After more than a year of discussions and planning, Singapore Airshow 2012 has been and gone.
The event was even bigger than I anticipated. Over US$30B in aircraft sales were negotiated, record trade displays and attendees and a totally sold out public weekend are just some of the main achievements.
This Airshow seems to be going from strength to strength, now being run by Experia Events.
The profile is huge, the biggest event in Asia and toted as the 3rd biggest in the world!
There were many firsts with our attendance.
It was the first time an unlimited or stunt type aerobatic aircraft had been involved in the 30 year history of Singapore Airshows. I can't say how proud I am to have been the person they entrusted to bring this type of display to Singapore. By nature, aviation in Singapore is very conservative, there is very little general aviation and no aerobatic flying conducted there. You might imagine that their airworthiness folks were very interested in my participation. Experia had taken a risk with this and luckily, with top feedback from airshow attendees, the risk has paid off.
This was also the first time I had performed outside Australia. It was very much a test case to see if we would undertake future overseas events. There was so much we learnt. By we, I mean Nathan Lewis and I. Nathan is a fellow ADF instructor at the Defence Flying School (ADF BFTS). Over a coffee one day I mentioned that I'll be taking someone to Singapore to support me. He immediately insisted it should be him. Nathan had no idea what he was getting himself into - I'm afraid I worked him very hard. Given the two of us did everything from aircraft re-assembly, to security, immigration, flying committee approvals, aircraft daily inspections including re-fueling and smoke oil sourcing, sponsor attendances, various radio and other media interviews, spectator autograph and photo sessions, daily aircraft transport (to and from the static display site), aircraft disassembly and packing into the container, oh and by the way, there were flying displays to be done daily with a team of experts watching and assessing my every move (or should I say maneuver). Often we were too busy to stop and appreciate what we were achieving, now with time to reflect, I can't thank Nathan enough for his support - thanks mate!
There were other people who helped too. Before leaving Australia, my "normal crew", Stuart Hutchison and Les Day spent two days helping disassemble the aircraft and develop a safe way to pack it into the container.
The aircraft is still on it's way back home, so these guys will probably be helping me again soon ... This type of support is essential to my operations, thanks guys! In Singapore, MAJ Aviation were superb in their support with aircraft assembly and the transit flight from Seletar to Changi - I could probably write a book on that experience alone ... Once in location, the support from the organizers was impeccable. We had issues, mainly because we were the only small piston engined aircraft at Changi, but these were easily resolved in time.
We have developed many efficiencies in our processes from this event, mainly involving the aircraft logistics. There have been many lessons learned too on how to interact with the international airshow/corporate industry.
I would feel very confident with future events of this nature.
Nathan Lewis and I during our first day full day at Changi.
So as a test case, I'm calling it an enjoyable and rewarding success and I look forward to future overseas performances!
Thanks again to all those who assisted Blair Aerosport at Singapore Airshow 2012!
(I've included a few pictures here but there are many around the web and on my Facebook page.)
Safe flying,
Tony
Good smoke is a must!
Nathan and Fiona, Angela and myself.
You can't do that in an F16 or F15, and that's why we were at Singapore Airshow!
Spin ...
My office!
Very clear shot of me flying on the practice day, taken by Mark Wagner.
Check out his other photos on the web.
No comment required ...
This photo was very popular in the media. The caption from China Daily read:
"Two chaplains from Canada and Belgium watch a performance of the Rebel 300 aerobatic aircraft flown by Tony Blair of Australia's Blair Aerosport during an aerial display at the Singapore Airshow in Singapore Feb 16, 2012. The largest airshow in Asia runs from Feb 14 to Feb 19."
No jokes thanks, that was a really big sign ...
The MD of Experia, Mr Jimmy Lau and his fiance. Both lovely people, full of support and encouragement.
Nathan with my wing at MAJ Aviation during re-assembly at Seletar.
A leaking hose cost us a practice session and some stress trying to find a replacement. However, with a month in transit and 11 flights in country, it was the only issue we had with the aircraft - not too bad!
Nathan at our favourite eatery - Chef's Kitchen near Bugis.
Breitling Observation Tower before the crowds had arrived.
The ground crew were excellent and even made this tow bar!
It wasn't all hard work.
It's a shame I'm not this popular with my own family ...
Charlie White from Hill & Knowleton helped a great deal with the media events and we all got on well.
This is an invention we wanted to take back to Australia - love it!
This cool looking guy is Bernie Chan from LORD Corporation. Bernie took the time to educate us on all sorts of interesting things in Singapore - thanks for your hospitality Bernie!
Spinning on another day.
