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Fly with the RSAF: 2,500 tickets available as part of 55th anniversary celebrations

SINGAPORE - Fancy a ride on the A330 multi-role tanker transport or CH-47SD Chinook helicopter, both of which will be part of this year’s National Day celebrations?

As part of its 55th anniversary celebrations, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will give away around 2,500 tickets to the public to experience a flight on these military aircraft and more.

The flights will take place during the RSAF55 Open House on Sept 9 and 10 at Paya Lebar Air Base – its first physical open house in seven years. About 250,000 visitors are expected at the event over the two days.

Other aircraft that members of the public can take a familiarisation flight on are the C130 transport aircraft, which will be part of the Red Lions military freefall display at the Padang, where the National Day Parade will take place; the Fokker 50 aircraft; and the Singapore Youth Flying Club’s DA40 trainer aircraft, which can take just three passengers.

The aircraft will fly along the eastern and southern parts of Singapore, and passengers may be able to see islands to the south of Singapore.

From noon on Thursday, Singaporeans and permanent residents will be able to ballot for flight tickets through FormSG. The link to the FormSG ballot will be available on the RSAF’s social media channels for five weeks until noon on Aug 22.

The public can also take part in social media giveaways and contests held on the RSAF’s Instagram page and YouTube channel. These start on Friday and run until Aug 22.

For safety reasons, certain groups of people cannot take the familiarisation flights, including those with mobility issues that may affect their movement during an emergency, those with any pre-existing heart or lung conditions, and those who are pregnant.

Those who wish to board the flights must be at least five years old and a metre tall.

Members of the public who submit a ballot through FormSG can apply for up to four tickets, though they are entitled to only one ballot chance.

All valid applications will go through an electronic balloting system, with the date, time and aircraft type randomly allocated.

The results of the balloting, giveaway and contests will be announced at the end of August.

On Tuesday, 28 beneficiaries from five organisations experienced being on two Chinook helicopters that took off from Sembawang Air Base.

They were from the Malay Youth Literary Association 4PM, Halogen Foundation Singapore under the Community Chest, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, as well as the RSAF’s adopted homes Minds Idea Employment Development Centre and APSN Chaoyang School.

The flights were arranged as part of RSAF Cares, a community service campaign that was launched as part of RSAF55.

From June to September, air force members will serve in community projects and raise funds for community initiatives. Other community programmes include beach cleaning activities and blood donation drives.

Military Expert 4 R. Manivannan, 56, a flight engineer from 127 Squadron that hosted the beneficiaries, said that although those in the unit were busy with National Day rehearsals, they were happy and proud of the opportunity to give back.

Secondary 4 student Rainer Ong, a beneficiary under the Halogen Foundation Singapore, was excited to be on one of the Chinook helicopters, despite the flight being cut short due to bad weather.

“The whole time, I couldn’t stop smiling. I liked the part when (the aircraft) started ‘drifting’ and then ‘slanted’,” said the 15-year-old, describing the Chinook’s manoeuvres.

“It reminds me of my experience in an airplane – just 100 times more exciting. I’m very grateful to be given the opportunity to ride on the helicopter.”

The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission.