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F-16 Fighting Falcon News

RSAFs Black Knights to fly all F-16 display

September 11, 2007 (by Asif Shamim) - The RSAF's Black Knights will make a spectacular return at next years Singapore Air Show when they display with a new look flying a all F-16 Fighting Falcon demo.

The team was in mid-conversion during there last public appearance in 2000. At that time they were still flying a mixed fleet of A-4 Sky Hawks and the new F-16.

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 consists of all full time combat pilots coming from three different front line squadrons. All of them are adept in team aerobatics and precision flying which is drummed into them during the rookies days of combat flight training.

The biggest difference noted by the team is the afterburner on the F-16, which was not available on the older A-4. The F-16 is faster, more powerful and makes a lot more noise, making for a different show all together.

Lieutenant Colonel Leng Wai Mun, Lead Pilot of the Black Knights, explained what is in store for the public at the Singapore Airshow 2008: "In terms of the aerobatic sequence, you're going to see a difference in the formation. We are also experimenting with six new aerobatic manoeuvres, like what you have seen in Asian Aerospace 2000."

The RSAF have painted up two of the F-16s and the other four will get their distinctive coat of red and white colours in the weeks ahead.


Additional images:

RSAF Black Knights performing at Asian Aerospace 2000. [Photo by Peter Steinmann]