Singapore Airshow 2010 -- what's the big hoohah?

There is a piece of land with exhibition halls in Changi that mainly sees action twice a year. It is so rarely used that our taxi driver had to ask us for a postal code to enter into his GPS unit.

Changi Exhibition Centre is home to the Singapore Airshow, which my buddy and I were heading to. We went on a Trade day, to avoid the mad weekend crowds on the Public days.

The last time I went to see this airshow, it was known as Asian Aerospace. But the Asian Aerospace organizers had a disagreement with the Singapore Government so Asian Aerospace ended up in Hong Kong, and Singapore created a new airshow.

I actually went to two Asian Aerospace shows, the earliest ones with my wife (then girlfriend). So I have fond memories of the shows. I do not know how I managed to convince her to come along for a show that showcases aircraft and military hardware, things that usually appeal to blokes. And to come along TWICE.

She must have liked me a lot to be such a trooper.

This time, though, I went with Ryan, my cameraman and partner in crime. Our first stop was to see Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II.

We stood on the tarmac, baked by the ridiculously hot sun, and tried to determine whether the F-35 was for real.

"Fake one lah," said Ryan, using his powerful skills of observation to declare the F-35 merely a mockup.

That did not stop people from queuing up to climb into its cockpit. In fact, queuing seemed to be the default thing at the airshow.

People queued to see SAF aircraft like the Chinook, F16 and the Apache. People queued to see American planes like the C-130 cargo plane and KC-135 tanker (the flying petrol station). People queued to see the insides of private jets. 

I was wondering if some of these people were just hoping to dodge the mad heat by getting into a private jet or whether they really wanted to buy one. I can imagine the conversations:

Lady: "Darling, look! That Learjet so cute, let's go and see the inside!"

Dude: "I wonder how much is the road tax for that jet."

Lady: "The season parking at our HDB flat will surely be killer!"

I also got to speak to the Australian airmen near the RAAF F-111 Aardvark fighter-bomber. Australia is the last country still operating this classic from the Vietnam war and the Singapore Airshow was the last time people would probably see it do its 'dump and burn' stunt (the aircraft dumps some fuel and lights it up with its afterburner, like a giant flying cigarette lighter). The Aardvark is due for Australian retirement in December 2010.

It must have wanted to retire very badly because one of the F-111s had to make an emergency landing after a performance and was grounded after the incident. 

We then made our way to some of the commercial aircraft on display, and I climbed into a P-750 XSTOL propeller plane made in New Zealand. The gentleman from the company was most helpful, showing me how short a landing strip this little plane needs from some videos on his iPhone. The XSTOL can be used to carry skydivers or passengers, he told me. 

I didn't even know New Zealand made aircraft but I walked away most impressed. I wonder how many milk cows the P-750 can carry.

We escaped the heat of the outdoor area by ducking into the air-conditioned hall. The first thing I saw was a mockup of a F-15SG cockpit.

Yes, you heard me, F-15SG, SG for Singapore. Seems that there's a Singapore version of the plane, with its own designation. I suppose if you order enough units of a plane, you get naming rights. This Strike Eagle was made to Singapore's custom requirements, including better avionics and weapons systems. I asked if the Singapore government had asked for stronger air-conditioning inside, and was told, with a laugh, "Yes, I believe so."

Were there any other distinguishing marks on an F-15SG?

"The Merlion insignia, I suppose," said the gentleman.

Not eagle, not wolf, not phoenix. Just that merlion head. Methinks Singapore's air force needs a new, fiercer animal to slap on fighter planes they buy.

I am told the Korean version of the F-15, the F-15K, is called a Slam Eagle. I think Singapore should give the SG its own special name too. I suggest Penguin Eagle, for its better air-conditioning. 

Oh wait, the Penguin is a flightless bird. Scratch that idea.

The rest of the hall was mostly ho-hum. The hall was dominated by Singapore's own ST Engineering, who looked like they brought along every military product they sold and the kitchen sink. I really do mean kitchen sink because they even brought their own restaurant along. There was a dining area just for their clients on the second floor.

Most of the people I spoke to after the show told me the airshow this year was a little disappointing. They didn't see the aerial displays they wanted to see, like the ones involving aerobatic flying teams like the RSAF Black Knights, or the USAF Thunderbirds. The aerial displays were mainly of solo aircraft, and even so, some were canceled. Like the F-111 and another involving the Korean T-50 Golden Eagle (it flew too close to the spectators).

Still, I am sure everyone was impressed with the improved traffic conditions for the show. Taxis and cars flowed more efficiently than in the 2008 Singapore Airshow, the local papers declared proudly. After all, who goes to an airshow to see cool aerial displays anyway? Good traffic management is where it's at.

But if I go to the 2012 Singapore Airshow in two year's time, I am going to wear shorts. I don't care if the dress code insists on long pants. I am not going to be cooked in the Changi sun wearing slacks.