Welcome to my pictorial article on the Singapore Airshow 2024. This current edition of the bi-annual airshow was held on the 20-25th February, with the last 2 days opened to the public. This year’s airshow featured the largest number of foreign flying teams at the Singapore Airshow. Out of six air forces – five of them are from overseas. The event organisers of the Singapore Airshow reported the 2024 trade event, recorded its highest attendance rate in its 18-year history. Almost 60,000 trade visitors attended the Singapore Airshow 2024, up from the 50,000 expected and 10 percent more than the previous record event in 2018, immediately before the pandemic.
Indian Air Force – Sarang Helicopter Display Team
The Sarang Helicopter Display Team from the Indian Air Force. 1st time for the Singapore Air Show.The Sarang aerobatic team is renowned for their dazzling displays of precision flying skills and maneuvers. They showcase the capabilities of Indian Air Force pilots and aircraft through their performances at air shows and events both domestically and internationally.The Sarang Aerobatic Team was formed in 2003 and operates under the No. 151 Helicopter Unit of the Indian Air Force.“Sarang” is a Sanskrit word that means “peacock.” It’s a fitting name for an aerobatic team, as peacocks are known for their beautiful and vibrant displays, much like the aerial maneuvers performed by the Sarang aerobatic team.The Sarang team videographer. Hope he got some nice footage.
The Royal Australian Air Force – The Roulettes
The Roulettes were formed in 1970 and have since become one of the most iconic aerobatic teams in Australia. The team last performed at the Singapore Airshow in 2012.The team currently flies the Pilatus PC-21, which is an advanced turboprop trainer aircraft. The PC-21 is known for its agility and performance capabilities, making it well-suited for aerobatic maneuvers.The team conducts about 150 flying displays annually in Australia and friendly countries around the Southeast Asian region. The Roulettes form part of the RAAF Central Flying School at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria.The Roulettes pilots flew 7 hours 45 minutes in 3 flights to make it from Broome to Singapore. Salute to the “good-looking dudes in blue”!Always nail-biting to see aircraft crisscross like this. In the air, distances are clocked in milliseconds which is dangerous. But that’s where the excitement is.Many of the pilots also fly other aircraft, including fighter jets like the F/A-18 Hornet, a multi-role fighter aircraft used by the RAAF for various missions, including air defense, ground attack, and reconnaissance.The Roulettes perform at air shows, public events, and military celebrations across Australia. Their displays showcase precision flying, intricate formations, and daring aerobatic maneuvers, entertaining audiences and promoting the capabilities of the RAAF.
Indonesian Air Force – The Jupiters
The Jupiter Aerobatic Team of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU) returns to thrill the crowd.The team currently flies the KAI KT-1B Wong Bee, which is a turboprop primary trainer aircraft manufactured by the Indonesian aerospace company, Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI). The KT-1B is known for its maneuverability and reliability, making it suitable for aerobatic displays.The Jupiter Aerobatic Team was formed in 1996 and is the official aerobatic display team of the Indonesian Air Force.
Airbus A350-1000
The Airbus A350-1000 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner makes its debut. The A350-1000 is the largest variant in the Airbus A350 family. It typically seats around 366 passengers in a typical three-class configuration. It has a max range of about 16,100 kilometers, making it ideal for long-haul flights.
COMAC 919
The COMAC C919 makes its debut. It is a narrow-body twinjet airliner developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), a state-owned aerospace manufacturer. The C919 is designed to compete with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 series. It can typically accommodate around 158 to 168 passengers in a standard two-class configuration. It’s currently approved only for flights within China.
ROKAF – Black Eagles
The Black Eagles, formed in 1994, returned to perform exhilarating new aerobatic maneuvers showcasing the skill and precision of ROKAF pilots.The Black Eagles have performed at numerous air shows and events around the world, including the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the UK, the Dubai Airshow, and our Singapore Airshow 2024.In 1967, a new display team, the Black Eagles, was formed. It operated between 1966 through 1978 and flew seven Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighters. From 1966 to 1969 the aircraft were F-5As. Flying was suspended from 1970 to 1972, and from 1973 to 1978 the aircraft used were RF-5As. In 1978 the team was disbanded to enhance defense preparedness.Close-up picture of one of the Black Eagles cockpit in flight. The full-time aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, was re-established as the 2nd flight of the 238th Fighter Squadron, the 8th Fighter Wing on December 12, 1994, and flew six Cessna A-37B Dragonfly airplanes. On April 1, 1999, the flight was detached from the 238 FS and became the 239th Aerobatic Flight Squadron.
RSAF – F15SG Strike Eagle and AH64 Apache
The RSAF aerial display with an F15SG and an AH64 opened the aerial display at the event. The finale of the aerial display was the Golden Salute, where the Apache performed a steep spiral descent while the F-15SG did a steep climb simultaneously behind it releasing flares.
Static Display and Event Hall Exhibition
Embraer E195E2 The Tech Eagle certainly turned heads at the Singapore Airshow 2024 and is the most photogenic, too. It also helps that their booth hands out free healthy ice cream to guests. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. It has the most advanced and comprehensive sensor suite of any fighter jet in history. The RSAF has exercised a contractual option to acquire eight more F-35B fighter jets, bringing its fleet to 20 (8 F35A, 12 F35B) aircraft that manufacturer Lockheed Martin will deliver by the end of the decade.The RSAF F15SG twin exhausts. One of my favourite photo angles.The USAF workhorse – C17 (nicknamed Moose). Here are some interesting facts – it can take off from a 2359.15-meter airfield, carry a payload of up to 74,797 kg, fly 6,230 nautical miles with no payload, and refuel while in flight. and land in 914 meters or less on a small unpaved or paved airfield day or night.The C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft that was developed for the United States Air Force (USAF) from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The C17 is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines, which are based on the commercial Pratt and Whitney PW2040 used on the Boeing 757. Each engine is rated at 40,440 pounds of thrust and includes thrust reversers that direct the flow of air upward and forward to avoid ingestion of dust and debris.Stewart Air National Guard Base, located in Orange County, New York, is the base of the 105th Airlift Wing (105 AW), an Air Mobility Command unit of the New York Air National Guard and “host” wing for the installation. The airport is also a hub for extensive civilian facilities, known alternately as Newburgh-Stewart, Stewart International Airport, or New York Stewart International.The USAF crew having a team chat at the static display area. The AH64 Apache Target Acquisition and Designation Sights, Pilot Night Vision System (TADS/PNVS) is the combined sensor and targeting unit fitted to the Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter. Both systems are independent, but housed together.The M230 Chain Gun is used on the Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, mounted on the chin turret. It uses a 2 hp (1.5 kW) electric motor to fire 30 mm (1.2 in) linkless ammunition at a rate of 625±25 rounds per minute. The German Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas. It is a European four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed by Airbus Defence and Space, as a tactical airlifter with strategic capabilities.Complimentary electric buggy service for event exhibitors and trade visitors around the sprawling venue. China unveiled the Changhe Z-10-ME-02, which some analysts have since compared to Boeing’s AH-64 Apache. This export version carries rocket launchers, GR5 guided rockets, and air-to-air missiles CM-502KG and TY-90. Chinese delegates have not granted interviews or scheduled any media briefings about the helicopter.The Airbus A350-1000 makes its graceful and slick entry to its aerial display segment. ST Engineering unveiled the Terrex S5, the latest iteration of its 8×8 armored platform, which aims at improving performances not only in the operational field but also in enhanced intelligence.A CFM Leap-1B engine made with Lego bricks at the Lufthansa Technik booth. It took 6 months to assemble, and this stunning engine is on a worldwide tour. Built at 60% of the powerplant’s actual size, it is made of some 400,000 Lego pieces and weighs 450 kg.An impressive F15 EX Flight Simulator at the exhibition hall.Plenty of scaled-down airliner models for aeromodelling fans to enjoy.
Conclusion
The Singapore Airshow will return in 2026 and I hope for even more varied foreign aerobatic teams to grace the skies. Many sincere thanks for coming along with the article. The pictures used in the article are all rights reserved and copyrighted to Jensen Chua Photography. The opinion expressed is factual, objective, and that of the author. Any inquiries for photography tips from the author can be posted here.
