SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 2010 TO SHOWCASE SOME OF THE RSAF'S FINEST

See the action and feel the excitement at this year's Singapore Airshow as pilots from the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) aerobatics team take to the skies with a F-16 fighter and an Apache helicopter to wow the crowds with their sleek manoeuvres executed with precision and agility.

One of the highlights of the Singapore Airshow 2010 is a 15-minute aerial display which boosts a combination of exhilarating solo performances by the fighter jet and the helicopter as well as an integrated showcase demonstrating pin-point coordination between the two as they scale the skies in impressive formations.

The public can catch the F-16 fighter aircraft and the Apache helicopter in a breathtaking Flypast at the event on 6 and 7 Feb. Visitors will witness the two aircraft coming together in a synchronised fashion before parting ways in a head-on manoeuvre called the Flash Past.

According to 34-year-old Major (MAJ) Sim Poh Joo who will be steering one of the F-16 fighters during the aerial display, the Flash Past manoeuvre is "to create the visual impact for the crowd that we are coming close". As such, spectators on the ground will see the two different aircraft coming within close range of each other.

"The distance between the two aircraft is close enough to excite the crowd but it's a safe distance and we'll be far enough and staying within our safety boundaries," he enthused.

Bringing together two different aircraft types and ensuring that they meet in the skies proved to be quite a challenge for the aerobatics team. Getting two pilots who are powering two different aircraft to fly in synch with each other is certainly no easy feat.

"The speed window that we can meet is actually very small and that actually limits the number of manoeuvres that we can do together. We are different from a formation of similar type aircraft that can actually fly in formation together for a long time," MAJ Sim told cyberpioneer.

For the Flypast, the Apache helicopter will be flying close to its maximum speed while the F-16 fighter will be flying close to its minimum or landing speed.

"The Flypast is to show how two completely different aircraft can come together," said MAJ Jeffrey Yeo, who will be piloting the Apache helicopter during the performance.

MAJ Yeo has been flying the Apache Helicopter since 2001 and has clocked over 1,100 flying hours.

With the Flash Past, the challenge for the pilots lies in the precision of the timing.

"It needs precise synchronisation between both pilots in terms of the speed that we fly and the rate that we turn because if anyone of us is out in the timing, then the visual impact will be less than desired," explained MAJ Sim, who has been flying the F-16 fighter since 1998 and has clocked more than 2,100 flying hours.

Without a dedicated aerobatic squadron, the full-time operational pilots from the RSAF got themselves up to speed within a short timespan when tasked to carry out the aerial display.

To prepare for their performance comprising a total of 18 manoeuvres with each lasting for seconds, the two teams comprising four pilots have been training thrice a week for up to an hour each time since September last year.

Having trained together at deployments and exercises in the past, MAJ Sim and MAJ Yeo have cultivated much rapport. And as training for the upcoming aerial display heads into the final lap, they now have an even better understanding of each other's aircraft's strengths and weaknesses and how they are each employed in operational roles.

MAJ Sim is looking forward to thrill the crowds and showcase the RSAF's capability and professionalism to the public through the upcoming aerial display.

"I also hope to inspire the public to join the Air Force because I guess the best pilot in 20 years' time is probably one of the primary school children who is going to see our show, so we need to motivate and tell them early," he quipped.

The Singapore Airshow 2010, a biennial event which is into its second instalment, is the largest in Asia and is among the world's leading aerospace and defence exhibitions. With as many as 20 exhibitors showcasing their wares at the event, visitors will be spolit for choice with the array of static displays including jets, transport planes, helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

One of the exhibitors, leading engineering group Singapore Technologies Engineering will be featuring its cutting-edge products and capabilities tailored to meet the needs of commercial and defence customers.

Pilots from the RSAF aerobatic team will also be on hand to sign autographs and pose for the camera with members of the public at the RSAF recruitment booth.

The Singapore Airshow 2010 is available to trade visitors from 2 to 5 Feb and will only be opened to the public on 6 and 7 Feb.

Admission tickets are priced at $20 for an adult and $8 for a child who is between one and 12 years old. Alternatively, families can opt for a package of two adult tickets, two child tickets and one car park label for $100.

Visitors can also expect to be entertained with activities like the Youth Olympic Games showcase, live band performances, as well as Peranakan, Swiss and Belgian cultural experiences at the Singapore Airshow Carnival.

For more information, visitwww.singaporeairshow.com.sg.

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