Raptor has its fans in rapture

Tim Brooks

• Last Updated: November 16. 2009 12:34AM UAE / November 15. 2009 8:34PM GMT

DUBAI // On a day filled with airborne spectacle in a city used to high speed and loud noise, the angular, impossibly manoeuvrable F-22 still stood out.

The American Raptor fighter, seen for the first time yesterday at a Middle East air show, caused thousands to point as it appeared in the distance. It arrived with a rumble that turned into a roar which shook the ground as it passed by.

Eric De Villiers, 43, from South Africa, explained why the plane is so special.

“Look at the way it twists in the air. No other plane can turn that fast. It would be impossible for a pilot to achieve that, but electronics enable it to turn almost on its own axis. It is a breathtaking sight.”

Yet even the sleek, angular wonder was eclipsed – at least in terms of size – by the sight of the mammoth Airbus A380. The largest passenger aircraft in the world, it can seat 600 passengers in a double-decker fuselage and can fly more than 15,000km without refuelling.

Standing stationary it seems improbable that a plane of such scale could ever take off. For the self-confessed aircraft obsessive Vincent Chino, 39, from Belgium, the high point of the show was the A380, despite the fact he had flown on one from Europe the day before.

“To see these aircraft close up is breathtaking. It is not often that you get to see a ‘big bird’ at close quarters,” he said. “It is an amazing sight because, despite its scale, it is very technologically advanced. It is unbelievable to think it can hold 600 passengers. It looks like it isn’t moving at all.”

The French display team Patrouille de France kicked off an afternoon of aerial demonstrations, sweeping overhead and leaving a trail of red, white and blue smoke in its wake. There were cheers as the planes twisted and turned in close formation in a series of adrenaline-pumping stunts.

Acrobatic displays were the highlight at the 11th Dubai Air Show. With almost 900 exhibitors this year, the show is the largest yet, and more than 50,000 visitors are expected over five days.

With exhibits ranging from the latest gizmos, small pilotless planes and state-of-the-art fighter jets to some of the world’s largest passenger airliners, there was no shortage of interest for customers and enthusiasts.

For Yahya Salim, 58, from Sudan, returning to the air show for the 10th time, the sights are what brings him back each year.

“It never loses its ability to be awe-inspiring,” Mr Salim said. “The main element of the show is the noise. You can hear the planes long before you see them. The flying displays are very acrobatic and the pilots’ skill level is incredible.”

The Eurofighter Typhoon also made its debut at the air show. Som Naith, 38, from India, was so excited about the display he had arrived three hours before the scheduled start just to get the best spot.

“The Typhoon is so fast you have to crane your neck to follow it. The roar as it flies past is an amazing adrenaline rush. There is no more exhilarating sight in the world.”

The Typhoon was one of the most-visited planes in the static exhibition and one of the few where the public was allowed to sit in the cockpit. For Ratheesh Nair, 25, from India, the experience was the fulfilment of an ambition.

“It was an amazing feeling to sit in the plane itself,” he said. “I feel very privileged. It was like being in a cocoon. I always wanted to fly a fighter jet but although I am young, I am too old to learn now. At least I can now imagine what it is like. The skill required to pilot one of these planes is incredible.”

While the air display thrilled the enthusiasts, the show also served to showcase the latest designs to potential buyers. And aviation in the Middle East is becoming big business. In 2007, the show achieved a record-breaking order of US$155billion (Dh570bn). According to industry experts, there is every chance that the regional market will continue to grow.

Organisers said defence spending in the region was predicted to exceed $100bn by 2014, with Airbus calculating that the number of civil aircraft serving the region will treble by 2028. With the global aviation industry affected by the economic slowdown and projected growth being loudly criticised by environmental lobbyists, the market is more competitive than ever.

But for flying fanatic, such as Mr Chino, it was important to enjoy every minute of the show.

“There will undoubtedly be fewershows like this in the future because the industry is being challenged to be more efficient,” he said.

“There has been a lot of research into environmental technology but there is no escaping the fact that aircraft use a lot of fuel.

“There will come a time when limits are imposed and the number and scale of aircraft reduced. In years to come people will reflect that this was the golden age for aircraft.”

tbrooks@thenational.ae