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.
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.
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 !
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 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).
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.
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.
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.
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!
The graceful curved upturned wingtip of the Airbus A350-900. The shape of things to come.
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?
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.
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.
GPS Coordinates: 1.364025, 104.022153 (Map from official site)
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.
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.
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
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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