LANGKAWI: THE eagles are fast becoming the darlings of Langkawi. To be specific, it is the Republic of Korea Air Force's aerobatics team, the Black Eagles, that is capturing the hearts of islanders, observers, exhibitors, trade visitors, and VIPs alike.
The fast and agile Korea Aerospace Industries FA-50 jets the team flies are taking part in the airshow for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition 2023, and their nippy, seemingly death-defying displays are among the highlights.
The "K-Pop" stars of Lima '23 have endeared themselves to the crowd here, especially as their routine includes two aircraft peeling off from the group and climbing the skies before coming down again in a half loop, trailing smoke to form a heart shape.
It is not the first time Lima has seen the heart-shaped stunt; it was performed by the United Kingdom's Red Arrows years ago.
Nevertheless, there are many here who haven't seen such a thing.
Add the fact that Malaysia had recently agreed to buy the FA-50 for the Royal Malaysian Air Force's light combat aircraft programme, and that is a recipe for success.
The airshow is always a crowd-puller in Lima. The halls at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre are chock-full during exhibition hours, but they begin to empty — somewhat at least — as soon as the first jet engine can be heard from above.
Aircraft enthusiasts and the curious line the road leading from Padang Matsirat, where the airport and MIEC are located, to Pantai Cenang, waiting to see the show, with cameras or handphones in hand.
In fact, there are some who come from all over the world to see the show, carrying high-powered lenses and what look like really expensive equipment.
Why would they not? After all, there is a great show at hand, put on not only by our RMAF flyboys and the Black Eagles, but also by four other aerobatics teams from near and far.
Indonesia's Team Jupiter, flying KT-1B propeller planes also made by KAI, has made a return to Lima, braving the trauma of having two pilots injured and two aircraft destroyed in rehearsals here for the 2015 edition.
Also making their returns are the Russian Knights in their Sukhoi SU-30 and SU-35 jets and China's August 1st, flying Chengdu J-10 aircraft.
And the United Arab Emirates' Fursan Al Emarat team is making its Lima debut in Aermacchi 339 planes.
All those watching the shows — inside the MIEC compound and outside the perimeter fencing encompassing the centre and the Langkawi International Airport and its runway — brave the searing heat.
Umbrellas and whatever else is being used for shade do no good when it comes to the temperatures here. They pay no attention to it, though, as they are transfixed by what is going on above them, as even Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim noticed.
In a speech before witnessing the signing of a contract, the prime minister praised the quality of the airshow, saying it was so enthralling that everyone would forget the heat.
Within MIEC's walls, one has to stop many times when walking due to the throng of crowds gathered around booths. Trade visitors and VIPs can be seen viewing the products on show from the exhibitors, whether Malaysian or foreign, potentially looking at new deals to be made.
With the hustle and bustle of MIEC as it is, it may be hard to imagine it getting any busier. Yet, it inevitably will when the exhibition opens its doors to the public tomorrow and on Saturday.
