Trailing plumes of red smoke, four fighter jets blasted past graduates at the air college in Al Ain yesterday, giving the public its first glance of Al Fursan — The Knights.
The UAE's aerobatic team, made up of six of the most experienced and skilled pilots in the Air Force, made its debut with a fly-by at the graduation ceremony for pilots and air-traffic control students at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College. From the UK's Red Arrows to the US's Blue Angels and the Saudi Hawks, national aerobatic teams give air forces a chance to show off their pilots' prowess. "The objective is to raise the UAE flag. It shows the proficiency of the Air Force and armed forces," said Lt Col Abdulla al Amimi, the squadron commander who led yesterday's formation.
The pilots, all Emiratis, have been training together for a year, and need about eight more months before they perform full aerobatic displays. "This was our first display, us saying 'OK guys, we're here, we're starting, and expect more from us in the future,'" Lt Col al Amimi said. "We didn't do much, but it's a start." The fly-by was timed to take place as a marching band passed assembled dignitaries, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Lt Gen Hamad Mohammed al Rumaithi, the Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces.
"We were very calm and happy to show ourselves to the public, and from what I've heard and the messages I've received, everyone is very proud," Lt Col al Amimi said. Aerobatics require a range of skills and lightning-fast reactions. The pilots went through a rigorous selection process. In accordance with international guidelines, the pilots must have at least 1,000 flying hours, and the squadron leader must have 1,500 hours.
With planes in tight formation performing synchronised loops and twists, there is no room for error. "Safety is paramount, so we don't want to push the limits too much yet," said Lt Col al Amimi, who has been in the Air Force for 20 years. He hopes the team's displays will encourage young people to become pilots. "It's also a tool to talk to the kids, to say to them maybe they should be involved in something to do with aviation," he said.
The team flies the MB 339 Aermacchi, an agile Italian light attack aircraft with fine handling that makes it ideal for aerobatics. Though their formation normally includes six planes, only four flew yesterday. One was on the ground for a display, and the team always takes to the air in even numbers. The public may have another chance to view the team at the Al Ain Aerobatic Show, which is scheduled for January 27-30.
"It's not confirmed yet, but they might do a pass-by. They're not 100 per cent ready to fully participate," said Col Hassan al Attar, military co-ordinator for the show, which combines military and civil aircraft, stunts, displays and competitions. lmorris@thenational.ae
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
more from Janine di Giovanni
Results
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Dubai Canal, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Harrab, Bernardo Pinheiro, Majed Al Jahouri
