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Al Ain Air Championship to display heart-racing stunts

Abu Dhabi - UAE and nine other civilian and military teams will be on show.

Visitors to the 11th edition of Al Ain Air Championship will witness heart-stopping stunts from ten civilian and military flying teams alongside live entertainment, music and fun for all the family over the three-day event from December 17-19.
The UAE's national aerobatic team, Al Fursan, will showcase high-octane stunts as part of a series of spectacular and daring performances at the Al Ain Air Championships, which will feature a brand new competition format that will allow visitors to be part of the action. A new mobile app will give fans the opportunity to vote for their favourite team, and ultimately influence the competition.
"With our action-packed schedule of fun-filled family activities, ranging from dramatic aerobatic displays and simulator experiences to interactive games and car-drifting spectacles, the Al Ain Air Championship will be a must-attend event," said Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director Tourism at Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.
Teams will compete to be crowned the Grand Champion of Al Ain Air Championship 2015, as awarded by the judges and audience, via the interactive app, based on their performances in a number of areas, being scored on their ability to illustrate grace, power and pride for their respective nations.
Lieutenant Colonel Nasser Al Obaidli, Fursan Al Emarat Team leader, said: "The Fursan Al Emarat team represents the entire nation of the UAE. As part of the Air Force, our mission is to do the nation proud while engaging and exciting people with our stunts."
Other civilian and military teams set to perform include the Saudi Hawks, Breitling Wing Walkers (UK), Red Bull Firestars (China), Richard Goodwin Airshows (UK), Misty Blues Skydiving (USA), Belgian Broncos (Belgium) and Glider FX Aerobatics (UK). World-renowned Spanish pilot Javier Tejeiro López (Malaguita) will also be making an appearance, taking the sport of para-motoring to the extreme, in a partnership with the Emirates Eagles Para-motor Team.
Visitors will also witness the ultimate clash between the powerhouses of the sky and performance vehicles on the ground in the official Air Drag. The race will see a Mercedes AMG E63, with its 585-horse power twin-turbo V8 engine; go head-to-head against the brawn of Richard Goodwin's Pitts S2S muscle plane in a two-part match race series.
The event will welcome 'rhyme and rhythm' as part of the evening activities with live music performances from New Orleans Jazz Band on December 17, The Swing Pack on December 18 and Gari Deegan on December 19, as well as a mix of tunes from the Red Bull DJ Trucks. Children will be as entertained as adults with family attractions ranging from arts and crafts, to soft play areas and games.
Tickets are available at Virgin Megastores across the UAE and at TixBox booths in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. They can also be purchased at the central atriums of Al Ain Mall, Bawadi Mall in Al Ain and Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi. Online purchase of tickets can be done via www.tixbox.com. On-ground tickets can be bought, with prices starting at Dh30 per day for general admission or Dh120 for a three-day pass, inclusive of reserved seating and parking access. Grandstand seating is available, priced at Dh60, as well as a limited number of VIP passes for Dh150 per day, allowing ticketholders to access the best seats on offer. Children below the age of six get in free.