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Al Ain - 26th January 2010Eyes To The Skies As As Ain Aeroatic Show Takes Off
Abu Dhabi’s heritage heartland of Al Ain is set to enter the world aerobatic record books, with an attempt at a world-first manoeuvre, alongside the greatest number of teams and aircraft ever to appear at the Middle East’s premier aerobatics event, running January 27-30.
A record 23 international teams, a re-formatted Aero GP and enhanced Spectator Village will take the Al Ain Aerobatic Show; Al Ain’s largest and longest-running sporting festival, to new heights this weekend. Spectators will also witness the South African Goodyear Eagles Aerobatic Team’s attempt to complete a never-before-seen triple synchronised inverted parachute drop, whilst three aircraft perform a formation loop.
“This promises to be a ‘year of firsts’ for the aerobatics show, as we present new aircraft; teams; formats; amenities; activities and hopefully even a new world record, to thrill crowds and showcase our historic Oasis City to the world,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which hosts the globally renowned aerobatics event.
“We anticipate record crowds this year and the event is fully geared up to deliver a memorable experience, one which will be broadcast live locally and globally. This event is an effective medium for heightening awareness of Abu Dhabi, by showcasing our welcoming culture and diverse geographic assets to the world in a thrilling and captivating manner,” he said.
Now in its eighth year, the Al Ain Aerobatic Show is the world’s only aerobatic extravaganza which combines military and civil aircraft, stunt displays and competitions. The UAE Air Force and Air Defence’s role is that of organiser and event participant. “This year, we will showcase an F16-C Block - the ‘Fighting Falcon’, multi-role jet fighter aircraft originally developed for the United States Air Force; a Mirage 2000 - a French multi-role, single-engine jet fighter - and, for the first time, an AH-64D Apache, a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter,” said Brigadier Staff Pilot Abdalla Saeed Al Shamesi of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence.
The UAE Air Force and Air Defence is supported by the Al Ain Police Department. "Working in unison with the Al Ain Municipality, the Al Ain Police Department ensures security of the event. A key function of our presence is also to engage and connect with the community," said Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Al Shehhi, of the Al Ain Police Department. Spectators will also see police presence on show, with the Abu Dhabi Police Airwing on display, for the first time.
Highlights also include the Aero GP spectacular – known as the Formula One of Air Racing – which will see six pilots compete with each other across multi-plane Air Racing, Air Combat and a new, Scored Aerobatics discipline.
The Royal Bahrain Air Force (RBAF) will make its international debut, with two RBAF F16s demonstrating daily. "Our participation at the Al Ain Aerobatic Show demonstrates the unity between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates," said Lieutenant Colonel Rashed Bu Allay, Royal Bahrain Air Force.
Crowd favourites the Saudi Hawks – the Royal Saudi Air Force Aerobatics Team - will perform a new, tight-formation flying routine.
The Spectator Village has been designed for all ages with activities broadened to include a host of high-value competitions, including an Etihad Airways ticket to Tokyo, which it begins flying to in March, educational aviation marvels, wide-ranging sports activities and new food outlets.
Held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA); the 2010 Al Ain Aerobatic Show features some of the world's top pilots from Bahrain, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, UAE, the UK and the USA.
The event is hosted by Abu Dhabi Airports Company and is supported by an extensive list of sponsors including gold sponsors, Etihad; Pilatus; Al Ain Water and Abu Dhabi National Hotels along with silver sponsors Mubadala Aerospace; ADAT; Al Ain Municipality and Panasonic. Costa is the official retailer which will partner with The National, a leading UAE English language daily newspaper, to create ‘The National Costa Coffee Lounge’ – a relaxed venue to grab a coffee and paper. Emirates Motor Company – the authorised general distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and flagship company for Al Fahim Group – will provide the official vehicles.
Daily tickets for the show are pegged at last year’s prices - Dhs40 per adult and Dhs25 for children between three and 10 years. Children under the age of three get in free. They can be bought via www.timeouttickets.com or from a special Toll Free hotline: 800 4669.
For more information – www.alainaerobaticshow.com or call 800 555 (within UAE)
