SPANISH ACE TAKES EARLY DESERT CHALLENGE LEAD

Gravity-defying manoeuvres and top-class aerobatics were the order of the day on Friday as the Al Ain Aerobatic Show’s centrepiece competition – the inaugural FAI Desert Challenge – got off top a flying start with Spanish flying ace Castor Fantoba, snatching the lead from the five-strong chasing pack of pilots.

Taking place over Friday and Saturdy, the Federation Aeronautique International (FAI)-sanctioned contest, which sees the world-class pilots - all top-10 FAI event rankers in the last two years – battle it out in a range of aircraft including CAP232, Sukhoi 26 and SbachXtreme, started with its Classic Competition. And it was the Spanish dare-devil who impressed in the opening rounds, edging out Englishman Gerald Cooper, for top spot going into the Freestyle round.

“The sequences that make up the compulsory section were put together by the pilots themselves, and are extremely complex, which makes them particularly thrilling to watch,” said John Gaillard, Chief Judge for the FAI at the show. “We feel very much at home in Al Ain - it is a great venue and the crowd are really appreciative of the flying here.”

With scoring done in real-time, the six pilots are allowed only one routine run per discipline, and have a limited window to dazzle the judging panel and crowds with their aerial mastery in handling the high-performance machines.

The large crowds present at Al Ain International Airport for the show’s opening day were treated to some of the most difficult manoeuvres possible. The compulsory section consisted of seven complex figures, each one marked out of ten by a panel of FIA judges, and included a world first at Al Ain – a stall turn finishing with a downward spin.

This weekend’s show, the biggest in its history, is open from 9am on Saturday, with displays starting at 10.30am and continuing until sunset. Tickets are just Dh40 per adult and Dh20 for children between three and 12 years old, while children under three enter free. More details can be found on the Al Ain website at www.alainaerobaticshow.com, and tickets can be purchased on the gate.

The Al Ain Aerobatic Show, which is organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA in conjunction with the UAE Armed Forces, is 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. It takes place at the Al Ain International Airport, which is approximately 80 minutes scenic drive from Abu Dhabi and Dubai.