Singapore Airshow 2014 (and RSAF 45th Anniversary)
The Singapore Airshow is Asia’s biggest & finest aerospace and defence exhibition. This event which is held biennially on even years, coincides with the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) 45th Anniversary this year. The Singapore-held event is a must-attend for aviation industry movers and shakers around the world, especially with the Asian aviation trade showing tremendous growth.
For the man on the street and military aircraft lovers, it’s one of the few opportunities to enjoy the spectacle of overseas aerobatic teams and getting up close with their favourite aerial machines. With the event being held in conjunction with the RSAF, there is a decidedly military feel, with many military weaponry and a swanky aircon exhibition hall that showcase the air force facts and history.
The event trade days for exhibitors and businesses are held from the 11th-14th February while it is opened to public on the 15th & 16th. Tickets to the event can be purchased only online. For more information on the event, you can visit their official page.
We were there during the media preview and this article aims to serve as a comprehensive guide for visitors of the Singapore Airshow 2014, with photos, plane descriptions, highlights of the event, tips and directions on how to get there.
Event highlights
Without doubt, the main highlight of the Singapore Airshow has to be its aerial displays. The aerobatic displays are subject to change and differ on specific days, so do check out the airshow website for latest updates. This year, the RSAF Black Knights have reunited and are back once again. The last time they flew was in 2008.
Visitors will be treated to thrilling flypasts, exciting formations and high precision stunts. The six Black Knights pilots are full-time operational military pilots who are selected from the cream of the crop.
The RSAF Black Knights
Experience the heart thumbing death-defying aerial stunts of the Black Knights F16s Falcon jets.
You will love the tight aerial formation and awesome teamwork among the Black Knights. Live commentary are provided by dynamic two military experts (ME) who are Flight Line crews.
Spell-binding close quarter stunts right before your eyes. Check out the planes new paintwork with our state flag painted over the top fuselage.
Watch out for the Black Knight leader jet performing a vertical climb while spinning and releasing real flares at the end their of aerial performance. A sight to behold !
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Black Eagles
Another exciting aerobatic team from the Singapore Airshow 2014 are the Black Eagles, an eight plane team from South Korea, which have won awards at international airshows.
The Black Eagles beautiful flips, loops, wingovers and colourful smoke trails will keep you entertained.
Amazing aerials stunt mastery by the South Korean team. Pay attention to the live feed by the team captain from the plane cockpit and aired over the spectator venue, for added excitement.
How’s this for close precision flying ? Nail biting stunts indeed!
This is no camera trick or photoshopping…they are that close. I really salute those fellows!
The Black Eagles – Be enthralled.
Jupiter Aerobatic – from Indonesia Air Force (TNI-AU)
The propeller driven planes, with their purring and more muted engines, shows some heart-thumping moves. They worked just as hard to thrill the spectators (Note they will not be performing on 16 Feb, Sunday).
Not as fast as jets, but the stunts are just as dangerous as you can see from this nail biting closeness.
MV-22B Osprey (Solo aerobatics)
Be treated to a rare sight of a plane that can also behave like a helicopter! This is one plane that the residents on Okinawa, Japan are familiar with as their arrival was quite a controversial issue.
Is it a plane? is it a helicopter? It’s both. The Osprey possesses the ability to land/take off vertically (VTOL). Great asset especially when all runways are not useable or damaged.
With the propellers facing forward, it’s in airplane mode.
The Osprey hovering like a humming bird over the sea to showcase it’s hovering ability.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F18 Super Hornet aka the “Rhino” (Solo aerobatic)
The really loud General Electric double turbofan engines will definitely send your heart racing and ears popping. Prepare to be excited.
Observe the “wingtip vortices” aka “smoke” that is generated as the pilot banks and steps on the afterburners.
The ‘smoke’ are actually cooled water vapour generated as air rushes quickly over the wing surface. The cockpit of the Super Hornet is considered to be the ‘Roll Royce’ of warplanes cockpits, as it’s streamlined, high-tech and less cluttered.
C17 Globemaster III – (Solo aerobatic, 15th Feb Sat only)
The C-17 Globemaster III is the latest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force.
The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo to deployment areas. It can also multi-task tactical airlift, airdrop missions and perform medical evacuation.
This plane came from it’s base in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
The C-17 Globemaster III will capture your attention with it’s quietness and grace, despite it’s huge size.
USAF F16C (Solo aerobatic – 16th Feb, Sunday only)
This United States Air Force (USAF) F16C will perform quick high-G turns, vertical climbs, turn-on-a-dime turn, slow flypast, etc. Moves from a USAF pilot, so enjoy the moment and sonic boom.
Singapore Airshow static displays
The static displays at the Singapore Airshow showcase a wide range of military aircrafts and civilian jets for all to see. But for the most popular jets like the RSAF F15SG and F16 Falcon, be prepared to wait in line just for the chance to sit in the cockpit, fiddle with knobs and have your pictures taken.
The F15SG plane on static display. Always a crowd favourite. Be prepared for the long queue.
The F16C Falcon, feel what it’s like to seat in a Black Knight. Have your Tom Cruise top-gun moment!
Check out Airbus latest A350-900. You may just be on this in your future trips.
The graceful curved upturned wingtip of the Airbus A350-900. The shape of things to come.
Another favourite crowd puller, the AH-64 Apache Longbow attack helicopter.
Mock-up weaponry of the F15SG. In real life, these precision guided weapons pack a HUGE punch.
Feel the power of M2 0.5″ heavy machine gun. The sound of this gun firing is enough to discourage any aggressor. It is also mounted on coastal patrol boats. Pirates skiffs can be sunk with just a few squeeze of the triggers!
Grab a pic with our airforce pilots, give them a high five for protecting our skies 🙂
Check out the cavernous interior of the C17 Globemaster III. You can also visit the pilots cockpit.
Have a picture taken in front of the huge Airbus A350 jet intake. How often can you do this?
The Indoor exhibition halls
The Singapore Airshow RSAF Exhibition Hall
If the scorching heat overwhelms you, retreat into the swanky RSAF aircon exhibition hall. You will love the respite… and loads of games and exhibits inside.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) section, the eye in the sky for troops on the ground.
A F15 Flight simulator, showing how it feel like from an F15 pilot perspective.
The Singapore Airshow exhibition hall
You may not be buying a drone or jetliner anytime soon. But the beautifully set-up airshow exhibition will entertain you for quite a while with the latest “toys” in town.
Singapore’s ST Engineering is a key exhibitor in the airshow.
Many civilian jets also on show. Enjoy the aircraft models.
TIPS for the Singapore Airshow
- Go early Really early. The static display opens at 830am. Don’t go at 8am at Expo and expect to reach at 830am. The long queue at the shuttle bus at Expo Hall pick up will set you back on your precious visitation time. Sometimes it’s ok to be kiasu. For those who actually bought the group tickets with the car park pass, please go really early too. The traffic volume may rival MCE opening days. You have been warned.
- Bring sunscreen and headcover. It’s going be scorching hot. Eye shades are a highly recommended.
- Bring water. There are drink kiosks but be prepared to queue and pay inflated prices.
- There are food dining halls. It’s not aircon but fan ventilated. But there is always a seating issue at such a venue. Have loads of patience too, as many visitors will want to sit down long after they finished their meals.
- Wear comfortable clothing, preferably providing coverage from the sun.
Getting to the Singapore Airshow
GPS Coordinates: 1.364025, 104.022153 (Map from official site)
By Car
Only vehicles with a valid Singapore Airshow 2014 car park label will be allowed access into the exhibition site. Car park labels are available for sale online at www.sistic.com to trade visitors at S$120 per day (inclusive of 7% GST but excluding SISTIC booking fees) for multiple-entry.
Route to Singapore Airshow via ECP
Take the ECP in the direction of Changi Airport and exit at Exit 2A towards Changi Coast Road. Drive along Changi Coast Road until you come to a right-turn junction of Changi Coast Road and Aviation Park Road. Look out for the sign that says “Changi Exhibition Centre”. Turn right at this junction into Aviation Park Road which will lead you to the CEC Car Park on your left as you approach the CEC.
By Taxi
There is a designated pick-up/drop off taxi bay at Changi Exhibition Centre. A S$10 location surcharge will be applicable if you are taking a taxi from the Show site. Changi Exhibition Centre 9 Aviation Park Road Singapore 498760
By Airshow or Hotel Shuttle Service
On Trade Days, hop onto the Airshow Shuttle bus operating between Singapore Expo and Changi Exhibition Centre to get to and fro the show site. Alternatively, trade visitors may also choose to take the Hotel Shuttle bus to get to the show site from the Singapore Airshow 2014 Official Hotels.
Hope you enjoyed this sneak preview. Have fun at the Singapore Airshow this weekend!
Disclosure: Media Invitation. The pictures used in this journal are copyrighted to Jensen Chua, all rights reserved.
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