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50 aircraft to participate in Singapore's National Day Parade

Xinhua, June 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

A total of 50 aircraft will participate in Singapore's National Day Parade (NDP) with execution of unprecedented aerial maneuvers to celebrate the country's Golden Jubilee, said the NDP 2015 Air Participation Committee.

This years' NDP air participation will feature the largest scale of aircraft participation at the Padang, an open playing field located within the downtown area in Singapore.

As the prologue of the NDP 2015 show, the execution of "Five Stars" Tribute Aerial Flypast, signifying Singapore's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality, will pay tribute to the country's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who passed away in March at the age of 91.

Apart from the traditional State Flag flypast, highlights for this year's Air Participation also include the aerial bomb-burst performed by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Black Knights, the "50" formation flypast comprising 20 F-16s, and the aerial flypast segment comprising fighter jets, helicopters and transport aircraft.

"In celebration of our nation's Golden Jubliee, we hope to make this year's NDP memorable and special for Singaporeans," said Colonel Francis Ngooi, chairman of the Air Participation Committee.

Colonel Francis Ngooi told Xinhua that they have put a comprehensive schedule and the air participation committee started conceptualizing and preparing for the NDP air participation since last April, and the actual trial flights began this year.

The Colonel also noted the main challenge they have faced is coordinating the entire segment of the air participation, and some of the difficulty is how to present the "50" formation. They were trying to see how they can best design the formation.

"While viewing the 50 formation, we hope Singaporeans will be reminded of our progress over the past 50 years and be inspired to work towards the future with the same pioneering spirit," said Colonel Francis Ngooi.

Singapore's National Day Parade is slated to be held on August 9. Endi