50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

United Arab Emirates aviation news

15-year-old pilot from England wins Dubai's World Drone Prix

A team led by a 15-year-old pilot from England took first place Saturday in the World Drone Prix, a new contest hoping to take flight both in this Mideast country fascinated by the technology and with sports fans worldwide. Luke Bannister of Somerset led Tornado X-Blades Banni UK to win a $250,000 purse, part of $1 million in prizes handed out in the inaugural edition of this race as a Cabinet-...

Crowds get ready for Red Bull buzz on the Abu Dhabi Corniche

Aviation fans and adrenalin junkies were out in droves to witness the qualification rounds of the Red Bull Air Race in the capital. Taking place yesterday on Abu Dhabi Corniche, the aerial race marks the start of the championship’s 2016 season, which will take place in eight destinations. Fourteen pilots competed yesterday to determine the order of play in today’s main event...

Vanity Fair

Last week UAE capital Abu Dhabi hosted traditional air show of the same name. Between us, it is difficult to attribute this show to any significant international events. The absence of any contract, two dozen planes and helicopters, much more limousines and visitors, ready to buy, all at once for exorbitant prices – these are first impressions of three days spent days in Al Bateen Executive...

Emirates seeks women pilots at Women in Aviation Conference

With women pilots and all-women flight crews making headlines at International Women’s Day events around the globe on Tuesday it was easy to forget for a moment just how imbalanced is the gender make-up of the cockpit crew at most carriers. And while social media-friendly photo ops with all-women flight crews are never a bad thing – especially for women and young girls around the world...

Royal Jet BBJ Slightly Damaged in Abu Dhabi Tempest

A Royal Jet BBJ, registered as A6-DRF, on display at Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2016 suffered what appears to be only superficial damage on Wednesday when two light aircraft were blown under it during a severe morning storm that brought the show to a halt for a second day. “Two light carbon-fiber craft were blown [by high winds] under the BBJ. I think they have been destroyed,...

flydubai becomes latest IATA member from the Middle East & North Africa

Dubai-based flydubai announced receiving its membership certificate from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), becoming the latest airline to join from the Middle East and North Africa. flydubai successfully completed its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) last year. The audit, which is a pre-requisite for an IATA membership, examined all the operational depa...

Abu Dhabi Air expo reopens as weather improves in UAE

Abu Dhabi Air Expo, being held at Al Bateen Executive Airport, reopened today at 10am after being forced to suspend activities on Wednesday because of extreme weather conditions in the city. Today is the final day of the air expo. The event was closed at around 11.25am on Wednesday when a thunderstorm hit, with strong winds blowing through the chalets, chairs, tables, and banners placed arou...

UAE Military Places Order for Unmanned Piaggio HammerHeads

The UAE military said it has signed a $346 million contract to acquire eight Piaggio P.1HH HammerHead unmanned aircraft. The general headquarters of the UAE Armed Forces made the announcement on March 8, during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. The military signed the contract with Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI), whose chairman, Homaid Al Shemmari, i...

Heavy Wind, Rain Wreaks Havoc at Abu Dhabi Bizav Expo

Heavy rains and windshear created havoc Wednesday at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo, damaging at least one static display aircraft and multiple outdoor exhibits. “It was a very bad day for us and the whole of the UAE,” said Didier Mary of show organizer 4MEvents. “Luckily no one was injured. That was the most important thing.” This weather is not typical for this time of...

GI Aviation showcases PC-12 NG at Abu Dhabi Air Expo

GI Aviation is showcasing the Pilatus PC-12 NG aircraft at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo. The aircraft, serial number 1604, arrived in Abu Dhabi on 5 March 2016. The company hoping to get its AOC during the summer. Operations will begin shortly afterwards. A second PC-12 NG is on order and will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2016. GI Aviation has appointed Marios Belidis as general manage...

ITB Berlin 2016: Emirates Airline reveals new Boeing 777 business seat

Emirates has unveiled its new Business Class seat for its Boeing 777 aircraft at ITB Berlin, the international travel trade show. The new seat will make its commercial debut on Emirates’ 170th Boeing 777 aircraft, a -300ER version which the airline expects to receive in November 2016. “Our current Boeing 777 Business Class seats are already an industry-leading premium product, an...

Abu Dhabi Air Expo Day 1

Abu Dhabi Air Expo  is dedicated to general and business aviation. The Exhibition brings together major players in aviation, enabling a demanding clientele to discover the industry's latest developments and innovations in a remarkable and convenient location, Al Bateen Executive Airport, Abu Dhabi. If due to some reasons you are not attending the Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2016, take a walk wi...