SAUDI HAWKS SOAR TO AL AIN WITH NEW AWE-INSPIRING ROUTINES

Royal Saudi Air Force Aerobatic Team back to thrill the crowds at the 2011 Al Ain Aerobatic Show

Al Ain, UAE. January 29, 2011: The ever-popular Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Aerobatic Team – The Saudi Hawks – will soar into this year’s Al Ain Aerobatic Show with a new display boasting 23 exhilarating formations and moves, including their world record breaking largest ever aerial drawing, and climaxing with an unforgettable ‘bomb-burst’ manoeuvre.

“The Saudi Hawks have proven to be one of the big draws to the Al Ain Aerobatic Show, and this year will be no exception,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which organises the show in conjunction with the UAE Armed Forces. “Al Ain spectators will be among the first to see their new routine which we understand will be a performance of breathtaking aerobatics prowess.”

The Saudi Hawks team of six  will take to their BAE Hawker 65 trainer jets to thrill an anticipated record crowd at the Al Ain International Airport with a two sectioned programme.

“Since we first took part, we have always looked forward to coming back to the Al Ain Aerobatic Show. The Saudi Hawks were awarded the golden medal in the Jet category for two consecutive years, in 2004 and 2005, and our relationship with this show has always been strong. We enjoy being in this amazing city, and with its people who extend their support to us year after year,” said Colonel Abdulla Al Ghamdi, manager of the Saudi Hawks team.

In the display’s first half, all six jets will fly in close, precision formation, allowing the pilots to perform some of their newest routines. These will include the rainbow, the twister and the heart and arrow, as well as the ‘emblem move’, consisting of two swords crossed over a palm tree – the Saudi flag insignia - which took two years to perfect and earned the team a place in the 2010 Guinness Book of World Records for the largest ever aerial drawing.

The team will then split into two groups of three for a more high tempo and dynamic second half with the smoke-capable jets, bearing the RSAF green and white ‘coat of arms’, performing a series of seemingly impossible manoeuvres that finish with the memorable ‘bomb-burst’.

More than 20 aircraft will take to the skies in the daily flying display at the 2011 Al Ain Aerobatic Show, which runs Feb 2- 5, while the unique, multi-discipline FAI Desert Challenge, arranged by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the international governing body for air sports, will see six of the world’s best pilots flying in classic and free-style competing to be the Desert’s first free-style aerobatic champion.

Topping off the aerial displays will be spectacular on-ground activities for the whole family, including meet-the-pilots sessions, tethered hot air balloon rides, go-karting, bungee trampolines and crazy golf, as well as face-painting and appearances by children’s favourite magazine character Majid, the Al Ain Aerobatic Show’s own Friendly Pilot Bear and a stilt-walking pilot.

The 2011 Al Ain Aerobatic 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, will take place from 2-5 February at Al Ain International Airport. Approximately 80 minutes drive from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this easy access makes it an ideal day trip from across the Emirates.

Daily show tickets are just Dh40 per adult and Dh20 for children between three and 10 years old, while children under three enter free. Schools are being offered free access on the Wednesday and Thursday – further information can be obtained by contacting alainschools@fegroup.ae or calling 04 2867755. Ticket details can be found on the Al Ain website at www.alainaerobaticshow.com.

Potential visitors also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win a flight with one of the world-class pilots who will be participating at the show, as well as numerous other chances to win free tickets, by taking part in an online competition on the Al Ain Aerobatic Show website. 

The Al Ain Aerobatic Show is backed by a high-profile sponsorship line-up that includes Gold Sponsors Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Abu Dhabi National Hotels, Al Ain Water and Etisalat. Mubadala Aerospace, TDIC, Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies and Pilatus Aircraft are Silver Sponsors, while Emirates Motor Company are the Official Supplier and ADAC the Host Sponsor. The 2011 Al Ain Aerobatic Show is carried out in partnership with Al Ain Municipality and Al Ain Police.

About ADTA: Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has wide ranging responsibilities for managing and assisting the development of the emirate's tourism industry and the marketing and promotion of the emirate as a world-class destination of distinction. Its responsibilities include; destination marketing; infrastructure and product development and regulation and classification. A key role is to create synergy in the international promotion of Abu Dhabi through close co-ordination with the emirate's hotels, destination management companies, airlines and other public and private sector travel-related organisations.