Al Ain: Aerobatics teams and individuals performed dozens of exciting displays on Sunday, UAE fighter jets such as F-16 and Eurofighter were just some of the attractions on the second day of Al Ain Air Show.
A crowd of spectators took advantage of the 42nd UAE National Day holiday to attend the event. The three-day event, pulling together a line-up of four elite military teams and seven pilots from three continents, is jointly organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) and the UAE Air Forces and Air Defence.
Aerobatics teams from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, South Africa, the UK and the UAE took part. Al Fursan, the aerobatics demonstration team of the UAE Air Force, again performed, spellbinding spectators.
Flying seven Italian-built Aermacchi MB-339NAT jets to represent the UAE’s seven emirates, the team’s flawless implementation of a wonderfully choreographed performance included dramatic renditions of tail-smoke bearing the UAE national colours. The display also served to further heighten the crowd’s visibly enthusiastic fervour of the national day weekend festivities.
The UK’s famous Royal Air Force (RAF) aerobatic team — the Red Arrows — also brought an equally spectacular aerial display of precision flying that included several breath-taking manoeuvres.
Breaking from the sky-high aerial acrobatics of the day was a unique performance presented by the Indy Boys Jet School Bus. As its name implies, this performance involved a school bus fitted with an F-16 jet engine that blew out huge fireballs and unburned fuel smoke as it sped across the tarmac in front of a spell-bound audience, especially students, at a top speed of 322 kilometres per hour.
The school bus engine’s 48,000 horsepower and 21,000 pounds of thrust created an exclusive demonstration of creativity and skill to deliver a show like no other.
“We have attended most of the Al Ain Aerobatic Shows and this year’s is definitely much bigger,” said Huda, an 18-year-old student from Sudan who lives in Al Ain, and came along with her two friends Yasmeen and Rana from Jordan.
Echoing Huda’s delight was Christiane Naam, who came to the event with her husband and five-year old twin boys.
“My children are more interested in the airplanes and the show than going to the play area,” she said. “They just love fast planes and fast cars, and truly enjoy watching their performances,” she added.
Monday is the last day of the show that has been designed to pay tribute to the rich Emirati culture and heritage. It also features a series of UAE-themed aerial displays and static attractions, performances and activities, according to the organisers.
The show also features stilt walkers, jugglers, face painters, pilot bear and pit-lane walk-throughs, buskers, balloon and swing rides, meet-the-pilot signing sessions and hot air balloon rides delivering a weekend experience that makes the show a fabulous family getaway, organisers said.
General admission tickets bought in advance cost Dh40 for adults and Dh20 for chuildren aged 12 years and under. Tickets and the fly pass can be bought online at www.ticketmaster.ae or through the toll free number 80086823 or hotline 00971 4 3662289. Tickets are also sold at the venue.
