Remarks: A RAF 6 Sqn Typhoon performs a steep ascent after a touch-and-go as part of its aerial display at Langkawi. Four Typhoons from the squadron had flown some 7000 miles from RAF Leuchars to RMAF Butterworth to participate in a 3 weeks long multilateral Exercise Bersama Lima following which, a number remained to wow crowds during the airshow. LIMA 2011
Remarks: With landing gears retracting, a cleanly configured Malaysian Su-30MKM roars off RWY 21 to begin it's aerial display routine on the first trade day of LIMA Airshow 2011. LIMA 2011
Remarks: A Hornet of the RMAF on static display with a rather peculiar warload of 2 x AIM-9, 1 x AIM-7, 2 x AIM-120, 1 x AGM-65 and 1 x AGM-84, all inert rounds of course. Delivered in 1997, the fleet of 8 aircraft is scheduled to undergo an upgrade programme by Boeing. LIMA 2011
Remarks: Seahawk #263 flew 700+km from Singapore to Langkawi under its own power, with a stopover in Penang. Owned by the RSN but operated by the RSAF's 123 Sqn, these six platforms ushered in a new dimension in Anti-Submarine/Surface Warfare when introduced in 2010. LIMA 2011
Remarks: An Armée de l'Air Rafale swings out from its parking spot for an evaluation flight with an RMAF pilot in the backseat. The Rafale is one of four contenders for RMAF's Multi-role Combat Aircraft programme. The last time a Rafale was in this region was during the Asian Aerospace 2004 airshow in neighboring Singapore. LIMA 2011
Remarks: A Tentera Laut DiRaja Malaysia/Royal Malaysian Navy Fennec makes a landing on Langkawi Airport's tarmac. The fleet of six choppers fulfill a variety of roles from naval air crew training to MediEvac and even over-the-horizon-targeting. LIMA 2011
Remarks: A pair of 701 SQN Gripens position and hold on RWY 21 prior to their simultaneous takeoff back home to Surat Thani Air Base, after having spent all their time on the ground during the trade show. 701 SQN was only recently declared fully operational with their 6 Gripens in July 2011. LIMA 2011
Remarks: M43-01 rolls onto LGK's RWY 21 for launch as part of the Smokey Bandits's late morning aerial display. It was certainly splendid to be able to shoot this Mig-29NUB as there are only 2 of these twin-seaters in the 16 (or less) strong fleet of Migs operated by the Malaysian air force. LIMA 2011
Remarks: Adorned with special tail scheme to commemorate the Malaysian Air Force's 53rd anniversary, the lead aircraft of the 5 Mig-29s which form the RMAF's aerobatic display team, the 'Smokey Bandits', lines up on RWY 21 with some lush tropical vegetation as the backdrop. LIMA 2011
Remarks: 17 Squadron's Mig-29 M43-03, with its new stunning tail art scheme commemorating the air force's 53rd anniversary, is seen here parked on the tarmac as part of the LIMA Airshow. M43-03 also flies as the lead aircraft in the RMAF aerobatic display team, the 'Smokey Bandits'. LIMA 2011
Remarks: 'Austrian 7' taxis to RWY 02C for departure on the second leg of it's Vienna-Singapore-Melbourne flight. Austrian/Lauda flights stopped over in SIN in wee hours, so when this morning's flight was horribly delayed, we just had to be out there! The airline's flights to Down Under have been withdrawn since March 2007. *(TOP SHOTS OF THE DAY)*
Remarks: Once upon a time when A310s were the regional workhorses for Singapore Airlines. These were retired in May 2003 when the airline faced weak passenger loads due to the SARS health crisis. 9V-STF (rego currently used on an A330) is seen here on a test flight shortly before her delivery to Air India where she would fly as VT-AIP. She was then converted into a freighter in 2009 for Deccan 360. Her current status is reported as 'stored'.
Remarks: CAG bird of the VAW-116 Sun Kings embarked onboard USS Abraham Lincoln which made a port call in Singapore. The Carrier Strike Group had participated in relief efforts in Banda Aceh following devastating earthquakes and tsunamis in the region on Dec 26 2004. As indicated by the SATCOM antenna on the rotodome, this aircraft has been upgraded to Hawkeye 2000 standard but still lacked the 8-bladed propellers. She has since been reassigned to VAW-115 Liberty Bells.
Remarks: A No. 2 Flying Training School PC-9 is seen here on display at the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia Open Day at Jandakot Airport, some 50km southwest from where it is based at RAAF Base Pearce. RAAF and RAN trainee pilots undergo a 34-week training program at No. 2 FTS following basic flight training on CT/4 Airtrainers in Tamworth.
Remarks: Flight DJ223 from Melbourne, operated by Papa India, is moments from completion as she taxis to gate after arrival on RWY 05. In half-an-hour or so, I'll be flying on her back to Perth as flight DJ717!
