World's sole disabled pilots team to fly at Al Ain air show

Al Ain: Wefly, the world's sole disabled pilots aerobatic display team, will be coming to next month's Al Ain International Aerobatic Show.

The show, running from January 27 to 30, promises to display a line-up of the world's finest aerobatics teams and pilots, said the organisers on Wednesday. Jointly organised by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and the UAE Air Force, the four-day event will be held at Al Ain International Airport.

"The Wefly team is from Venice, Italy and it will present a 10-minute display with Voltige Aerial Manoeuvres that is described as a kind of synchronised dance of three planes," said the organisers.

Four-day event

The event will see pilots competing over the four days from countries as diverse as Croatia, Hungary, Italy, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and the US.

"This is the world's only aerobatic extravaganza that combines military and civil aircraft, stunt displays and competitions," said the organisers.

The participating teams due in Al Ain include the Vipers from the UK, Hungary's Zoltan Veres Team and Croatia's Drazen Wingsuit. Faisal Al Shaikh, head of the ADTA's Major Events Division, said there will be a unique combination of jets, propeller planes and helicopters. Solo and formation flying displays will be held on a daily basis at the show.
 
"If previous years are anything to go by, there are likely to be huge crowds flocking to Al Ain for what will be an amazing spectacle for the entire family. We fully expect the 2010 event to eclipse previous years' records in terms of size, aircraft on display and spectator numbers," he said.

The event also includes the Aero GP Air Race. The race made its successful Middle Eastern debut earlier this year.

Aero GP is the only international air racing series with multiple aircraft simultaneously competing against one another, in a combination of three highly difficult disciplines, said the organisers.

Fact file

What: Al Ain International Aerobatic Show

When: January 27-30, 2010

Where: Al Ain International Airport