Al Ain: Russian female pilot Svetlana Kapanina on Sunday outclassed her male competitors to win the solo aerobatic display contest at the Al Ain Aerobatic Show.
The 39-year-old aviator, born in Schuchinsk, now in the Republic of Kazakhstan, was competing with five other world class aerobatic pilots.
According to the official results announced here yesterday she maintained the lead from the very first day.
An official of the air show told Gulf News that the first day of performance was the qualifying round, and the next two days were the competition days in which Kapanina was competing against some of the biggest names in the business.
The other competitors were Klaus Schrodt from Germany, Victor Chmal from Russia, Jurgis Kairys from Lithuania, Yoshi Muroya from Japan and Zoltan Veres from Hungary.
Kapanina was the first pilot to win the World Championship title and has won it in 2003, 2001, 1998, 1996. She is a qualifed pharmacist but her hobby has now become her full time profession.
Modern and vintage flying machines yesterday continued to stage incredible aerobatic manoeuvres in front of thousands of spectators. The organisers said more than 55,000 people have visited the show in the first two days.
Good bright clear skies and calm winds offered perfect flying conditions and the spectators enjoyed an uninterrupted display of aerobatic manoeuvres from Royal Saudi Hawks, Royal Jordanian Falcons, Pakistani T-37, Russian MiG-29 and other teams.
Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Bin Barrak Al Daheri, General Coordinator of Al Ain Aerobatics Show, said participants of the show had come from 30 countries.
"It is one of the most important events in the UAE and the region," he said. The Russian Knights, flying Su-27 heavy fighter aircraft, presented a spectacular show around dusk.
Their display is also marked by throwing thermal balloons that are used to avoid heat-seeking missiles of enemy fighters.
The Russian BE-200 fire fighter aircraft also performed at the show. Many of the spectators were seeing such an aircraft commonly known as a flying boat for the first time.
The plane dropped water and showed its capabilities.
The five-day Al Ain Aerobatics Show opened on Friday here at Al Ain International Airport, featuring displays of paratroopers, remote control aircraft, ground displays of civil and military planes and entertainment activities.
