Britain's world-famous Red Arrows aerobatics team is embarking on its Eastern Arrow tour that will include two eye-catching displays in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on October 17.
Flying BAe Systems' Hawk jet trainers, the Red Arrows, will spend four days training in Oman prior to flying on to Malaysia for the start of the five-week long tour of Far East and Middle East countries, that will celebrate 100 years of powered flight.
In addition to the displays in the UAE the Red Arrows will also perform in Thailand, India, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Acknowledged as one of the world's top aerobatics teams, the Red Arrows will be making their 20th appearance in the UAE.
Led by Squadron Leader Carl 'Spike' Jepson, the team, that consists of over 100 officers and airmen, is taking off from RAF Scampton, in Eastern England, to fly to Oman for their final pre-tour training stint.
As part of their display, the Red Arrows will perform a new manoeuvre, the Fountain Split. It involves all nine Hawk aircraft climbing vertically into a loop, with the front five aircraft completing an upwards fan-shaped manoeuvre whilst the other four cascade downwards.
"We feel very honoured to be invited to display in the UAE," said Squadron Leader 'The Boss' Jepson, 37. "For most of the team it will be the first time we have visited the Emirates and we are looking forward to furthering the warm relationship between our two countries."
This is Squadron Leader Jepson's second season as the Red Arrows' Team Leader. "All members of the team have worked extremely hard to prepare a display that conforms to the high standards expected of the Royal Air Force."
Added Simon Keith, managing director, BAe Systems Middle East: "The Red Arrows have a rich history and a deserved reputation as the best of the best.
"The team's visit to the UAE underscores our commitment to our partners there, where BAe Systems has been supporting equipment in service with the UAE Armed Forces, for many years."
He noted that in the Middle East the Hawk dominates the market for advanced jet trainers.
"It is in service with five Gulf Cooperation Council air forces, playing a key role in introducing student pilots to the higher speeds and high cockpit workload associated with the safe operation of an advanced military jet aircraft," added Keith.
With a top speed exceeding Mach 1.2, the Hawk is powered by a Rolls Royce Adour engine producing 5,200lb 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.
Gulf News
