MUSCAT -- Aviation enthusiasts in the Sultanate were treated to a spectacular aerobatic display by Britain's world renowned Red Arrows yesterday. The daring 23-minute eloquence in the air by nine pilots in Hawk jet aircraft stunned the large turnout of crowds at Shatti al Qurum beach. Air Vice Marshal Yahya bin Rasheed al Jumaa, Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman, was the guest of honour at the Red Arrows display which paid tributes to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos and the people of Oman on the 37th National Day anniversary.
Respected as one of the world's top aerobatic teams, the Red Arrows, sponsored by the BAE Systems, UK's Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) and Rolls Royce made the public appearance in the Sultanate as part of their global tour. Under the command of Wing Commander Jas Hawker, the team performed death defying new manoeuvres, including the Python roll and Helix formation while the Palm split was performed in celebration of Oman's National Day. The first part of the breathtaking display performed against the panoramic coast line included complex battle formations, the signature diamond formation and Vixen break at speed exceeding 400 miles per hour, vertically climbing and rolling at 3,000 feet.
The nine aircraft thundered past, taking the spectators on a glorious journey of supreme precision and unmatched professionalism. The tightest formation brought the aircraft as close as four feet from each other when they performed the Vulcan bend. The Typhoon roll and Phoenix formations were equally spectacular when the aircraft painted the clear blue sky with red, blue and white plumes. The second half of the display struck the high note with the Palm split when the aircraft formed a riveting formation to leave the trail of a date palm in the sky, followed by the romantic display of a heart formation. The Python roll, Helix bend and the Mirror roll were gripping acts of manoeuvrability and death defying stunts.
The BAE Systems Hawk plays a key role within Britain's Royal Air Force. With a top speed exceeding Mach 1.2, the Hawk is powered by Rolls Royce Adour engine producing 5,2001b of thrust. The Red Arrows' display shows off the manoeuvrability of the Hawk aircraft as the pilots pull up to eight times the force of gravity. The UK government had selected the latest generation of Hawk aircraft, the Hawk Mk 128, as its new advanced jet trainer. Flying the distinctive red livery BAE Systems Hawk aircraft, the Red Arrows pilots had worked extremely hard over the training season to prepare the display that conforms to the high standards expected of the Royal Air Force.
The Red Arrows pilots who took to the skies were Red 1 -- Wing Commander Jas Hawker; Red 2 -- Squadron Leader Ben Murphy; Red 3 -- Flight Lieutenant Andrew 'Boomer' Keith; Red 4 -- Flight Lieutenant Greg Perilleux; Red 5 -- Flight Lieutenant Damian 'Damo' Ellacott; Red 6 -- Squadron Leader Jim Turner; Red 7 -- Flight Lieutenant Paul 'Pablo' O'Grady; Red 8 -- Squadron Leader Scott Morley; and Red 9 -- Squadron Leader Martin Higgins. Notably, Red 4 Flight Lieutenant Greg Perilleux has served in the Sultanate with the Royal Air Force of Oman for two and a half years when he flew Jaguar fighter jets.
The hosts of Red Arrows in the Sultanate include Noel Guckian, Britain's Ambassador to the Sultanate, Simon Keith, BAE Systems Middle East Director, and David White, General Manager, BAE Systems Oman. "BAE Systems is proud to sponsor the Red Arrows on their tour of the Middle East, especially pleased that we can be part of the National Day celebrations. We sponsor the Red Arrows not because they choose to fly the BAE Systems Hawk but because their values are the same as ours. They aim for the highest levels of professionalism at all times and are constantly determined to be the best, Simon Keith said. The Red Arrows have till date performed over 4,000 displays around the world. The team will perform next in India this week.
By Ebby Chacko George
© Oman Daily Observer 2007
