Airshow draws 71,000

Ground displays of aircraft a big hit, but some spectators feel let down by flying shows By Karamjit Kaur, Aviation Correspondent

MORE than 71,000 people caught the Singapore Airshow over the weekend, with many visitors happy that delays caused by security checks and transport woes - the two biggest complaints that had plagued the event in previous years - were less of a problem.

This time, getting in and out of the Changi Exhibition Centre, near the airport, was a breeze. Previously, visitors had complained that there were not enough shuttle buses and registration counters, which in turn led to long queues.

However, some felt that the flying displays this year were a letdown.

Unlike the previous airshow in 2008, when visitors were wowed by the heart-stopping aerobatic displays of the Black Knights - the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) aerial display team - and the Royal Australian Air Force's Roulettes, the flying segment this year featured mainly displays by single aircraft.

The Royal Australian Air Force's F-111 strike aircraft, which was supposed to perform an air manoeuvre, dropped out after a technical fault last Friday.

It was scheduled to perform a 'dump and burn', in which the plane releases some of its fuel while in flight, and then ignites the fuel with its afterburners to form a trail of fire.

(source: www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_487884.html)