A variety of aircraft was on show at Ohakea as the New Zealand air force celebrated 80 years.

Singaporean officials are in talks with the New Zealand Government to set up a pilots' training base at the Ohakea air base.

Minister of Defence Gerry Brownlee, who was among tens of thousands of people at Ohakea's Air Tattoo celebrations in the weekend, confirmed early discussions have taken place and Singapore could chip in money to bolster facilities if the plan gets the go-ahead.

"A feasibility study is under way," he said.

1 of 11 DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft fly in formation overhead. 2 of 11 David Unwin/Fairfax NZ Richard Smeeding, F-16 demo pilot in the American Air Force, stands on the wing of an F-16. 3 of 11 David Unwin/Fairfax NZ Spectators wait in line to check out the Royal Australian Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III. 4 of 11 David Unwin/Fairfax NZ Talita Braga, 2, looks up at the imposing aircraft. 5 of 11 David Unwin/Fairfax NZ Royal Australian Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III reaches high into the sky above spectators. 6 of 11 David Unwin/Fairfax NZ Visitors walk out of the tail end of the Royal Australian Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III. 7 of 11 David Unwin/Fairfax NZ Texan Diamond 9 display some aerobatics. 8 of 11 David Unwin/Fairfax NZ. An F-16 in flight, piloted by Richard Smeeding of the American Air Force. 9 of 11 David Unwin/Fairfax NZ Lucy Fox, 2, and Sarah Zunker watch the flying displays at the Air Tattoo, Ohakea. 10 of 11 David Unwin/Fairfax NZ Rebeca Lee, air force pilot for the A400. 11 of 11 DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ A Texan solo display at the Air Tattoo, Ohakea.

Brownlee said New Zealand would welcome Singapore's investment in the base as a training facility if the study identified Ohakea as a favourable location. The F-15 fighter jet was the only aircraft being discussed as part of the talks.

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"Singapore has made it clear to us that should they choose to invest in Ohakea they would make a significant contribution to ensuring the local community feels appropriately engaged, as they have done in other parts of the world where they undertake training, including Australia and the United States."

David Unwin/Fairfax NZ Richard Smeeding, F-16 demo pilot in the American Air Force, stands on the wing of an F-16.

Chief of the air force Tony Davies said the Defence Force was always looking at ways to build on international relationships.

"This is just another one of those initiatives that we are exploring. It's right in its infancy stage."

Manawatu District mayor Helen Worboys​ said up to 500 personnel could come to the region, but it was not clear yet whether this number included air force families.

David Unwin/Fairfax NZ Rebeca Lee, Royal Air Force pilot of the A400.

"We don't know the numbers yet. It's very early days."

The Manawatu, Palmerston North and Rangitikei councils were supportive of the idea, she said.

"We will roll out the red carpet – we will welcome them."

DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ From left, Sean Kelly, Sarah Lewis and Mike Debney look skyward at the Air Tattoo, Ohakea.

She understood it was the third time such talks had taken place between Singapore and New Zealand. A positive result seemed more likely this time, she said.

The region's economy could benefit and there could be impacts on jobs, housing and schooling, she said.

OHAKEA'S SKY ABUZZ: THE PILOTS

LEILANI HAYES/ FAIRFAX NZ. Lines of traffic wait near Sanson for the air force 75th birthday at Ohakea. Traffic was handled better this time.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force celebrated its 80th anniversary with the 2017 Air Tattoo.

As an American F-16 fighter jet soared, swivelled, and swerved through the air, the ant-like crowd below it gasped, clapped and cheered.

But few people realised the significance of the display.

F-16 demo pilot Richard Smeeding is one of two people in the American Air Force able to perform that F-16 display.

Smeeding was given glasses as a child and assumed his dream of becoming a jet pilot was over. But surgery mended his eyesight and his dream, giving him a decade's worth of flights among the clouds.

The F-16 is his favourite aircraft and is like riding a rocket ship, he says.

"The only way I can describe [flying] it is going back to a childhood memory – I used to like getting in the dryer all the time as a kid and my dad one day closed the lid and turned it on for one second, one spin – that's what it's like. There's a lot of spinning involved."

Royal Air Force A400 pilot Rebeca Lee said New Zealand was the farthest they had taken her team's large A400 aircraft from Britain.

The squadron captain said it was great to see such "infectious enthusiasm" from people who viewed flying as more than just a job.

OHAKEA'S SKY ABUZZ: CROWD REACTION

For retired Wairarapa top dressing pilot Mike Baker, the F-16 display was the most polished flying performance he had seen.

Baker was eager to see the "raw power" of the aircraft, especially after the Wings Over Wairarapa event had been canned the previous weekend due to poor weather.

The F-16 display was also a favourite for 13-year-old Whanganui boy Blair Gowan, who said the speed and sound of the jet was incredible.

For 11-year-old Hayden Edgecombe, the turns of the Spitfire aircraft were his favourite.

Jacob Houghton, an aviation pilot in training, said the celebrations were awesome.

"You don't see the jets very often – the F-16 – I've never seen that in real life. Pictures and video don't really do it justice but when you see it in real life and see what it's actually doing – yeah, that's amazing."

The 80th celebrations were the first time many people attended an air force Air Tattoo, and got to see the planes up close.

OHAKEA'S SKY ABUZZ: TRAFFIC HANDLED WELL

At the 75th Air Tattoo event held five years ago, Wairarapa resident Helen Woodcock said the traffic was "horrendous".

"Last time we were still in the traffic and we could see all of the planes flying and there we were, sitting in the car."

But this year she and her husband managed to get tickets online, left home at 6am and found the traffic was well organised this time.

Davies said there was a huge amount of planning involved in orchestrating the event.

Traffic management was just one area of focus aimed at avoiding "chaos" on State Highway 1.

The air show brought together crews from Britain, the US, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Canada and France. A delegation from China also attended.

"Given this is our 80th, it's a very special year and what better way to do it in style and in a more significant way than with an Air Tattoo like this ... I think every five years, to be able to do this for the New Zealand public is fantastic.

"It's our chance for the New Zealand public to see air power. They can touch it, see it, smell it, hear it, and just really experience air power."