RSAF open house to be held Sep 9-10; to feature exhibition halls, capability displays, fairground performances and ‘phygital’ concepts

To mark the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)’s 55th anniversary, the aerial service branch will organise the RSAF55 Open House (RSAF55OH) at Paya Lebar Air Base from Sep 9 to 10.

Free and open to all members of the public, the event will feature a range of activities such as capability displays, exhibition halls and familiarisation flights.

Here are five things visitors can anticipate at the RSAF55OH this year:

This year’s open house will adopt a unique physical-digital (phygital) concept. Launched on Tuesday (Aug 15), the RSAF55OH Digital Experience Webapp comprises essential event details for visitors, including a site map and a schedule outlining the day’s activities. The site map will also have live updates on real-time queue/waiting times for static displays and simulators.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to engage in pre-event activities, such as customising a personalised avatar and employing the Augmented Reality (AR) Aerial Display Filter. This filter will showcase RSAF assets in flight when users point their phones towards the sky.

Through the pre-event activities on the app, visitors can earn digital coins that can be used to earn rewards such as RSAF gifts and Fast Passes for segments such as static display cockpit entries.

The AR Aerial Display Filter also offers a final chance to secure familiarisation flight tickets aboard RSAF aircraft during RSAF55OH.

From Aug 15 to 22, users can share screenshots or screen recordings of themselves using the filter on Instagram, and tag @theRSAF with the #RSAF55 hashtag for a chance to secure a pair of tickets to the familiarisation flight aboard an RSAF aircraft.

The RSAF55OH event will employ the phygital approach to offer visitors a more engaging and tailored experience. Attendees will receive near-field communication (NFC) tags, enabling them to engage with interactive elements throughout the event.

These elements encompass Poll/Like Micro Boxes distributed across the venue, presenting brief quizzes or enjoyable facts for visitors to respond to. Phygital games will also be incorporated within the Exhibition Halls to enhance the interactive experience.

Visitors can anticipate an experiential exhibition and learn about the RSAF’s evolution over time, its vision for the future, as well as achievements of its airmen and women in defending and safeguarding Singapore’s skies and way of life.

The exhibition will be segmented into three halls: Hall 1, Hall 2 and Hall 3.

Hall 1 will allow visitors to delve into the history of the RSAF and its transformation into a modern and capable airforce. Hall 2 will feature the RSAF’s vocations, their duties and responsibilities in safeguarding Singapore’s skies.

Hall 3 will feature an envisioned Future Air Base, showcasing some of the forward-looking initiatives and technologies. Additionally, a dedicated Smart Air Base segment will spotlight select RSAF advancements, along with a sustainability area and an F-35 simulator.

There will be static exhibitions of 18 diverse assets, with opportunities for cockpit and cabin entries for selected aircraft. The Singapore Youth Flying Club’s DA40 Trainer Aircraft will also be on static display.

The RSAF55OH will also feature continuous capability displays highlighting RSAF’s operations, capabilities, and dedication. Alongside demonstrations like Military Working Dog and Fighter Weapons Loading, a 20-minute Aerial Capability Display will showcase RSAF’s ability to conduct air defence and integrated operations.

Visitors can explore the Fairground, which will offer a family-friendly carnival complete with a bouncy castle and a variety of games suitable for all ages.

The Fairground will host food trucks, food stalls, and lively performances by the SAF Music and Drama Company and SAF Central Band in the dining hall.

Members of the public will not be able to drive to the RSAF55OH event at Paya Lebar Air Base. Instead, complimentary shuttle buses will be available, transporting attendees from 18 Tai Seng Street and 12A Hougang Avenue 4 to the event venue.

The first bus will leave from the two designated pick-up points at 8am and the last bus will leave at 4.30pm.

Visitors departing from RSAF55OH can catch the shuttle buses either from the Air Force Training Command to 18 Tai Seng Street or from the Air Force Museum back to Hougang Bus Park. The final bus departure will be at 6:30 PM.

Alternatively, visitors may consider taking public bus services 90 and 94 from Toa Payoh Interchange and Eunos Bus Interchange respectively.