World first at Al Ain Aerobatic Show

Those attending this month’s Al Ain Aerobatic Show in Abu Dhabi will have the opportunity to watch a never-before-seen triple synchronised inverted parachute drop.

The South African Goodyear Eagles Aerobatic Team will attempt to complete the world’s first manoeuvre at the show. Organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) the Al Ain Aerobatic Show is being held in the UAE’s ‘Oasis city’ from January 27-30.

“Each year we endeavour to raise the bar with this show and to bring a fresh new approach to it,” says Faisal Al Sheikh, Manager of the Major Events Division of ADTA.

“This daring attempt at a world first record will mark the Al Ain Aerobatic Show in international aerobatics history. It will be a thrilling episode for the sports fans and spectators.”

The Goodyear Eagles Team, which boasts two ex-fighter jet pilots in its line up, has been together for the past 25 years flying the famed Pitts Special light biplane which dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960s and ‘70s. All members now fly for commercial airlines and each has personal training to ensure a peak physical condition.

Team Manager, Albert Hemsted, said the difficulty in performing the parachute drop is that inter-pilot communication will be extremely difficult and communications between the skydivers impossible.

“The team has been performing together for a number of years, and know each other very closely,” says Hemsted. “Of course, rehearsals are paramount to any aerobatic display so the team is practising for Al Ain at least five or six times a day.”

Last year, the Goodyear Eagles took part in 18 air shows and appeared at the Al Ain show in 2008 as The Wizards, performing with two aircraft and two skydivers. They continually refine their displays, looking for ways to make their spectacle even more impressive.

Daily tickets for the show can be bought via timeouttickets.com.

For more information – alainaerobaticshow.com.