UAE | Leisure
Saudi Hawks leave crowd awe-struck
Renowned aerobatics team comes up with new and daring routines every season.
- The Saudi Hawks performed daredevil manoeuvres at the Al Ain Airshow on Friday.
- Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News
Al Ain: The Saudi Hawks yesterday staged a spirited display of formation aerobatics for the spectators at Al Ain Aerobatic Show.
The Hawks, the aerobatic team of the Royal Saudi Air Force, has been a regular feature of the Al Ain Air Show for many years, coming with new manoeuvres every season.
"This year, spectators will get to see some brand new moves from us," said Major Abdullah Al Gamdi, 88th Squadron Commander and Saudi Hawks' leader. He said the team has two distinct seasons including a six-month display season and a development session.
The team develops new manoeuvres for the next show in the second half of the year, said Major Al Gamdi before climbing into the cockpit of his British-made Hawk Mk.65 for the team's first display at the 2009 edition of Al Ain Aerobatic Show.
Unlike some display teams, he said, the Saudi Hawks change their manoeuvres every season and that keeps them in high demand throughout the Gulf.
"This year there is the possibility that we will fly at RAF Waddington International Airshow," said Major Al Gamdi.
Faisal Al Shaikh, a senior official of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, said the Saudi Hawks bring a vital regional element.
Share this article
Related Articles
Popular in UAE

-
Have your say
Living in untidy homes
Do you think that people who live in untidy homes have bad character?
Latest news
- HAAD action against doctor who sold sick leaves
- Napolitano warns against anti-Muslim backlash
- Fog sweeps the UAE
- Emirati students in US set to rise
- No friends of mother Earth
- Tussle on for tertiary students
- Faded parking lines pose a problem
- UAE to announce H1N1 vaccination campaign
- Focus on best methods of crime investigation
- Benefits of pill-sized camera displayed
- Prosecutions need to adopt new technologies
- Big decline in robberies in Dubai
- Ministry to shut down typing centres
- Car stickers to identify new drivers on road
- So what will it take to float Gulf News' boat?
Community Reports
-
Faded parking lines pose a problem
Motorists could be fined for parking incorrectly even though they can hardly see the boundaries in the designated areas
-
School buses block residential parking
Commercial vehicles taking up free parking facilities in Al Wuheida, inconveniencing residents in surrounding villas
-
Community report: Doing their bit for poor children
A group of students takes concrete action to raise funds for Dubai Cares
-
Surprising truth of 'abandoned cars'
An Abu Dhabi resident believes that some mechanics are using parking spaces as rent-free workshops


