British pilot equals own feat

Al Ain: British pilot Will Curtis may not have a Thursday's rerun of creating world record but came up with a stunner by cutting seven ribbons in a row with the propeller of his aircraft flying upside down at Al Ain Aerobatic Show yesterday.

The 39-year-old Curtis was attempting to improve his previous world record of cutting nine ribbons flying upside down, on the third day of the air show. With yesterday's feat, he equalled his last year's record of cutting seven ribbons in a row by flying upside down in England.

He had set a world record a day earlier at the air show by cutting eight ribbons through a straight flight of Sukhoi Su-26 flying just 5 metres above the ground.

Crosswinds yesterday created some problems for Curtis in flying straight into the poles on which the ribbons were mounted.

Curtis, who is a member of the British Honda Dream Team, however, succeeded in the third run by flying underneath a row of nine ribbons at a speed of 150 miles per hour. The ribbons were mounted on poles that were held by 18 people, including his fiancée Siobhan Smith. The stunt and courage of Curtis amazed thousands of people attending the air show.

Spectators were also spellbound yesterday by the stunts of American pilot Jim Leroy. He was flying Pitts S2S labelled 'Bulldog' that he himself had developed after running his business Bulldog Airshows.

Leroy hovered his aircraft just above the ground. Many were taken aback after the Bulldog brushed by a cameraman's head and yet kept him at a safe distance. Leroy is reportedly one of the best pilots in the history of aerobatic shows.

Some 25,000 people from across the UAE and neighbouring countries visited the air show yesterday, according to Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.

An official of authority yesterday said some 70,000 people have so far visited the five-day aerobatics show 2006 since its opening on Wednesday.

The organisers expect the show will attract more than 125,000 visitors this year.

UAE eyes 2007 championships

The UAE Jet Team will organise training courses for enthusiasts flying radio control aircraft to prepare its team members for the 2007 world championship.

The first course will be organised a week after the Al Ain Aerobatics Show, said Rashid Thani Al Muhairy, leader of UAE Jet Team. Al Muhairy has also been representing the UAE in the International Jet Model Committee.

He said the Al Ain air show is a big international event that offers a great experience and exposure for the team members. Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, organisers of the Al Ain Aerobatics Show, will also support training courses.

Al Muhairy said his team will invite world champions to train the team's jet pilots. "We hope the training will produce good results," he said.