Three National Display Teams Head Airshow Flying

Formation aerobatics will be a big feature during the extended 90-minute daily flying displays at Asian Aerospace 2000. For the first time in its history the prime formation aerobatics teams of three nations are taking part in what the industry commonly calls the "Changi Show."

Joining the host nation's RepSAF Black Knights is the French Air Force's world-famed Patrouille de France, and the Royal Australian Air Force's Roulettes.

And each of these teams will be laying down a milestone. For what is thought to be the first time in such displays, the Black Knights will be mounted on two different types, flying both their familiar A-4 Skyhawks and two newer F-16s in an integrated six-ship routine.

The Patrouille de France, with its eight Alphajets, is making its first-ever visit to Asia and is spearheading a particularly strong Gallic presence, while the Roulettes, performing with six turboprop Pilatus PC-9 trainers, challenge old Aussie stereotypes by including the first female member of a military national display team.

More than 65 types of military and civil aircraft are taking part in the flying and static displays, among them a number of debutantes in the region. These include the Eurofighter - now officially Typhoon - which is to be seen here with an impressive array of armament, and the mockup of Bell/Agusta's unique BA609 tiltrotor VTOL transport.

The noisier and more aggressive participants in the daily flying displays include the Dassault Rafale and Mirage 2000C, the very widely selling Lockheed Martin F-16, and the AH-64D Apache and Westland Super Lynx attack helicopters.

The heat and intensity of competition in the international business jet market is reflected in the variety of aircraft on display, ranging from the Boeing Business Jet through the long-legged Bombardier Global Express and Gulfstream V rivals to the Cessna Citation Excel for those corporations or tycoons with more modest requirements.

By Bob Rodwell