LIMA 2015 Part 04 (Day 1 of Exhibition) - Airshow

Just before the airshow began (which will take about 2.5 hours), we managed to get a sneak peak into a Falcon 7X Business Jet on display. Had to wait for a short while as they only allowed a few people in at a time. Of course, those inside would want to continue being inside as like some other aircraft on display, this one had an air conditioning unit connected to the baggage section of the jet, which cooled the entire cabin.

Spacious Cabin of the Falcon (N163FJ) Larger

Imagine being able to live in such luxury. Looks like the jet can seat approximately 8 people (maybe more) in great comfort. Seats have been tested and verified comfy. The cockpit boasts LCD and sidestick controllers. The visor gives the idea of how sunny and hot the place was.

Cockpit (and head) shot of the aircraft.

Just as I was waiting for a chance to have a seat in the cockpit, someone on the PA mentioned "... airshow will start in a moment". This was 30 minutes earlier than the scheduled time of 12:30pm. So we quickly rushed towards the runway, under the tail of one of the aircraft for shade, and waited for the airshow to start. By this time, all of us were quite dehydrated due to the scorching heat. Just take note that a bottle of 1.5L of water will cost you RM7 (if not more). Nothing we can do about, so do take note if you are going for the 2017 one.

RMAF Su-30MKM (M52-16)

First up was a solo performance by the RMAF's Mig replacement, the Su-30MKM. It is one LARGE aircraft and a loud one too. Upon takeoff, it did a sharp left turn and increased altitude for even more displays.

A NOTE TO ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS :

Snapping photos at 12:00 pm from the display area will give you frame filling shots (this was taken using a crop sensor body, 1.6x, at focal lengths of 200 mm to 300 mm depending on where the jet is), BUT, lighting will be incredibly horrible and would require lots of post processing.

Better to grab shots from an observation point on the opposite side. That would give you less backlighting, but you would need a lens with long focal lengths.

Cobra Manoeuvre (for your information, 300 mm)

Lots of high altitude displays, which makes it really hard to spot with the sun directly at you. A pic below shows just how big (small) it can be after you snap the photo.

Shutter speed of 1/500 at 300mm at F8.0

Parachutes and speedbrakes deployed

The performance took about 9 minutes. 

A sneak peak of what's coming up next.

Zivko Edge 540 (N540WA)

The solo aerobatic prop departing with a trail. The trail allows viewers to see the flight path of this one, seeing that it is quite small and white, which does not provide that much contrast in the hot Langkawi weather.

A lot of maneuvres were done, twisting and turning, performing low level fly past and many more. Some pics of the display.

To end his performance, the pilot did a daring turn and descend, very close to the ground. Inverting and aligning with the runway just before touchdown.

An interesting performance I must say. Must've trained a long time. Though he is the pilot for the Red Bull championship, so it should be a norm for him now.

"Turnaround" time for each performance was short. While the Edge 540 was out on the display run, the Al-Fursan aerobatics team had already begin warming up their aircraft for performance. The performing team for this LIMA used 7 Aermacchi MB339 NAT aircraft for the performance. You can see the distinctive red, green, blue and white smoke emitted from the 7 aircraft, which represents the colour of the UAE Flag.

Al Fursan Team Preparing for takeoff

With some comments uttered by the commentator (not very clear), they were off. Rolling on the runway, and rotating in great synchronicity.

Taking off, 5 at a time

A note to future LIMA visitors, from where we were (underneath the shade of the horizontal stabilizer of the P-8 Poseidon), you will not be able to hear the commentators clearly. Sound system is not powerful enough to project the voice that far. If you are just there for the shots, then it is fine. Otherwise, you might want to get nearer to the main stage (near the Rafales from the previous post).

Being a larger group, they have more flexibility to fly in more formations and more styles. It was interesting to see them fly with such great precision. When the smoke trails are enabled.......

Colours of the UAE

In most aerial displays involving lots of aircraft such as this one, they usually start off with the group display, flying in various formations like the delta or the arrow formation. This will usually take about half the period of their display. For the other half of the display, the group splits up to two or even three smaller groups. For some moves, only a single unit breaks from the main group. Pics as below.

While they may appear to be flying in unison, these 7 aircraft are rarely flying at the same altitude. In the T formation above, the front 5 aircraft are several feet above the trailing two aircraft. The trailing aircraft themselves are also separated by several feet in terms of altitude. Flying like this however gives the impression that they are in a straight line. One possible reason is to provide better visuals for maneuvering the aircraft, and the other is to avoid possible wake turbulence caused by the aircraft in front, however insignificant they may be.

The team made a big loop right before splitting up to two groups.

One thing that I've noticed is that there are lots of photographers with incredibly long lens there. But what's more interesting is that for quite a number of them, their lens only goes up to the direction of the aircraft when the aircraft are nosediving towards the ground. I wonder if they are preparing to snap the event of the aircraft crashing. Don't really see them shooting the formation at other periods (Hmm.......)

One of the "trick moves" as I would like to call it is to pilot one aircraft upside down, while the other spirals around it.

Inverted Helix

We have always been reminded not to drink and drive. The pic below shows what happens when one drinks and fly.

Drunken Flying

It was not long before the individual aircraft joined the main group once again to wow the spectators and to give them a few more final displays before they end their show.

One last pass and the team was good to execute their final display before landing.

So with the spiralling helix display, the Al-Fursan team hands the airspace over to China's August 1st Aerobatic Team.

Taking off in great synchronisation. The team employ's a 6-ship formation for the entire display, one two of them a tandem seat unit, the J-10SY. The single seat variant is known as the J-10AY.

Pulling up for a vertical climb

Like many of the aerobatic teams that send a large group for display, this team starts with the group demonstrations first.

The J-10 employs a delta-wing configuration with canards, similar to the Rafales and the Eurofighter models. The distinctive shape can be seen in the picture above. Note that the refuelling probe stays out the entire time.

Smoke On

Unlike the Al-Fursan team that use strong coloured smoke, the August 1st team uses a milder mix for their smoke, a purple, pink and an orangy-beige smoke colour. The team then breaks formation for other displays.

Diamond Formation

Smoke dispenser mounted on pylons

Only 5 made the beautiful formation break above as the 6th ship was getting ready for a low pass. This one was with the lady pilot. This shows the proximity to the ground. You can see the Al-Fursan Team and our Krisakti team in the foreground.

Flying low for the lady pilot to wave to us


Or rather for us to wave to her

As soon as the team started with their performance, it ended. The J-10 uses parachutes to aid the braking process on the runway. 

Back after the display, taxiing to parking bay Larger

Always with the Red vs. Blue games, after the blue J-10s have landed, the Red F-16s went up. They are the RSAF's Black Knights. Unlike the Singapore Airshow which featured a 6-ship formation, only 2 were featured in LIMA, with a third on standby.

But 2 doesn't mean anything less. Sure there wasn't any "Rainfall" or "Seashell", but they were equally daring and spectacular, displaying most of what was shown during the Singapore Airshow, albeit with only two aircraft.

High-Speed head on pass


Knife Edge with the top facing us


Another with the bottom to us

They used the same music track as they did in Singapore Airshow 2014, this was the "Low & Slow" maneuver, where two jets fly in formation at a certain angle, but at very low speeds before engaging in full afterburner. Song is still fresh, "Roar" by Katy Perry.

Low & Slow

Then we had inverted flights, one bottom to bottom, and the other top to top.

Was hoping that they would end with flares, like they did in the Singapore Airshow, but sadly, no such display.

Time to start a new post.

LIMA 2015 Part 02 (Day 1 of Exhibition)

Kinda missed the opening ceremony by a wee bit. Arrived to see them halfway through the performance. Apparently, they had the opening flyby by the A400 and some Hawks, some Sukhois and F-18s. Managed to catch a glimpse of it, though the majority were blocked by the MIEC building. Arrived to the roaring of jets. Here are some.

F-18 popping some flares

Super Puma doing an incredible loop

Flying away after the loop

One of the best things about being there early is the ability to snap and see aircraft without being blocked by anybody. Here's a Bell 429 with alone at the exhibition area.

Got myself an ultra-wide, and really love the effect it gives. You are able to stand so close, yet still be able to cover the whole aircraft. For those of you who are thinking of it, go get it - Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM. It is light and the sharpness is very close to that of an L lens, and it is cheap. No regrets.

AirAsia Connecting ASEAN livery (9M-AHX) [Larger]

It's fun to have no barriers as you are not limited to how far or close you have to be. You could even go right below the belly of the aircraft. Sadly though, the aircraft wasn't opened for display. Would have love to get a tour up there.

Krisakti  EA-300L up close (see what ultra wide can do?? :) ) [Larger]

(M100-01)

There were quite a number of people present, most probably to witness the opening show, but still not over congested. Had time to walk around, and to get real close-up shots of the static display aircraft.

Aircraft there ranged from executive jets, to aerobatic stunt planes, to fighter jets to cargo planes. Next on the list were two Rafales, Rafale B and Rafale C, still covered up.

Dassault Rafale B (104-1C)

Not forgetting those from the neighbouring country, the Black Knights also paid a visit. 3 came but the performance was just a 2-ship performance. Here is Black Knight 1, still in the special anniversary markings from the Singapore Airshow back in 2014.

The F-16 was one of the last aircraft along this stretch during that time. What came in made me smile and grin. We arrived just as it was taxiing into the parking bay after the opening demonstration. The sound is just amazing.

Royal Malaysian Air Force A400M (M54-01) [Larger]

Obviously as soon as the engines stopped, a swarm of people gathered round the aircraft. I think they were wise not to lower the ramp completely as the aircraft would have been overwhelmed by visitors. Doors were opened, but access was not.

Belly of the Atlas

Unfortunately I did not manage to get a shot of the map of the display section like what I did during the Singapore Airshow 2014, but the layout was fairly straightforward. It was just the apron next to the runway. Here are some screen grabs from Google Earth.

Red square marks the outdoor display

Showing coverage of display with the MIEC (big white square above)

With all the shots taken, it was time to proceed (though honestly, I could have stayed the whole day there). Next up was the Maritime's Water Bomber.

Malaysian Maritime CL415 (M71-01)

Got a chance to explore the insides of the aircraft. Obviously, the first thing was to head to the front end of the aircraft, the cockpit. It was slightly elevated and had room for only the pilot and the co-pilot. A third person could stand in the walkway if they wanted to.

Cockpit shot

The water bulkhead doors are controlled by the switches you see at the tip of the steering column. Just a simple flick and gallons and gallons of water comes splashing down on the target area.

This next aircraft, CN-235 was the centre of attraction, no matter to the public or the crew. No, it is not one with special modifications or from a new operator, it was because of the portable air-conditioning system attached to the aircraft. The whole aircraft was cool and nice, which is a BIG PLUS in Langkawi's hot weather.

Another cockpit shot, CN-235 

Also had the opportunity to open the cockpit windows and waved, like some pilots do...... to passers by who have no idea of what we are doing. But regardless, something fun to do. After what seemed like only a few seconds in the cockpit (close to 20 minutes), it was time to move on. We exited via the rear cargo door ramp which was half open, before proceeding back to the main display area, where all the jets were parked. Managed to get quite close to the J10 parked there as the crew were friendly enough. 

J-10 line-up

Along the way, we had quite up close moment with various jets parked there, whether they are the static display ones or the aerial display ones. 

RMAF Su-30MKM (M52-11) [Larger]

No Smoky Bandits this year for the LIMA performance. Wonder whether it has got to do with their retirement. This Sukhoi above was huge. One might say well put the A380 in and let's see who is bigger and so on. It is true, but for a combat aircraft, it is fairly large. Standing next to it gives you the feeling of how small you are with reference to the jet.

USAF F/A-18 Super Hornet [Larger]

Here with sunshades. Guess it would help a wee bit to prevent direct sunlight from hitting the instruments. Air inside would be extremely heated up though.

Continuing in another part.