted Wrap is such a special manoeuvre to him

Black Knight #5
MAJ Eugene Lim, 37
"Lead Solo" / 16 years in service / 2,100 flying hours

"The F-16 is a fast, aggressive fighter jet and the Low and Slow Manoeuvre shows its elegance and graceful side. It demonstrates the grace and power of the F-16 at low levels."
On why he loves going Low and Slow

Black Knight #6
CPT Chang Haw Ning, 33
"Opposing Solo" / 13 years in service / 2,200 flying hours

"We are one of the few aerobatic teams in the world who are flying combat-ready aircraft. So when the audience looks at our show, they can expect a lot of speed and a lot of the loud engine noise. And that will give them a rush."
On why audiences absolutely must catch the Black Knights

Be a Black Knight
Fly an F-16C Fighting Falcon

Instructions: Cut along the solid lines, and fold along the dotted lines. Glue numbered parts with corresponding portions in white.

Recommended Paper: Any brand of paper, A4 size/120gsm

Tools you'll need: Colour printer, hobby knife or scissors, cutting mat, glue and ruler

Download [PDF]