LIMA 2025 - 20-24 May

Discuss airshows, exercises and spotter days outside of Europe and North America
Post Reply
User avatar
sebcoe
Posts: 193
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 8:32 pm
Location: Northamptonshire

LIMA 2025 - 20-24 May

Post by sebcoe »

Hi all. I'm looking at going to LIMA '25 in Langkawi in May next year. A first time visit for me both to the show and that part of the world so just looking for any tips from those who have been before.... in particular what days should I plan on being on the island... is it better to be there before the show itself for arrivals etc? How easy is it to get around and so how close to the venue is it advisable to stay..? I'll probably hire a car out there. Any other tips or insights greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

DeanW
Posts: 3369
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 11:18 am

Re: LIMA 2025 - 20-24 May

Post by DeanW »

The show is a bit tricky as the arrivals and rehearsals are somewhat drawn out, with much of the pre-show activity happening the week before the event. I was present Sunday-Friday and the majority of the RMAF aircraft were already on the ground at Langkawi.

However, the Sunday and Monday still saw some rehearsals and arrivals so they're worth doing. The Tuesday and Wednesday are probably best to be on base as they're the trade days, so make sure you apply for a press pass. If you attend on those days you'll need to make sure you wear trousers/jeans - I was wearing shorts (cos it was humid as anything) and almost didn't get let in. There was a lot of freedom to be had on these days with access up to the flying display assets..
Image

It's best to do the morning outside and afternoon on the airport due to the runway orientation. The spots to the east of the runway are so good with the single tracker road higher than the perimeter fence so there's no need for a ladder.
Image

There is the odd location on the south western side of the airfield where you can shoot over the fence without a ladder (you'll see the local photographers gathered there) which allow you to shoot runway action from the other side.
Image

There's also the Langkawi look out point which is a must do for the opening gambit on the Tuesday morning. It does get busy and you have to negotiate some trees, but it's worth it. The maritime display runs in the harbour every day for a couple of hours, although it was cancelled when I went down there due to torrential rain.

A few other random tips..
- Traffic is slow, particularly if you're moving from the eastern side of the airport to the showground side, so allow plenty of time there
- It's so humid your camera will fog up as soon as you take it out of the bag, so make so you get your kit out to acclimatise as soon as you arrive
- Due to high ground on Langkawi island, fixed wing assets will only land on runway 03 and depart on runway 21
- In 2023 there was a great merch stall selling official RMAF patches, coins etc. He was located off-base adjacent to the runway 21 piano keys during the arrivals and trade days, before moving on base for the public days. Some RMAF units also had official merch for sale on the public days only

it's difficult to advise on how many days, and which days, to attend as the slow is a bit of a drip-feed and the weather is so volatile. In 2023 we actually made the last minute decision to hip on a flight to Penang to spend the Wed and Thu at RMAF Butterworth due to the repetitiveness of the flying displays. However, we missed out on a good weather day at Langkawi and when we returned on the Friday it was grey and damp.

If you're planning on attending multiple show days then it may be worth staying near the airport as the traffic was so slow. No issues on the arrivals or trade days though.

Bobling
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat 10 Jun 2023, 11:59 pm

Re: LIMA 2025 - 20-24 May

Post by Bobling »

I have family in Malaysia and am gutted I can't go - we've often stayed on Langkawi, indeed last time we were there there was a gate up at the airport as we left saying "See you at Lima '25". I've got no specific info about the show but more generally:
They drive on the left in Malaysia which makes the driving bit a little easier if you are from the UK.
The cuisine is outstanding - a delicious mix of Indian, Chinese and Malay flavours, Malaysian hotel breakfasts are the best in the world!
I'd recommend a day or two in KL if you have the chance - the area round the Petronas towers is a very pleasant place to spend a bit of time with a spotless park just by the towers, an enormous mall (if shopping is your thing, the bookshop was the only place I went) and a gigantic food court where you could eat like a king for every meal for days on end for relatively little money. You can book a trip up the towers and across the bridge between them which is well worth it if you have a head for heights, book ahead though if you leave it till the last minute you have to queue at five in the morning (I've done it!).
On Langkawi island the Skybridge is a good place to visit - https://panoramalangkawi.com/skybridge/
If your love of flying things crosses over into birdwatching (like mine does) then Langkawi has lots of awesome spots, you can see a lot in the park in KL too!
Feel free to ask any other Malaysia general questions and I'll do my best to answer!

User avatar
sebcoe
Posts: 193
Joined: Sun 31 Aug 2008, 8:32 pm
Location: Northamptonshire

Re: LIMA 2025 - 20-24 May

Post by sebcoe »

Thanks for the replies both - much appreciated and very helpful.
I'll be in Langkawi as part of a holiday in the area so will likely take in KL and Singapore as well.
We do have some flex over when we stay on the island and it sounds like getting there the weekend before would be a good idea.
Dean - I assume the public days are Fri/Sat?
Cheers

Amp
Posts: 366
Joined: Thu 26 Oct 2017, 10:07 am

Re: LIMA 2025 - 20-24 May

Post by Amp »

Bobling - have you heard anything over the past 28 months about the KL air force museum move, it has gone very quiet.

Post Reply