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AL AIN AEROBATICS SHOW 2008 an International Event in the UAE AL AIN AEROBATICS SHOW 2008 An International Event in the UAE By Greg Koontz from all over the world were at an airfield in 1906 England assem- bling their wildly-varied types of aircraft, preparing for the race raveling almost half way around the world to perform in an across the channel. Well, let me tell you, we were playing that scene airshow is truly a most unique experience, but sending your out of the movie. Hungary, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, South beloved airplane over there in a shipping box is a very stress- Africa, Jordan, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Lithuania, Russia, Tful one. Italy and, of course, America all vying for space in the hangar and That’s what Skip Stewart, Michael Watkins, Darrel Zeck, Chris trying to communicate, if not to say hello, but to at least borrow a Rudd and myself did between January 17th and February 1st. Repre- wrench! I had to go outside and laugh. senting the USA in a gathering of aviators After we all figured out how to get our from all corners of the globe, we braved planes together, there were the test flights. butt-busting airline rides, jet lag, and lan- Now those real airshow pilots danced guage barriers to arrive in the middle of their acro-dance and then went out and the UAE to do our part in the sand dunes practiced with deep concentration. I of the desert. headed for the desert and sand dunes Arrival day meant dragging out of the with my Piper Cub and found great sat- hotel with our bio-clocks wrecked and isfaction chasing camels! I found myself heading to the air base in Al Ain to open trying to convince the British (contract) the shipping containers. We could only tower controllers I needed more practice hope the truck drivers and crane opera- because everyone wanted to go camel tors had not returned our planes to kit chasing! Hey, this is a tough job! form. We were lucky, so the day was spent The producers and volunteers from emptying the containers and assembling the show treated everyone with great our birds. care and respect. The hotel accommoda- Anyone out there ever see the old tions were four-star. The performer tent movie Those Magnificent Men in their was a luxury tent with lots of service and Flying Machines? If you’re that old, you catering. Safety was not a rule, it was a might remember the scene where teams LAW. Skip and I were the only ones given Top: Skip Stewart is a virtual silhouette against Rich Gibson’s pyro (photo by Taro Imahara). Above: Camel chasing in Greg’s Cub (photo by Greg Koontz). 34 World Airshow News March/April 2008 Above left: The USA contingent at Al Ain (left to right) Joan LeRoy, Chris Rudd, Rich Gibson, Michael Watkins, Skip Stewart, Tommy LeRoy (front), David “Fricky” Fickenscher, Darrel Zeck, Greg Koontz, Tom Skrobot, and Christina Stewart (photo courtesy of Skip Stewart). Right: Skip’s Prometheus in the shipping container (photo by Skip Stewart). permission to do our take-offs on the ramp (there was no runway in this is show-biz even in the UAE! front of the crowd). In fact we, Jurgis Kairys, and Zoltan Veres were When it was all said and done, Skip Stewart stole the show. Skip the only ones allowed aerobatics below a 150 foot hard deck. was scheduled as the Grand Finale every day of the show. When Skip The audience was limited to a rather large set of temporary powered up for his trademark takeoff, they ran to the ropes. You can bleachers and a row of luxury suites with patios occupied by the call Skip “the next LeRoy” or whatever, but the truth is he was Skip upper class. The people here are very family oriented. I think I have Stewart in his own right. He flew a sharp, well-practiced sequence of never seen so many kids at a show. Language really wasn’t a problem, pure excitement. Skip reminds me of Jimmy Franklin in his ability to so getting up-close and personal with the crowd was much easier make precise flying look crazy. It was top notch entertainment. And than expected. I even got mobbed by enthusiastic fans trying to get the people of Al Ain know. They have the pick of the world. me to sign “hero cards.” It was actually fun and comfortable to me. The memory of Jim LeRoy was respectfully acknowledged by I found that Jurgis was a real celebrity at this show. He ran a all, and the show ended on the last day with a missing man forma- really exciting aerobatic competition and seemed to be a respected tion that pulled on my heart. The honor of leading the missing man advisor to the event. If you’ve ever watched him fly you would have formation very appropriately went to Skip himself. And just to show no problem understanding this. I was also amazed when he showed how warm the Emirates are, they flew Joan LeRoy and son Tommy up with two “Hooters” style models, jazzing up his appearance. Man, to the show in a proud expression of respect. Skip Stewart’s Pitts and Greg Koontz’s Cub bake in the desert heat (photo by Greg Koontz). www.airshowmag.com World Airshow News 35.
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