Richard Goodwin, one of the world’s most skilled flying aces, will showcase his skills in a vintage Pitts S2S.
By Satya Rath/Al Ain, UAE
Al Ain (or Al Ayn), translated into English, means ‘The Spring’. And true to its meaning, the UAE’s ‘Heritage City’ is a green oasis, a breath of fresh air in the midst of the desert. Forts, hills, historic buildings, old world markets and vast stretches of greens dot the sleepy city’s landscape.
About two hours’ drive from Abu Dhabi, close to the border with Oman, it’s one of the world’s oldest permanently inhabited settlements, and also a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The calm and serenity of the place, though, will have to take a three-day break, an almost annual ritual, starting tomorrow. It’s time for the Al Ain Air Championship to take centre-stage.
The event, earlier called the Al Ain Air Show, has been converted into a championship starting this year. Being held under the aegis of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, the December 17-19 event, being organised at the Al Ain airport, will witness some breathtaking aerobatic action by eight international teams, besides three military teams from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and hosts UAE.
Among the participating teams are Fursan Al Emarat of the UAE Air Force, the Saudi Hawks of the Royal Saudi Air Force, the all-women’s skydiving team Misty Blues from USA, reigning European Aerobatic champions Bravo3 Rapsol, the daring Breitling Wingwalkers from the UK, the Belgium Broncos, the Glider FX Aerobatics team from the UK, and Artur Keilak from Poland. One of the world’s most skilled flying aces, Richard Goodwin from the UK, too would be showcasing his skills.
Breitling are the official time partner and prize sponsor of the championship, which is supported by the UAE Air Force and the Abu Dhabi Airports Company.
This year’s championship has a new competitive and interactive show format designed to add further levels of excitement for visitors. By downloading a free mobile app, the public will be thrust into the centre of action and empowered to be part of the judging panel to choose the best team of the championship.
“This is the 11th year of the Al Ain air show, and we have now decided to take it further with a championship format. We are offering a new level of interactivity that allows visitors to be part of the judging panel for the first time,” said Sultan al-Dhaheri, acting executive director of Tourism Sector at TCA Abu Dhabi.
Castor Fantoba, captain of Bravo3 Repsol, said they had prepared something new for this year. “We came here last in 2011 and 2012, and are happy to be back again. We would showcase our Sukhoi-flying aerobatic routine that we are sure will impress audiences in the UAE. For years we have been travelling the world breaking the boundaries of possibility with our aerobatics and we look forward to putting on a spectacular display,” said Fantoba.
Another team that has been thrilling audiences across the world with their aerobatic displays since the early 1980s is the Misty Blues all-woman skydiving team.
“We came here last in 2007 and it was an amazing experience. We hope our skydiving routines would be enjoyed by the fans. We have practised some new formations that we will be showcasing during the championship,” said Amanda Scheffler, co-owner of Misty Blues.
England’s Goodwin, a former fighter pilot with UK’s Royal Air Force, will be performing in the UAE for the first time. “Yes, and that makes it doubly exciting. I feel honoured to be invited by the organisers to be part of this prestigious event. I’m looking forward to it and hope I will make my mark both with the judges and the fans,” the Englishman, who will be flying a vintage Pitts S2S, said.
Along with vying for the Grand Champion Trophy, the participants will also compete for honours in each of the four main championship style categories of Power, Grace, Pride and WOW Factor.
