Page 113 - Demo

113us to examine their flying ability in their personal micro8lights, which was a welcome diversion from the main task. Whether much note was taken of our final report remains unknown! A far more robust and workmanlike visit was undertaken to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), again with a large team covering all disciplines and lasting for two weeks without a break, the RSAF having embraced the Singaporean work ethic with huge enthusiasm. Despite the Republic having distanced itself somewhat from its former colonial master there was still great affection for the RAF, particularly amongst the older generation of officers who recalled the setting up of their Service with RAF help on the achievement of independence. Unlike the Oman, however, there was very little evidence of RAF style organisation any more, with a greater reliance on US methods and equipment. The only British aircraft remaining in the inventory was the Hunter, and that was to be phased out very soon. The Singaporeans impressed us as being extremely competent and hard working; our comments and observations were acknowledged but it was clear that the links to the past were fast disappearing. All requests to visit Tengah for old times sake were consistently refused on the grounds of security, the airfield being NOTAMed as %u2018unavailable as a diversion%u2019 for the whole of our visit until the day of the team%u2019s departure. An SIAI?Marchetti SF260 elementary trainer at Seletar.