Al Ain Aerobatics Show 2006 Page 2

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Getting with the Program

When we took our seats at noon (admittance doesn’t start any earlier) we were actually surprised to be greeted by a large static lineup of R/C Jet Planes and Helicopters. Turns out that the German Jet Modeling Team and their local UAE Counterpart also participate in the show. Who would have thought we were going to see the Red Arrows down there, even if just in miniature?

The displays flown by these small turbine-powered jets were amazing. Sadly we didn’t get to see the most impressive model fly due to crosswinds: An Airbus A380 replica in the colors of the national carrier Etihad, purpose-build for this show. The real one flew over the Dubai Aviation Exhibition a few months earlier but has since been repainted.

Next in the lineup were two world record attempts: One for the largest free-fly skydiver team ever (with more than 70 jumpers) and one for the largest flag ever carried by a parachutist (more than 7.5 meters in width). The records need to be verified but to me it seems they both passed. I was surprised to see that my countryman Dietrich Mateschitz, owner of the Red Bull energy drink company, extends his marketing even as far down as the middle east.

After the jumpers left, we were treated to an absolutely crazy performance by Jim LeRoy in his customized Pitts S-2 Special nicknamed “Bulldog”. He came all the way from the USA for the FAI Grand Prix and I can honestly say I’ve never seen a more impressive aerobatics display. And I do love the Pitts.

One American performance gave way to another — Bob and Jenny Essel followed up on “Bulldog” with their quite unique wing-walking performance on an Ultralight. To be honest, I’ve never cared much for wing walking or small prop planes, but it was an interesting “first” to see this combination.

By now we were becoming a bit impatient waiting for the first jet displays, but had to wait another few minutes while we witnessed a display of a privately owned Hughes 500C helicopter. I wasn’t complaining as this was the first time I ever saw this type craft in real life.

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