Wednesday, May 25, 2011

RSAF Open House 2011: Ready for takeoff: Military aircraft "flights to nowhere" by Republic of Singapore Air Force Participation Command await lucky visitors to the RSAF Open House

Flights aboard Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) transport planes and Chinook helicopters (above) are among the highlights at this weekend's Air Force Open House.

The flights are free but will have to be won by ballot, with visitors picking the type of aircraft they hope to board before casting their ballot. Each winning ticket allows the winner to bring a friend along for the ride.

RSAF C-130 Hercules and Fokker 50 Utility aircraft will ferry visitors from Paya Lebar Airbase on "flights to nowhere" over the Singapore Strait before heading back to PLA.

A seat aboard the Chinook heavylift helicopter gives visitors a firsthand experience of how helicopter pilots and aircrewmen earn their pay.


The Chinooks will make high speed runs at a low but safe flight level over the Casuarina trees along Pasir Ris beach and the coastline off Sengkang before cutting across Singapore island for an aerial excursion over the city skyline.

Sea sights: Aerial view of Sembawang Wharves as the Chinook traces Singapore's northern shoreline. It was a treat flying past Senoko power station below the top of the chimney stacks. 

The flight rewards lucky visitors with an aerial perspective of Singapore which beats the view from Marina Bay Sands' Skypark.

Free, good fun. You must be Looney* not to enjoy this Chinook flight.

* Thank you Looney and friends for the ride. :-)

Show tip: Many visitors who try their luck for the rides do not stay around for the lucky draw results. Do lurk around the lucky draw when winners are announced as tickets will be drawn till all seats on the aircraft are filled.
Wear proper footwear as visitors in slippers and high heels will not be allowed to fly. More rules and regulations can be found on the RSAF Open House'11 website here.

7 comments:

Lim said...

so low till u can identify the Casuarina tree? Cant wait for this weekend

Ng said...

where else does the flight go to? hope I am one of the lucky ones!

David Boey said...

Hi Ng,
The Chinook took off from PLA and flew north towards JB. Turn left when feet wet, very low when over Casuarina trees, follow coastline past Sengkang, past Sembawang, overfly Causeway (!), Kranji Dam then turn left and feet dry on southern heading, fly past race course, Central Catchment area, feet wet around Pasir Panjang then turn left, fly past Sentosa, follow Marina Bay coastline, feet dry around Fort Road, back to PLA.

Hope this helps. Good luck with the lucky draw.

Regards,
David

Anonymous said...

I got balloted for either the C-130 or F50 (I only threw in 2 tix), but was in the exhibition hall and did not get to hear my name being read out over the PA.

A friend SMS me and ask what did I win wor *bang head* Unlucky lucky day for me today :P

Thought they would have use SMS to inform lucky winners *sigh*

David Boey said...

Hi Anonymous 4:11,
Best to hang around the lucky draw area. You can ask them when the draws will be conducted and station yourself there (please see the Show Tip above).

They would have called out your name several times. No response, then redraw.

You can try again tomorrow? Since you've already visited the exhibition you can literally park yourself at the lucky draw area.

Good luck! Huat Ah!

David

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip. I guess the ride was never meant to be. Maybe my luck will come out again the next time I buy lottery :)

BTW, I am quite surprised that they let everyone crowd and climb around the fighters. I could touch every parts of the Eagle!

Anonymous said...

Whoa. You got lucky at the preview, we never went below twice chimney height, near Jurong Island.