MORE than 71,000 people caught the Singapore Airshow over the weekend, with many visitors happy that delays caused by security checks and transport woes - the two biggest complaints that had plagued the event in previous years - were less of a problem.

This time, getting in and out of the Changi Exhibition Centre, near the airport, was a breeze. Previously, visitors had complained that there were not enough shuttle buses and registration counters, which in turn led to long queues.

However, some felt that the flying displays this year were a letdown.

Unlike the previous airshow in 2008, when visitors were wowed by the heart-stopping aerobatic displays of the Black Knights - the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) aerial display team - and the Royal Australian Air Force's Roulettes, the flying segment this year featured mainly displays by single aircraft.

The Royal Australian Air Force's F-111 strike aircraft, which was supposed to perform an air manoeuvre, dropped out after a technical fault last Friday.

It was scheduled to perform a 'dump and burn', in which the plane releases some of its fuel while in flight, and then ignites the fuel with its afterburners to form a trail of fire.

Without the act, the only other highlight was the RSAF's AH-64 Apache and F-16 Falcon coming together in an integrated air display.

The other aircraft in the line-up all did solo flights.

Polytechnic undergraduate Adrian Ng, 17, said: 'For many who come to the airshow, the flying segment is a key highlight. So it was quite disappointing that the show this time round was mainly just single aircraft flying.'

Mr Jimmy Lau, managing director of Singapore Airshow and Events, said: 'The flying displays have always been a crowd-pleaser. Due to the economic downturn, some of the flying display teams curtailed their participation in the airshow.

'However, we are looking forward to providing trade and public visitors with more aerial display teams in the coming Singapore Airshow 2012.'

What proved to be a big hit with the crowds was the ground display of more than 50 stationary aircraft, including military planes such as the CH-47 Chinook.

Many queued in the heat for up to 30 minutes for a chance to get into the cockpit or pose for pictures with the pilots.

Inside the exhibition hall, the Singapore Technologies Engineering booth gave visitors a chance to get up close and personal with displays such as the Trailblazer, a counter-mine vehicle.

In all, more than 112,000 people attended the six-day event, which included four trade days.

karam@sph.com.sg