LIMA 2017 - Part 1

Hey readers... It is that time of the year again where we have planes and ships from all over the world coming to one place, the beautiful island of Langkawi for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace ( LIMA ) Exhibition. 

This year, we have the Black Eagles from Korea and the Russian Knights demonstrating during the aerial display, in addition to the A400, A380, A330 (lots of Airbuses) and of course, a first time, a pair of B-1B Lancers (YUP... a pair).

This post entry would most likely be split to 4-5 parts, covering Penang, Exhibition Centre (MIEC) static display, Air Displays, Maritime Displays and more. So do enjoy and drop a comment.

Let's start from Penang....

I had about 4 hours to walk around before my flight started, so as a avid planespotter, I did what I did, spot for planes.

Waterspray

P-3 Orion

Was waiting for the Orion to taxi back to the apron. But they did not. It was only the next day where I had the chance to speak with the crew. They did a touch and go and ended their circuit at Butterworth AFB.

MASKargo A330-223F (9M-MUB)

It was pouring earlier, and that gave me the opportunity to see the water effects within the comfort of the departure hall (albeit with bluish green tint).

This C-130 was also here ferrying people (I suppose?) to and from Langkawi, and was the exact same one that came during LIMA 2015.

USAF C-130H (74-067)

YJ, if you are reading this, here's your plane.

Some narrowbodies to showcase. Malindo and AirAsia jets.

Malindo B737-9GP(ER) (9M-LNJ)

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AHE) Honghe Nativeland

As per most cargo carriers, MASKargo departed. All aircraft used Taxiway Bravo.

My ride came shortly after MUB departed. AirAsia AJX. This is one of the few AJ series without sharklets.

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AJX)

Seat 20A

Before starting our pushback, this special one came in and parked right next to us.

AirAsia A320-214 (9M-AFD) Bo Rocks

As we started our pushback, you get the lineup of tails, AirAsia jets and others.

Tail lineup

View from Taxiway Bravo

Just as I began to feel "Ahhh.... I'm flying to Langkawi", we were already on our final approach into LGK.

Cloudy weather in Langkawi

Lineup of Jets for LIMA 2017

Had the chance to grab a few apron shots. They usually direct us into the terminal, but this time we had to wait for some airport vehicles to pass. So got my camera up and got these few.

Malindo B737-8GP (9M-LNZ) - Batik Hybrid livery

AirAsia A320-216 (9M-AJY)

RMAF A400 (M54-04)

After that was a ride to my guest house, and the place I would stay for the next 3 days. Managed to catch a glimpse of a single Russian Knights jet practicing for the big event on Tuesday.

Just a speck

Fast forward it about 12 hours and here I am back at the MIEC where the opening ceremony was about to begin. The crowd was building up, people were getting ready and the feeling was just awesome. Had a chance to do a short walk around the place.

Black Eagles

Staring the 330 in the face

Malaysia Airlines A330-323 (9M-MTD)

This sole A330 there with the LIMA 2017 sticker would later be used for a fly-by during the start of the aerial exhibition at 12. For now, it is just sitting here resting. Turning about 180 back, these caught my attention. The PM's jet, an ILS Calibrator and a cargo transport.

More tails

Zooming out to show the crowd

I must commend them for setting up platforms for the media to get a clear photo above the crowd, and for setting up fans all directed at the audiences. It is Malaysia and with the morning sun, you would be sweating in no time.

Thai Gripens

After about half an hour, during which we had the welcoming address by the officials and the PM, it was time for the show to start. The much anticipated opening ceremony of LIMA 2017.

It started with a single F-18 flying past Center Stage at speeds beyond the sound barrier.

F-18 high speed flyby

Deploying flares

And if the roaring flyby wasn't enough to wow the audience (it wowed me for sure), the did a high speed pull up while deploying some flares, something we don't get to see everyday.

One thing about the opening ceremony, you are always hit with surprises. You will see a jet flying from left to right, and before it is over, you have another one roaring in from the back.

More flares

Then come the helicopters, pulling amazing maneuvers and performing simulated firing. The ground had charges ready to pop as the choppers flew by.

Look at the climb

After the simulated attacks

Once the choppers were done parading, we were then presented with a colourful entrance of the Jupiter Team.

Jupiter Team with smoke on

During LIMA 2015, the team's performance had to be cancelled as there was a mid air collision during their practice sessions. All pilots were safe but 2 aircraft were written off. It is great to see that they are now back in action.

Before the final flypast of the RMAF's jets, the Air Force presented the audience with a fly-by of 3 A400s. YUP, in close formation. Lighting isn't the best here but the feeling itself was more than enough.

One broke off from the formation to show us the capabilities of the A400, making tight turns and steep climbs. If you noticed, the fan blades spin in opposite directions of each other. From what I've read, it was to increase the efficiency of the engines by using the flow of the the air generated by the blades.

The finale was a large simulated explosion which was really impressive. Large, and HOT, even from about a few hundred meters away. No photos though as the zoom lens was attached instead of the wide angled one.

And here we have it, the final fly past of our jets.

Hornets, Sukhois and Hawks


Taxiing to parking after the opening ceremony

Time to move to Part 2.

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.