RSAF Open House 2001

Factsheet - RSAF Open House 2001

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will open its door to the public on 1 and 2 Sep 2001 for the RSAF Open House held at the Paya Lebar Air Base. The Open House, with the theme " World Class People, First Class Air Force", will provide the public an opportunity to better understand the combat capabilities of the RSAF in an atmosphere of fun and excitement. The RSAF Open House will showcase the air force as a formidable armed force - an achievement made possible with a combination of advanced technology and committed people.

For the first time, the public can come up close with the KC-135 air-to-air refuelling aircraft and the Chinook CH-47 D helicopter on static display at the Open House. The Chinook will also heli-lift a Light Strike Vehicle in the RSAF aerial display. The public can also go on joy rides on the Fokker 50 aircraft and Singapore Youth Flying Club Piper Warrior, as well as visit the Air Force Museum. For those who are interested to meet stars, seven Channel U artistes will be down at the air base for the evening concerts on 1 and 2 Sep 2001.

Here are some of the perennial favourites at the RSAF Open House:

Aerial Display

Visitors to the Open House will have the opportunity to watch the F-16 C/D and F-5 fighters perform scramble demonstrations, flybys, touch and go landing. They will also be able to witness the Light Strike Vehicle being under slung by the Chinook CH47D and the A-4SU Super Sky Hawks executing high-speed fly-past. The aerial display will also include Guardsmen rappelling from the Super Puma helicopter as well as a freefall performance by the Commandos and the Red Lions. There will be two aerial displays each day, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. on 1 Sep (Sat), and 12.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. on 2 Sep (Sun).

C-130, F-50 And Piper Warrior Rides

This year, more visitors can experience flying in an RSAF aircraft with the new addition of the Fokker 50 and the old favourite - the C-130. The twenty-minute rides will bring visitors over MacRitchie Reservoir, Sentosa and St. John’s Island. There will be five C-130 and four Fokker 50 flights on each day. Visitors can participate in Singapore Youth Flying Club

Contest and win a chance to fly on the Piper Warrior aircraft. There will be four draws daily and entry forms for the contest can be obtained from the RSAF Pavilion.

Static Display

Get up close to the KC-135 and Chinook, displayed for the first time at the Open House. See all the RSAF aircraft, a wide array of air defence systems and equipment on display at the fairground which include the F-16C/D, E-2C Hawkeye, Fokker-50, C-130, A-4SU Super Skyhawk, F-5, Fennec, UH-1H, Super Puma, I-Hawk, Rapier, RBS-70, Chukar III, Mistral, P-Star Radar, Igla Missile and Oerlikon Gun. This showcases that the RSAF is constantly keeping abreast of the latest technology by constantly upgrading itself and acquiring new equipment to enhance its operational capabilities.

Military Demonstrations and Ground Drills

There will arming demonstrations of the F-16 and F-5 fighter aircraft by the respective Aircraft Arming Teams. Visitors can also watch the precision rifle drills and dog shows by the Singapore Armed Forces Provost Unit (SAFPU).

RSAF Pavilion

As part of the Open House, the RSAF will be organising a mini-exhibition at the RSAF Pavilion. Housing 22 booths, the RSAF Pavilion will feature exhibits on the latest developments in the fields of aviation operation and technology. Participants include the RSAF, Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), Singapore Technologies Aerospace, BAE Systems, BOEING International, Dassault Aviation, Israel Aircraft Industries and Rafael Far East. One of the highlights is the Air Force 21 Exhibition, which showcases the Air Force’s vision as a first-class fighting force in the new millennium.

Simulator and Site Visits

There will be tours to the Base Central Debriefing Station, Complete Engagement Simulator, Flight Simulator Centre, Aeromedical Centre as well as the Air Force Museum. These visits will provide the public with a good perspective on the development of the RSAF over the years, as well as the training RSAF personnel undergo. These sites will be open to visitors at 10.00 a.m. on 1 Sep (Sat), and at 8.30 a.m. on 2 Sep (Sun). The highlights at the sites are as follows:

Base Central Debriefing Station. You never know what takes place out in the skies during an aerial combat. With advanced technology, the public can catch a glimpse of how the pilots go about their manoeuvres. Visit the Base Central Debriefing Station (BCDS) to see what our pilots go through in the air combat environment. The BCDS resembles a mini movie theatre and houses an advance instrumentation system called Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) that allows the RSAF to present these details in the classroom environment.

Complete Engagement Simulator. Visitors can see the state-of-the-art Complete Engagement Simulator (CES), which trains RSAF Air Defence Artillery operators on the use of air defence weaponry. This sophisticated simulator is capable of generating realistic operational

2 scenarios for crew training. It is also one of the few in the world that allows simulator training for different types of Short Range Air Defence weapon systems.

Flight Simulator Centre. All RSAF trainees learn the basics of handling a fighter plane at the Flight Simulator Centre. Visitors can see how RSAF pilot trainees conduct combat flying inside the simulated cockpits of A-4SU and F-5 aircraft, practice take-off and landing drills, pre-flight checks and procedures.

G-Flight Environment Trainer (G-FET) and Hypobaric Chamber At Aeromedical Centre. RSAF pilots flying high performance aircraft such as the A-4SU, F-5 and F-16 can be subjected to high acceleration forces when they execute tight turns or pull up after a steep dive. The G-FET can build up a pilot’s tolerance of the high acceleration forces in a safe and controlled environment and help them recognise and take necessary measures to counter the physiological stresses developed during flight. The Hypobaric Chamber conditions pilots on the physiological effects of hypoxia, which is encountered when pilots fly at high altitudes. It also allows for simulation of emergencies that result from failure or aircraft oxygen systems or aircraft pressurisation. Visitors to the G-FET and Hypobaric Chamber will be able to see how our RSAF pilots train.

Air Force Museum. Opened in March this year, the Air Force Museum comprises an outdoor gallery and nine indoor galleries that trace the history of the RSAF and project development beyond the new millennium. A special feature of the RSAF museum is the assimilation and extensive use of information technology in its exhibits. The use of multimedia in the galleries will make the trip to the Air Force Museum an enjoyable experience for visitors.

Visitors to the RSAF Open House must not miss the Singapore Youth Flying Club´s outdoor and indoor aeromodel flying display at the Air Force School Stadium and Hangar One respectively.

Fun and Entertainment

There will be a fun-filled carnival and entertainment programmes for all visitors to the RSAF Open House:

Performance by SAF Music and Drama Company (MDC) and MediaWorks Artistes. Look forward to variety shows and dance performances put up by MDC daily. Expect to see Channel U celebrities like Kym Ng, Bryan Wong, Ix Shen, Celeste Chong, Apple Hong, Jeanette Aw and Lynn Poh performing with the MDC during the Grand Concert on both evenings from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Know Our Air Force Contest. For those who know the RSAF well, do not hesitate to take part in the contest where one can stand to win SingTel Teleshop vouchers and aeroplane air- fix models. The contests will be open from 10 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 4 pm for Saturday. For Sunday, it is from 8.00am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm.

Young Pilot’s Dream. Aspiring to be a pilot? Want to know how you look in a flight suit? Visitors can do their bit for charity by donning flying suits and helmets and have their polariod taken with real RSAF pilots for a fee of $3 to $5. All proceeds will be donated to the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) and the SAF Benevolent Fund.

SAF Officers’ Wives Club Charity Drive. Collect a limited edition RSAF 2001 watch, which will be launched in conjunction with the Open House. Priced at only $20 each, there will only be 1,000 pieces (each piece will bear an individual serial number) up for grabs. Visitors to this booth can browse through 15,000 used books and find their favourite books at bargain prices, or purchase special RSAF souvenirs and T-shirts. Collection from the sale of these items will be donated to MINDS and the SAF Benevolent Fund.

Food and Games. Visitors can rest their feet and savour local delights at the food court or play exciting and challenging aviation games at the carnival stores.

Kids’ Zone. Children can treat themselves to unlimited, free-of-charge rides on the Airfield Fire Engine, battery operated cars and scooters. These young visitors can also experience the sensation of being a gunner or put their marksmanship to the test with the 35 Anti-aircraft Gun Swing Ride. Alternatively, they can also have a whale of a time at the inflatable children’s playground.

Getting There

Admission to the RSAF Open House 2001 is free. The opening hours are from 10 am to 8.30 pm on Sat, 1 Sep and from 8 am to 8.30 pm on Sun, 2 Sep. The RSAF has made arrangements for free shuttle services from Eunos MRT Station to the RSAF Open House. These shuttle services will run from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm on Sat and 8.00 am to 10.00 pm on Sun. Visitors can also take SBS Service No. 90 from Toa Payoh Interchange. Parking lots are limited and visitors are encouraged to take the public transport to the air base.