Pilots and aircrafts from across the globe in Al Ain city next January

Notes and media contacts

'Al Ain 2005':

'Al Ain Aerobatic Show 2005' had coincided with the 100th anniversary of the World Air Sports Federation (FAI), and it was bigger and more exciting than all previous sessions with the participation of the world's finest civil and military pilots and the breathtaking aerobatic displays they performed in front of thousands of spectators. The 2005 session had more qualified participants and more quality performances; it also had more participating countries, and included various activities, and the organization of the event was much better.

The show was opened with 15 thrilling displays including a spectacular display by the UAE powered parachute team, and another UAE display on Mirage-2000/9, in addition to three displays for radio control model jets. Aerobatic teams from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, India, and Russia, participated in the opening shows.

In commemoration of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Jordanian Team presented an impressive display on four Extra-400 aircraft accompanied with sad music and voice over telling the achievements of the great leader and builder of the prosperous UAE.

In addition to performing aerobatic displays, the UAE Air Forces organized a static show for the aircrafts used by the Air Forces and Air Defence, such as the fighter Mirage-2000, the training aircraft Hawk-MK63, etc.

The show also included a Pilatus PC-21, the world's latest production of turboprop training aircrafts, besides the worldwide renowned businessmen aircraft from Pilatus: PC-12 Executive. Horizon International Flight Academy also participated with its Jet Ranger helicopter.

Two famous military teams from Russia participated in 'Al Ain 2005': the 'Russian Knights' on Sukhoi-27 and the 'Swifts' on Mig-29 aircrafts. Each team performed on two aircrafts, but for the first time they performed together a formation of four aircrafts.

The Royal Jordanian Falcons performed on four Extra-400 aircrafts; 'La Marche Verte' team from the Royal Moroccan Air Forces, the only team in the world that performs on eight propeller-engine CIP-232 aircrafts, also participated in the displays; in addition to solo performances on K-8 and Super Mushshak aircrafts by the Pakistani Air Forces.

Eight of the world's best solo aerobatic pilots participated in the 2005 competition, and excitement stepped up with the participation of five of the top civilian aerobatic teams; the Matadors, Flying Bulls, Ultimate High, Spice Knights and Hawks of Romania. On the first day of the competition each pilot participated in the unique and stunning Air Musical Show 'Theatre in the Sky'.

Other exciting displays included the 'Flying Jet Man' for the Swiss Yves Rossy, 'Conference of the Birds' for the French Christian Moullec who presented a unique show on his ultralight aircraft in one formation with 12 Branta leucposis geese, and the Dutch Ultralight Aircraft team 'MAT Aero'. Champion pilots from France, UK, USA and Japan presented in front of the audience skilful radio control model jet displays, and the new surprise was the participation of the 'Paraddax Team' with a formation of three paramotors.

The peak of excitement was when the Austrian adventurer Felix Baumgartner, World Champion in BASE jumping, jumped from a Casa-235 aircraft at a less than 1000 meter height. In this dangerous show the adventurer races against time for 30 seconds and opens his parachute just 3 seconds before reaching the ground.

The 2005 session also included the aerobatic play 'Hope of Flying' presented with a narrator and live music. Pilots moved their aircraft in harmony with the effects, telling the story of a handicapped boy dreaming of overcoming his disability to live the flying experience.

On the third day of the event the World Grand Prix - Al Ain 2005 started and lasted for three days. A number of distinguished international arbiters in this sport made up the arbitration committee that worked according to several criteria, such as the aerobatic moves, speed, accuracy, and all-team performance proficiency, as well as solo shows and group flying. The World Grand Prix also included a solo and group display competition for teams of jet and propeller aircraft, and an aerobatic display competition for radio control model jets. The aerobatic show program also included a musical aerobatic play entitled 'Call of the Sky' specially prepared for this international event, and a number of aircraft took part in it.

The 2004 Achievement:

H.E. Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan had expected that the 'Al Ain Aerobatic Show 2004', which was held in February 2004, would push forward the tourism activity in Al Ain city, and would be the start of an annual international aerobatic festivity, especially that it concurred for the first time in the Middle East with hosting the World Aerobatic Show Grand Prix in Al Ain with participation of the best world champion pilots.

The World Air Sports Federation (FAI) agreed to shift the competitions from Japan to Al Ain city for a period of five years after it had seen the great capability for hosting the event and the facilities provided for participating teams, in addition to the natural beauty of Al Ain city, which managed to bring this big event to the Middle East.

'Al Ain Aerobatic Show 2004' gathered a number of the top aerobatic world champion pilots, and around 60 military, civilian, jet and propeller aircraft, which presented solo and group displays. Music also accompanied some aerobatic displays.

Thousands of Al Ain residents and visitors attended the activities, which started with military music performances. Then, Al Ain Amateur Club presented spectacular radio control displays with 12 model jets, and was followed by other radio control aircraft displays. The UAE Armed Forces parachute team also performed free fly displays, and various formations with Mirage aircraft were presented by the UAE Air Forces and Air Defence. Spectators also enjoyed the distinguished formations and displays performed by the Khalifa bin Zayed Air College team on German Group, Swiss PC-7, British Hawk, and Italian Airmaki aircrafts.

The Saudi Hawks team performed various breathtaking displays, and the Dream Team presented solo and group shows with participation of world champions. 16 aircraft also took part in an aerobatic play about a dolphin dreaming of becoming a skilful pilot to perform innovative aerobatic displays. Multi-colored smoke columns characterized the aerobatic displays accompanied with live music.

2003:

The first aerobatic show, held in Al Ain city during the events of Al Ain Festival from 5 to 14 March 2003, was successful and admired by the audience and concerned parties, as the idea was new in the region, and through building up on this first experience 'Al Ain Aerobatic Show' of 2004, 2005 and 2006 achieved a great success that exceeded all expectations.

For further information, please contact:
Hessa Al Shamsi
Media Coordinator
Al Ain Aerobatic Show
Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
Tel: +971 3 7642000
Fax: +971 3 7644456