SINGAPORE — It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the Singapore Airshow. If the last edition’s numbers are anything to go by, you can expect thousands to turn up for the event. But don’t fret. Here’s a quick guide to help you prepare for braving the crowds at the Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC) this weekend.

OPENING HOURS

The air show is open from 9.30am to 5pm. But the last admission is at 4.30pm. Those who have attended previous editions recommend giving at least three to four hours to see everything, including the aerial displays. You also have to go through stringent security checks and encounter long queues, so factor that into your timetable, too.

TICKETS

Tickets are priced at S$22 (adult) and S$9 (child). The Group Package (includes four entry tickets and one car park label) is priced at S$166. Organisers have said that there will no collection nor sale of tickets at the Singapore EXPO and CEC. 
All tickets have to be bought online from SISTIC (http://www.sistic.com.sg). Also, re-admission will not be allowed, so make sure you have everything you need. Tickets for Saturday are sold out, but there are still tickets left for Sunday.

WHAT TO BRING

You need to be prepared for both rain and shine, so bring foldable brollies and ponchos or raincoats that you can pack easily.

Hats or caps, sunscreen and sunglasses are also advisable. 
Likewise, dress sensibly — wear long pants or long sleeves if you don’t want to get sunburnt — and wear comfortable covered shoes.

You will want to bring water — lots of it. It’s not just to hydrate yourself, but it’s also good to have in hand if you don’t want to queue at the F&B outlets to buy some.

Bring your power banks. Between taking snaps of the static displays, shooting videos of the aerial displays, playing games or surfing while waiting in line, your phone can run out of juice real fast.

Of course, bring your cameras and a pair of binoculars to capture the excitement of the air show.

WHAT NOT TO BRING

Don’t bring bulky items as you won’t be allowed on the shuttle bus.

Also, the air show website has a list of items that are prohibited at the CEC (https://www.singaporeairshow.com/important-notes-public.html). These include obvious items such as firearms, explosives and toy guns that resemble the real thing, as well as other curious implements such as “walking stick with dagger”, industrial acid, keychains in the shape of a bullet or gun, 
bulletproof vests, spears and, our favourite, “canned items”.

GETTING THERE

Forget driving to the Singapore Airshow. Unless you’ve already bought the Group Package, in which case you’ll get the car park label that allows you access to Aviation Park Road.

Instead, we recommend taking the shuttle bus from Singapore Expo Hall 7. It’s complimentary with your admission ticket.

We also suggest you avoid driving to the Expo due to limited parking spaces there. (Besides, there’s something called the MRT that takes you directly to Expo.)

You can take a taxi — there is a designated pick-up/drop off taxi bay at the CEC. However, a S$10 location surcharge will be applicable if you take a taxi from the CEC. This applies to Comfort Taxi and City Cab, Premier Taxi, Prime Taxi, SMRT Taxi and Trans-Cab Services. Pre-booked taxis and private car services (such as Uber, GrabCar, etc) will not be allowed into Aviation Park Road.

GETTING FOOD

Eating and drinking on the shuttle buses are forbidden but you’re allowed to bring your own food and drinks into the premises. There are seven food and beverage outlets located within and outside the Exhibition Hall. Among them are Harry’s, Al Forno, Tung Lok Catering and Mandarin Orchard. The food is not halal-certified but there are stalls offering no pork/no lard options.

AERIAL DISPLAY

The main highlights of the air show are, of course, the aerobatic performances and aerial displays. There are two slots each day (10.30m to 11.10am and 2.20pm to 3pm). The best spot to watch the displays is at the Plaza, the open outdoor area in front of the exhibition hall. There are seats in the grandstand at the plaza but be sure to get there early.

IF YOU'RE BRINGING CHILDREN

1. Be sure you have tickets for your kids. (Those under three years old get in for free.)

2. There are a couple of kid-friendly activities such as meeting the air show mascots Captain Leo and Captain Leonette. They will be stationed at the photo booths at selected times (11.30am, 12.30pm and 3pm) but they’ll also be roving around. You can also bring them to The Captain’s Den (located in the exhbition hall. next to the exit where the static aircraft display area is) where you can pick up model planes and plushies. The e-store is already up on the air show website (http://www.singaporeairshow.com) if you like to make your purchase in advance.

3. Ear plugs or ear defenders (those headsets that muffle sound) are advisable for little ones as the aerial performances can be loud.

4. If you go early enough and if there isn’t a terribly long queue, they might even allow children up into certain aircraft — and you can snap your bragging rights photo.

5. Make sure you have enough entertainment. There will be queues for the more popular attractions at the air show and your children are wont to complain that there’s nothing to do while waiting. Provide them with a book to read or play a game while you wait.

6. Make sure you have enough snacks for the children. Especially the ones that they like. Again, if you’re stuck 
in a queue and your child says, “Mummy, I’m hungry!”, you’ll be prepared.

7. Make sure your children have gone to the bathroom before you queue up for anything. There’s nothing worse than having to give up your place in the queue after you’ve been waiting for a while (well, except getting to the head of the queue only to hear your child go, “I have to go — now!”).