Abu Dhabi: As part of their 2016 Far East and Gulf Tour, the UK’s world-renowned Red Arrows Aerobatic Display Team will perform a breathtaking aerial display above the Abu Dhabi Corniche on Thursday.
A British Embassy official in the UAE said the free performance at 4pm will “celebrate the close ties between the UK and UAE” and will wow spectators with precision flying by the team.
The best place to view the high-flying performance will be at F1 Fanzone (Lagoon Beach/Yasalam Beats on the Beach where doors will open at 3.30pm.
Squadron Leader David Montenegro, team leader of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team and Red 1, told Gulf News on Wednesday that, “Abu Dhabi is the penultimate performance of a major 60-day tour of the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. The display, flown using British-built aircraft powered by Rolls-Royce engines, is aimed at showcasing UK engineering excellence, innovation and creativity.”
The performance is designed to thrill audiences with the fast-paced manoeuvres, he said.
“We’re hoping, through the performance, to create an emotional connection with those watching.
“The Red Arrows aim to inspire people — particularly the next generation — and illustrate what dedication, training and teamwork, both on the ground and in the air, can achieve.
“This is really important to us. The team is made up of more than 120, skilled people, from pilots and communications specialists to photographers and logisticians. Naturally, many of these personnel are our RAF technicians and the Red Arrows carry out many events every year focusing on, and promoting, the so-called Stem subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths,” Montenegro said.
“This is why the timing of the Abu Dhabi display is perfect — coming just before the Formula One race, where engineering and technology are also so crucial.”
The team will also suit up for another special occasion on the weekend, he said, to celebrate the marvels of science at a special science festival for youth, he said.
“For this reason, we’re also attending the Science Festival in Abu Dhabi, where we hope to meet young people and talk about Stem in our roles,” he said.
