UAE | Leisure

Spectacular stunts enthral air show spectators in Al Ain

The UAE Air Force's F-16 and Mirage fighter aircraft held thousands of people spellbound with daredevil aerobatic manoeuvres at the Al Ain air show.

  • By Aftab Kazmi, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 23:31 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

Al Ain: The UAE Air Force's F-16 and Mirage fighter aircraft held thousands of people spellbound yesterday with daredevil aerobatic manoeuvres at the Al Ain air show.

Enthralled spectators poured in from all over the country to spend the second day of Eid Al Adha at the five-day Al Ain air show, which opened yesterday.

Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Eastern Region, inaugurated the show held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

"We in the UAE are proud to receive the world's finest pilots and teams, which proves the significance of the UAE in the exhibition and show industry world, he said.

The opening day's activities included breathtaking displays from pilots who flew vintage and modern aircraft, including paragliders. UAE paratroopers also jumped from a height of more than 10,000 feet and landed at a marked place.

The activities were witnessed by Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, along with a number of other shaikhs, government functionaries, dignitaries and senior officials of the UAE Air Force.

The show also includes display of paratroopers from Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College, remote control aircraft and a ground display of civil and military planes.

One of the main attractions was the manoeuvres of the participants of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) World Grand Prix Championship, who flew their planes to music.

Many GCC nationals and residents, who had been visiting the UAE to celebrate Eid were also seen enjoying the show. Many spectators were seen watching the show from the comfort of their cars parked along the road that winds its way through the sand dunes and leads to the airport.

The Al Ain air show 2006 has been organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority with the support of the Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College, Al Ain Municipality, the Abu Dhabi Department of Civil Aviation, the General Directorate of Abu Dhabi Police and Al Ain International Airport.

Many international participants

  • The UAE Air Force and Army have put on display F-16, Mirage 2000 aircraft, Hawk and Apache helicopters
  • Germany two Hughes 500 helicopters
  • The renowned Honda Team from the UK, three teams from South Africa with aircraft resplendent in the colour scheme of their country's flag.
  • The South African Sasol Tiger Team offering air musical shows on four jet L29 aircraft
  • The Air Bandits Team and world champion pilot Jurgis Kairys from Lithuania
  • The French Breitling Jet Team
  • Russia five Su-27 aircraft
  • The US free fly champions who will take part in attempting to break the Guinness World Record for free flying
  • Hungary's world champion Sultan who will offer breathtaking helicopter solo displays
  • German pilot Klaus Schrodt
  • Pilots from New Zealand and Japan
  • The Royal Jordanian Air Force Falcons Team
  • Pilatus, the Swiss company, is also showing its state-of-the-art turboprop training aircraft PC-21.

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