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World’s first parachute manoeuvre at Al Ain

Spectators attending this month’s Al Ain Aerobatic Show, in the UAE’s ‘Oasis City’, from January 27- 30, will witness an attempt on a world-first manoeuvre.

The South African Goodyear Eagles Aerobatic Team will attempt to complete a never-before-seen triple synchronised inverted parachute drop, whilst the aircraft, three Pitts Special S2Bs, are performing a formation loop.

Team Manager, Albert Hemsted, explained that the difficulty in performing this manoeuvre is that the aircraft will be minus canopies, so inter-pilot communication will be extremely difficult - communications to or between the skydivers impossible.

“The team has been performing together for a number of years, and know each other like the ‘back of their hand’, with the exception of our number three skydiver - Johan Grobler - who will be performing the Inverted, for the first time in public in Al Ain,” Hemsted said.

To prepare themselves for the stunt, the pilots are practicing five or six times a day in addition to the regular schedule practice sessions. The team will also rehearse at the venue in order for the pilots to familiarise themselves with the terrain.

“Each year we endeavour to raise the bar with this show and to bring a fresh new approach to it. This daring attempt at a ‘world first’ record will again take the Al Ain Aerobatic Show into the annals of international aerobatics history. It will be a thrilling episode for the sports fans and spectators,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, manager of the Major Events Division of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which hosts the globally renowned aerobatics event.

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 his own personal training programme, averaging at least eight hours a week, so they are in peak physical condition.

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 formation displays, looking for ways to make their spectacle even more impressive.”We strive to show the public the outstanding characteristics of the Pitts Special. As regards the Inverted, we looked to add another dimension to the display, in this instance, the Skydivers. The development of the Triple Inverted parachute drop was both frightening and exciting, but it was well worth the effort and hours of practicing,” said Hemsted.

Held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Al Ain Aerobatic Show is hosted by the Abu Dhabi Airports Company, organised by ADTA and the UAE Air Force.

Daily tickets for the show are pegged at last year’s prices - Dhs40 per adult and Dhs25 for children between three to 10 years old. Children under the age of three get in free. (Ends)