A Famous Dragon

During the recent Singapore Airshow 2012, another dragon - this time a rather famous one - descended on our mortal world. Owned by kung-fu actor Jackie Chan, the Embraer Legacy 650 was auspiciously painted in a bright crimson and imperial yellow. In a fusion of cultures, the chinese word for "dragon" had the first name of its famous owner embedded in it. Registered equally auspiciously as N688JC, the Legacy 650 which had a stylised dragon emblazoned on its fuselage arrived on 12 Feb in the last light offered by a post-downpour sunset.

This being the year of the water dragon, the Legacy 650 was totally in its elements the next day when the Singapore Airshow site took a major drenching ...

Throughout the trade days of the airshow, this private jet proved to be a popular one for visitors - especially considering the amount of publicity generated in the media about its pedigree ownership. This must have been one of the most photographed tail in the entire show.

By the time the show was opened to public on Saturday (18 February), many of the day's earliest visitors must have been disappointed to find their famous target missing ... but a little later in the morning, those with a sharp pair of "dragon eyes" would have caught sight of it flying over the show site.

Visitors on the next public day on Sunday were not so lucky ... all they have perhaps were the press-cuttings they may have kept from the past week's dailies.

The Dreamliner Has Landed.

The long-awaited and much anticipated arrival of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner could not have happened on a more beautiful day. The sun shone bright and the clouds in the sky were white and puffy ... and at 1421 hrs, the third prototype B787-8 (ZA003 / N787BX) landed on Singapore Changi Airport's runway 02R ... marking the start of its Singapore debut. Thanks to superb arrangements by the wonderful Boeing / ICON International teams and the military, a group of media photographers were ferried to the runway (which normally is out of bound) ahead of the Dreamliner's arrival.

It touched down near the southern end of the 9000 feet runway ... and rolled quietly and smoothly to the end.

For an airplane this size and whose two engines look so sturdy and impressive, the quietness of the landing is incredible. Even with thrust reversers deployed, no ear plugs were needed. She gently taxied to the left of runway 02L and there, ground crews were already on standby to tow it to the Changi Exihibition Centre. After a short while, towing commenced - with all the incoming VIPs and Boeing officials onboard ...

With great care, the Dreamliner - with its VIPs still onboard - was eased into position on the static display ramp.

Meanwhile, the flying display practice went on ... and the Royal Australian Air Force's Roulettes aerobatic team was there to bid the Dreamliner and key Boeing officials and staff a warm welcome. All these could not have happened on a more beautiful day. The sun was absolutely brilliant and puffy cumulus clouds floated lazily across the sky. Lots more are in store for the Dreamliner ... tomorrow, a media conference will be followed by a tour onboard for the media. Watch this space.

Recovering ... but Japan still needs your help!

Today, my friend Yvonne from Ecuador sent me a link to a video segment on youtube ... http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=SS-sWdAQsYg&vq=medium and after watching it, I can only marvel at the strength, humility, dignity and resolve of the Japanese people. I felt all the pains of those weeks immediately following Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters of March 2011 ... and these pains came back as I watched the video. But the video ended with so much gratitude for all the help Japan received - note that many more countries gave aid and relief than those highlighted - and also with a message of hope.

Today, as the affected Tohoku (northeast) region of Japan slowly embarks on the road to recover, a lot more is needed. And the very first thing that one could do is to seriously consider taking your holiday in Japan, especially if it also includes some parts of the Tohoku region.

I toured the Tohoku region in April 2006 and had the joy of meeting one of  the most wonderful tour guide I have ever come across - Michiko-san. She hails from Sendai ... and after the quake, I tried contacting her but to no avail. I pray all the time for Michiko-san's safety and well-bring ... and hope some day to hear that she is safe.

I have thought of waiting till March 2012 to post this ... but Yvonne's e-mail and video-link just made me decide to do this now. Who knows what could happen to throw my plans to post this in March in disarray. I just have to embrace my own committment to live life now.

Gambatte Japan!!! And to those outside, don't forget that many Japanese still need your help.

Start Dreaming

Once again, the palpable excitement brought on by the Singapore Airshow is gaining intensity ... and the single airplane most responsible for that must surely be the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Five of these are already in service with All Nippon Airways, but for the rest of the world, the opportunity to see a B787 test aircraft in the flesh is a treat in itself and a window to the future of civil air travel.

Beyond the obvious aerodynamic sleek lines of the aircraft and the curvy wingtips that flex significantly when the aircraft is taking off, landing or in flight, the cabin boasts a whole slew of technological and design features that promise a whole new flying experience in the near future. Japan Airlines will deploy its own Dreamliners on the Singapore route starting September and our very own Singapore Airlines has twenty of these on order. Singapore's hub location will certainly mean that Dreamliners of many different liveries will in no time be a common sight and popular choice of air transportation.

Eight days from today on 11 February 2012, the Boeing 787 DREAM)LINER will touch down on Singapore's soil for the first time ever. We've waited long for this, but this is a dream worth waiting for.