12 November 2007
MUSCAT--The UK Red Arrows are delighted to be invited to return to Muscat and so close to Oman National Day. Oman is one of the team's favourite destinations. The Reds (as they are known) will perform their breathtaking display on November 19 at 4pm along Shatti Al Qurum beach (close to the Muscat InterContinental Hotel). Their world famous aerobatic display will be a tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the people of Oman on the occasion of National Day celebrations. They last displayed in Muscat in May 2006 - a display highly acclaimed by the thousands of spectators who witnessed it. It will be a spectacular event involving dramatic manoeuvres for the general public to watch from their rooftops and from the Quurm beach area. British Ambassador Noel Guckian will hold a reception for up to 1,000 guests to mark the event
Wing Commander Jas Hawker, leader (Red 1) of this year's display said: "It is an honour for the British Red Arrows to display again in the Muscat. We have very happy memories of our display in Oman last year when the team were given a warm and gracious welcome. We look forward to meeting our many friends there again in November and especially to meet a cross section of young Omanis".
This year in Muscat the Reds will unveil not only a new exciting display format but a brand new aircraft paint-scheme.
The change in the world-famous design is thought to be the first major permanent alteration since the Red Arrows took delivery of their first Hawk aircraft.
On the change to aircraft paint design, "We needed to keep a careful balance between instant recognition of our famous aircraft livery and reminding people that we are proud to represent the UK Royal Air Force. This is especially important when many Royal Air Force personnel are away from home, serving overseas in front line operations. We are a visible way of reminding people of our colleagues' hard work and professionalism in the line of duty.
The Red Arrows left UK on November 4 for a six-week tour of the Middle and Far East, and plan to return on December 18.
They are set to visit 13 countries, including Jordan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, India and Pakistan. During their 15,000 mile trip they will perform their famous air display a total of 18 times. Millions of people are expected to turn out to watch the team display during the course of the goodwill tour. The tour has been made possible by the support of two UK companies: BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.
"We are proud to represent the UK overseas." said Wing Commander Hawker, "We hope to demonstrate the very best of British to millions of people in the countries we will visit, both in terms of the skill of our people and of the quality of the Hawk aircraft that we fly."
Flying the BAE Systems Hawk, all nine display pilots are operational fast jet pilots from front-line Royal Air Force squadrons. They will be supported during the six-week tour by a support team of 30 Royal Air Force personnel. The BAE Systems Hawk aircraft plays a key role within the Royal Air Force and other air forces world-wide. With a top speed exceeding Mach 1.2, the Hawk is powered by a Rolls Royce Adour engine producing 5,200lb of thrust. During the Red Arrows' 23-minute display, pilots pull up to eight times the force of gravity, showing off the aircraft's power and manoeuvrability.
2007 is the Red Arrows' 43rd display season. Since the Team's creation in 1965, the Red Arrows have flown over 4,000 displays in 53 countries.
Dr Noel Guckian OBE said: "The UK Royal Air Force Red Arrows display on November 19 at 4pm over Qurum beach will be a tribute to His Majesty the Sultan and the people of Oman, underlying the long and enduring friendship between our two countries. We are delighted that Muscat is one of the Red Arrows favourite destinations and they in turn are honoured to be allowed to perform so close to Oman National Day. The Red Arrows and the Hawk aircraft represent the very best of the professional excellence that can be achieved".
MUSCAT--The UK Red Arrows are delighted to be invited to return to Muscat and so close to Oman National Day. Oman is one of the team's favourite destinations. The Reds (as they are known) will perform their breathtaking display on November 19 at 4pm along Shatti Al Qurum beach (close to the Muscat InterContinental Hotel). Their world famous aerobatic display will be a tribute to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the people of Oman on the occasion of National Day celebrations. They last displayed in Muscat in May 2006 - a display highly acclaimed by the thousands of spectators who witnessed it. It will be a spectacular event involving dramatic manoeuvres for the general public to watch from their rooftops and from the Quurm beach area. British Ambassador Noel Guckian will hold a reception for up to 1,000 guests to mark the event
Wing Commander Jas Hawker, leader (Red 1) of this year's display said: "It is an honour for the British Red Arrows to display again in the Muscat. We have very happy memories of our display in Oman last year when the team were given a warm and gracious welcome. We look forward to meeting our many friends there again in November and especially to meet a cross section of young Omanis".
This year in Muscat the Reds will unveil not only a new exciting display format but a brand new aircraft paint-scheme.
The change in the world-famous design is thought to be the first major permanent alteration since the Red Arrows took delivery of their first Hawk aircraft.
On the change to aircraft paint design, "We needed to keep a careful balance between instant recognition of our famous aircraft livery and reminding people that we are proud to represent the UK Royal Air Force. This is especially important when many Royal Air Force personnel are away from home, serving overseas in front line operations. We are a visible way of reminding people of our colleagues' hard work and professionalism in the line of duty.
The Red Arrows left UK on November 4 for a six-week tour of the Middle and Far East, and plan to return on December 18.
They are set to visit 13 countries, including Jordan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, India and Pakistan. During their 15,000 mile trip they will perform their famous air display a total of 18 times. Millions of people are expected to turn out to watch the team display during the course of the goodwill tour. The tour has been made possible by the support of two UK companies: BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.
"We are proud to represent the UK overseas." said Wing Commander Hawker, "We hope to demonstrate the very best of British to millions of people in the countries we will visit, both in terms of the skill of our people and of the quality of the Hawk aircraft that we fly."
Flying the BAE Systems Hawk, all nine display pilots are operational fast jet pilots from front-line Royal Air Force squadrons. They will be supported during the six-week tour by a support team of 30 Royal Air Force personnel. The BAE Systems Hawk aircraft plays a key role within the Royal Air Force and other air forces world-wide. With a top speed exceeding Mach 1.2, the Hawk is powered by a Rolls Royce Adour engine producing 5,200lb of thrust. During the Red Arrows' 23-minute display, pilots pull up to eight times the force of gravity, showing off the aircraft's power and manoeuvrability.
2007 is the Red Arrows' 43rd display season. Since the Team's creation in 1965, the Red Arrows have flown over 4,000 displays in 53 countries.
Dr Noel Guckian OBE said: "The UK Royal Air Force Red Arrows display on November 19 at 4pm over Qurum beach will be a tribute to His Majesty the Sultan and the people of Oman, underlying the long and enduring friendship between our two countries. We are delighted that Muscat is one of the Red Arrows favourite destinations and they in turn are honoured to be allowed to perform so close to Oman National Day. The Red Arrows and the Hawk aircraft represent the very best of the professional excellence that can be achieved".
© Times of Oman 2007
