Al Ain Aerobatic Air Show 2009

Al Ain Aerobatic Show in the United Arab Emirates was held the week before the winds came howling down from Europe sweeping dust and haze before them.

Friday 30th January, the third day of the show, started cool and calm with clear blue skies to provide a perfect canvas for the show.

Show organisers said attendance numbers were fewer than last year during the first two days. Numbers soared on Friday, the beginning of the weekend in the Middle East.

The open grandstand overlooking the airfield was full shortly after the show opened at 1.00 p.m. People continued to pour through the gate and were directed to watch the show from behind a 3 metre wire fence in an area in front of the children’s playground. The angle of view from behind the fence was uncomfortable and the space very limited.

People without young children went in search of alternative viewing spots – but to no avail. Those without grandstand seats could see only the parts of the stunts that were high in the sky as the grandstand and the various buildings in front of the perimeter fence obscured any lower view.

The afternoon heated up. Tempers flared.

Customers who did not storm out went in search of alternative entertainment and found that Al Ain did know how to entertain the masses.

There were camels enduring the enthusiastic patting of people of all ages, races, cultures and religions.

A military Apache helicopter drew a keen crowd that seemed to comprise mostly ex-military who interrogated the security guards in a most efficient manner. The guards, enjoying their moment in the sun, admitted to no deep knowledge about Apaches or indeed any military aircraft. They did point out the pilot who, secure behind opaque wrap around sunglasses, kept a safe distance from the throng.

A falconer encouraged passers-by to be photographed holding his falcons, and two young Emirati girls paraded proudly in their ceremonial dress.

Etihad provided a flight simulator for the latent pilot in all of us and the organisers of the children’s playground ensured rides and entertainment sufficient to keep the young ones occupied for the entire afternoon.

For one brief moment a police sniffer dog was brought out to demonstrate his skill, but once an interested crowd began to gather he was whisked away.

Those of us patient enough to pass the afternoon relaxing on the red velvet covered plastic chairs drinking coffee and eating chips were rewarded by a demonstration of Emirati singing and dancing, as well as by the passing parade of humanity, the variety of which is probably seen no where else in the world in the one place.

It is a hundred years since aerobatic air shows started. Al Ain provides a perfect venue for the first major show of the year and the line up of stunts was impressive.

It is definitely an event which should be part of the program for any visitor to the middle east during the winter months.

The organisers should give serious thought to providing a view of the actual aerobatics to those who buy tickets. There were many residents of the Emirates who did not go this year because of the very limited amount of seating with a view of the events last year.

Al Ain Airshow 2009 was supported by ADAC, operator of Al Ain International Airport, and organised by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and the UAE Air Force and Air Defence. So come on fellows, use those tactical military skills and arrange more viewing space next year for a show that is one of the most exciting events of the year.

Observer

February 4, 2009

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