Taiwan's military starts rehearsing its National Day flyover this week, with jets and helicopters passing low over downtown Taipei and the Presidential Office in the run-up to the October 10 celebrations — routine, but a visible show of force at a tense moment.

• Rehearsals start September 23 with an early-morning route survey, then a half-strength run on September 30 and two full-strength runs on October 2 and 5.
• Aircraft will fly over the Bo'ai government district and the Presidential Office, with backup dates set in case of bad weather.
• Taipei residents are being warned to expect loud engine and rotor noise in the early morning and told not to be alarmed.
• The drills lead up to the National Day ceremony, where the flyover is a centerpiece meant to showcase the armed forces.

Outlook: Expect repeated low passes over Taipei through early October, with the full show on October 10 and any schedule changes posted on the National Day committee's website.