>>> Asian Aerospace 2008 in Hong Kong?
by Derek Yeo


SPECULATION strongly suggests Hong Kong (HK) will be the next host city of the Asian Aerospace (AA) show, after its 13th and last show – from February 21 to 26 – in Singapore.

Aviation circles’ grapevine has it that it is a done deal, although the Hong Kong firm managing the venue and AA organisers are tight-lipped, when asked to comment.

AsiaWorld-Expo’s US$300 million site in HK – at 70,000 sq m – is about three times larger than AA’s present location at Singapore's Changi Exhibition Centre and a new airshow site under construction in Changi North. AsiaWorld-Expo, opened in Dec 2005, is a hop away from HK's Chep Lap Kok International Airport.

Since 1981, Asian Aerospace has staged its biennial show in Singapore. However last October, Reed Exhibitions – AA’s owner – decided to change the show’s location. The decision arose from its unresolved dispute with Singapore’s authorities on issues relating to AA’s new venue.

Aviation sources said the move to HK has its advantages. Asian Aerospace’s proximity to China means that show participants would have greater access to the vibrant Chinese aerospace market. China’s aerospace suppliers and manufacturers showcasing their products to the world literally at their doorsteps, would welcome the Hong Kong site.

In fact, Airbus - the giant European airplane maker - has estimated in a report that the Chinese air freight and passenger payloads will up by about 9 per cent yearly over the next decade.

Reed has already announced that it would spare no effort to woo Chinese aviation companies to become anchor exhibitors of the show in HK. It is working with China’s Chamber of Commerce (Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic products) to achieve this.

Without any confirmation, the search goes on for a new Asian Aerospace venue.

Singapore's Apache choppers return
by Derek Yeo


THREE BOEING AH-64D attack helicopters belonging to the Singapore Armed Forces, today re-deployed back to Singapore, after a four-year attachment to the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Peace Vanguard base in Arizona, USA.

Better known as Apache Longbow helicopters, the three aircraft are part of an original order of 20, Boeing received from Singapore worth US$1.2 billion. Since the first Apache delivery in May 2002, seven including the three ferried back have been delivered.

In its press statement on the Apaches' homecoming, the Ministry of Defence also disclosed that the helicopter will be on show at the Asian Aerospace 2006, 21 - 26 February.

The attack helicopters are expected to be stationed at the RSAF helicopter base at Sembawang.

French museum receives Singapore fighter-jet exhibits
by Derek Yeo


FRANCE’S AERONAUTICS MUSEUM – Musee de l’Air et de l’Espace – today received from Singapore, a boost to its world famous collection of aircraft and rockets.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force gave two of its retired Super Skyhawks to the museum for permanent display. In a ceremony at Cazaux Air Base, south-west France, museum and RSAF officials inked documents marking the aircraft’s transfer and acceptance. The two aircraft comprised a single-seat "singleton" A4-SU (pictured) and a twin-seat trainer TA4-SU.

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence, in a News Release, said the gift not only enabled sharing “a part of RSAF’s heritage with our French hosts; it also showed Singapore’s “appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the French Air Force to the RSAF”.

Eighteen Super Skyhawks had been operating from RSAF’s advanced jet training detachment at Cazaux since 1998.

The French Aeronautics Museum, elated over the Singaporean gesture, could expect delivery of the aircraft late 2006.

Some polytechnics in Singapore had received retired Super Skyhawks too, as learning aids.

>>> Britons killed in Australia crash
by BBC News


TWO BRITONS WERE among five skydivers killed after their plane crashed shortly after take-off in Australia.

The UK Foreign Office confirmed the deaths of the British man and woman but have not released their names as next of kin have not been notified.

An Irishman and two Australians also died, while two people survived. There were three trainee skydivers, three instructors and a pilot on board.

The Cessna 206 plunged into a reservoir near the town of Ipswich in Queensland.

The aircraft seemed to have difficulty gaining height after it took off, said Ipswich police inspector Noel Powers.

Witnesses reported seeing a plume of smoke from the back of the plane before it clipped a tree and crashed into the lake, he added.

Emergency services found the plane, operated by the Brisbane Skydiving Centre, submerged upside down in the water about 1,600ft (487 metres) from its take-off point.

One of the survivors, a 57-year-old man who owned the skydiving club, was flown to a hospital in Brisbane with major injuries, according to police spokeswoman Kim McCoombe.

The other survivor, a woman, aged 27, was being treated for more minor injuries at a hospital close to the scene of the crash, about 45 miles (72km) from Brisbane.

Reports of smoke "gives us some clues as to where we have to look", said ATSB deputy director Alan Stray.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is to conduct an investigation.

He said the aircraft's engine, which should have enabled it to climb quickly after takeoff, would be taken away for analysis.

According to the Australian Parachute Federation, the crash is the worst skydiving accident in the country's history.

Acknowledgement: Story and illustration by BBC News

>>> India-Singapore air drill
by Derek Yeo



FOR THE SECOND time since October 2004, India and Singapore deployed their air forces in a joint exercise - named 'Sindex' - from yesterday to 20 Jan.

Eight Singapore F-16s flew direct from Tengah airbase to Kalaikunda air force station (East India), the exercise venue. A KC-135 tanker from the Singapore air force sustained the F-16s during the four and a half-hours flight with air-to-air refuelling.

Both air forces enjoy strong ties; these are set to grow with exercise 'Sindex'.