Al Ain Aerobatic Show 2009 off to a racing start

As an extra opening salvo, the show - 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 - officially opened to a fly-by from a Formula One-branded A340, courtesy of sponsor Etihad Airways.

Inch-perfect formation flying was left to smaller aircraft, as the Italian maestros of the Yakitalia and Pioneer display teams wowed crowds with their elegant and colourful performances and Will Curtis went solo in his bright-red Rizon-sponsored Sukhoi 26.

And before the rainbow-coloured flares had quite cleared from the desert skies over Al Ain, the 'Garden City' of the United Arab Emirates, pilots from the showpiece Aero GP race series - the Formula 1 of Air Racing - took to the skies to put the finishing touches to their displays, before the high-octane competition kicks off on Friday.

Aero GP, debuting in the Middle East, is a multi-discipline aero triathlon, featuring pylon racing (with five aircraft competing in the air at the same time) a one-on-one dogfight and a precision targeting 'barnstorming' challenge.

Faisal Al Sheikh, Major Event's Division of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which organises the show in conjunction with the UAE Armed Forces, said: "What we saw today really has set the tone for four days of pure adrenalin. As organisers we have fulfilled our commitment of delivering and expanding programme, line-up and facility to produce a truly world-class event."

Closer to the ground, Hollywood stunt driver, Mark Hager, and his precision-perfect team of experts proved that four wheels are as good as two propellers as they performed the thrilling Hager's Raiders police chase spectacular.

And in another regional 'first', the British Swift Glider Display Team harnessed the power of gravity to perform breath-taking, engine-free stunts in the air.

Students at government-run universities were given free admittance to the opening day of the four-day show while the spectator zone provided fun for all the family with an extended Heritage Village and action-packed sponsor stands.

The Al Ain Aerobatic Show 2009 has a high-profile sponsorship line-up including Pilatus, Abu Dhabi National Hotels, Etihad Airways and Al Ain Mineral Water as Gold sponsors; Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies and Tourism Development & Investment Company as Silver sponsors and Emirates Motor Company as the official vehicle sponsor. It is supported by Abu Dhabi Airports Company.