On Aug. 9, 2015, the Singapore Airlines A380 was part of the National Day Parade aerial flypast in celebration of Singapore's 50th birthday.

This was the first time that SIA had participated in the flypast where the A380 flew over the Marina Bay area at the closing of the Vintage Parade segment at the NDP.

The SIA plane was wearing a livery of the Singapore flag. On both sides of its fuselage and on its inboard engines is the 10m-tall and 47m-long flag-themed design.

From the ground, spectators can see the symbol of NDP 2015, “Majulah Singapura - Our Golden Jubilee” on the plane’s belly.

At the controls of the plane was SIA's Senior Vice President Flight Operations, Captain Gerard Yeap.

Captain Yeap, 61, joined the company 43 years ago in July 1972 when it was still Malaysia Singapore Airlines (MSA).

Since then, he has clocked more than 13,000 flight hours and has flown nine aircraft types in SIA including the 737, 707, DC-10, 747, and currently, the A380.

He was the one who had suggested that SIA's A380 be a part of this year's NDP flypast.

According to him, planning and coordination for the flypast took almost a year, which involved him and his team of 10 pilots.

They prepared by practising the profile, timings and execution of the flypast many times in the flight simulator.

Captain Yeap also revealed that the flawless execution of the flypast for the first time at the preview show on Aug. 1, 2015, was the result of practising runs solely in the simulators.

And the actual event was made possible with the cooperation of external agencies such as the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

He also said the experience of being part of the flypast for Singapore's historic 50th year celebration is a major highlight in his 43-year career:

This will rank among the top of my career highlights. Being a part of the NDP flypast, especially our SG50 celebrations, makes it an event of a lifetime. Other proud moments in my career include the EIS (entry into service) of the A380, which Singapore Airlines was the first to fly. The worldwide exposure and flawless execution was admired by all – and is a testament to our staff.

You can see Singapore's skyline and cityscape through the eyes of the pilot from a cockpit perspective here: