UAE: Thrilling new flight launched in RAK; see desert, sea, mountains at 400kmph speeds

Speeds of up to 400kmph; real face-pulling G-forces as you roll and climb; 360-degree panoramic views of the stunning coastline, desert and mountains: Ras Al Khaimah has launched the UAE’s first commercial aerobatic flight experience.

Wayne Jack, director of Flight Operations and chief executive officer/founder of ActionFlight, told Khaleej Times that the aviation adventure tourism company has operated a couple of dozen commercial aerobatic flights since obtaining the regulatory approval a few weeks ago.

Taking off from the RAK International Airport, flights soar at an altitude of 2,000-6,000 feet, zooming past the coastline between Marjan Island, Cove Rotana and Al Rams depending on Air Traffic Control instructions.

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Manoeuvres include loops and rolls, hammer heads, avalanche, inverted flights and vertical climbs of up to 3,000 feet.

“Our passenger flights are … a G-force experience. They are an intermediate level aerobatic flight and include … hammerhead stall turns, whereby we fly straight up vertical until gravity takes over. Then we basically point back down at the ground and then recover to level flight,” he explained.

Climb rates reach speeds of up to 400kmph, with G-forces of between +4 (four times the force of gravity) and -2 (sensation of weightlessness).

The company operates two EXTRA 330 aircraft — the same type that started the Red Bull Air race championship. Often described as ‘the Ferrari of the skies’, the aircraft are specifically designed for advanced competition aerobatics. They have certified load factor limitations of plus and minus 10G.

“While this can be a very exciting and full-on adrenaline rush activity, we don't want people to feel petrified. The idea is to give people a taste of what this aircraft is capable of, G-force and the aerobatic world," said Jack.

The pilot will communicate with the passengers throughout the flight to tune the experience to their comfort levels.

Prices, duration

Aerobatic flights cost Dh2,399 and last about 20 minutes. The total experience from pick-up to drive to the airport, flight briefing and flight suit fitting takes about three hours.

The adventure starts with a full briefing by the pilot before the flight. Passengers are then fitted with a flight suit and headset/helmet before they are boarded.

Operated during daylight hours, the first flights take off at 7am, with the last departure at 5pm.

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