Romanian Yakkers eye Al Ain Int'l Aerobatics Championship debut

Being 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, the four-day Al Ain extravaganza - which is being held from 24-27 January - has attracted over 110 aircraft.

With their combined flight experience entering into thousands of hours, Aerobatics Yakkers - consisting of Formation Leader, Ioan Postolache, and Right Wing, Dan Stefanescu - are due to put on a show-stopping aerobatic formation programme.

Manning two YAK 52TW airplanes - modern versions of the legendary Romania manufactured YAK 52 - Aerobatic Yakkers will leave the Al Ain crowds in awe with their breathtaking display of close proximity, tandem flying.

'The Al Ain International Aerobatics Championships is very popular in Romania. Performing outside of Europe is new to us, and Al Ain's global reputation as a world-class aerobatics event is the reason we have decided to make our debut here in the Garden City,' said Postolache.

'We can't wait to get started and hopefully the crowds will be left gasping at just how close Aerobatic Yakkers' aircraft fly at what are incredible speeds'

With a wealth of pilots and teams from a host of countries, including, Sweden, the USA, Italy, the UK, Turkey, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Austria, and now Romania, the stage is set for a gripping extended weekend of thrills and excitement.

The Al Ain International Aerobatics Championship 2008 has attracted a high-profile sponsorship line-up including Etihad Airways and ADNOC Distribution as Platinum sponsors; Pilatus, Etisalat, Al Ain Mineral Water and Abu Dhabi National Hotels as Gold sponsors, and Al Ain Mall, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce as Silver sponsors.