S'pore Airshow 2008: RSAF's Black Knights to fly all F-16s, adding new moves

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S'pore Airshow 2008: RSAF's Black Knights to fly all F-16s, adding new moves
By Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 September 2007 1501 hrs

SINGAPORE: You can expect a lot more action in the skies when the Singapore Air Show takes flight next year.

Among them, the RSAF Black Knights, which are planning to make a spectacular return with a new look.

For the first time, the RSAF's aerobatic team will be flying all F-16 fighter jets.

During its last public appearance in 2000, the team was in the middle of its conversion so it was a mixed fleet of A-4 SkyHawks and the newer F-16s.

Veteran pilot Philip Chionh has flown both aircrafts and said he appreciates what his new ride can do. "The A-4's flight characteristics were a little different. Due to the slow speed over the loop, it would start pulling away. That’s because the slats would come out and roll a bit faster. Whereas, for the F-16s, we pull a bit harder and apply more power and that can be a bit tricky," he said.

The Black Knights are full time combat pilots from three different F-16 squadrons and when put into a team performing aerobatics, it means precision flying.

This is something they have been grounded in since their combat training as rookie pilots.

Link
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...299151/1/.html