Video: Sheikh Mohamed pilots chopper on inspection flight

It's not everyday when residents get to see the dynamic UAE leader in action as a pilot.

By Yousuf Saifuddin Kapadia

Published: Mon 27 Mar 2017, 8:37 PM

Last updated: Wed 27 Dec 2023, 5:00 PM

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, took to the skies for an inspection flight in a helicopter - but what was unique about this flight was that the Crown Prince flew the chopper himself.

According to a video posted on Instagram, Sheikh Mohamed surveyed UAE mountainous areas from a chopper that he piloted himself.

Originally posted by @uaejj, the video shows the dynamic leader dressed in a kandoora without the headgear, intently surveying the mountains.

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The caption in Arabic suggested that the royalty was on one of his routine inspection flights.

It is noteworthy that thunderstorms have lashed UAE the past few days, flooding roads and valleys in Ras Al Khaimah - a mountainous region.

Roads in other emirates, such as Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi were also flooded.

Civil Defence and police have been working round the clock to pump out the water and attending to emergency situations.

The weather will be wet and windy in the coming days as well.

The video of the flight has garnered nearly 2,000 views at the time of the filing this report.

WATCH SHEIKH MOHAMED FLY A CHOPPER HERE:

The UAE leader is a graduate of the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he trained in armour, helicopter flying, tactical flying and paratroops, according to the Crown Prince Court website.

After graduating in April 1979, he returned home to the UAE to join the Officers' Training Course in Sharjah. He has held a number of roles in the UAE military, from that of Officer in the Amiri Guard (the UAE's elite security force) and Pilot in the UAE Air Force, to his current role as Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

yousufk@khaleejtimes.com