RIYADH, 4 February 2005 — A spectacular exhibition of aerobatics and sky diving held crowds in Riyadh spellbound on Wednesday. The show moves to Jeddah today.

The Aviation Museum along the airport road was packed as four Czech pilots from the renowned Flying Bulls Aerobatics Team showed their mastery in the sky in their Zlin propeller planes that dived, rocketed straight up, flew zig-zag, or blazed trails of smoke across the sky.

Young and old, citizens and expatriates, burst into cheers at their daring feats, never witnessed in the capital before. The airplanes sported the colors and logo of Red Bull (energy drink), which sponsored the show.

The show got off the ground with a solo flight by Capt. Ahmed Al-Zahrani who rode on his para-motor — a sort of propeller-driven flying chair — which he invented. Al-Zahrani flew in circles and loops at an altitude of 1,000 feet to the delight of the spectators.

The event was watched, among others, by Prince Badr Al-Farhan, Austrian Ambassador Fredrich Stift, Western expatriates and hundreds of Saudis who came along with their families. Some children remained perched atop their cars as they craned their necks skyward to watch. In a capital where exciting events are a rarity, the aerial stunts pumped up the adrenaline for young and old.

Capt. Al-Zahrani said he had been doing aerobatics for several years and won a variety of awards for his skills. Recently, he flew at an altitude of 11,000 feet in the UAE air show. “I could not fly higher than that in my para-motor, as I was unable to breathe properly at that height. The record in this category of flying is 12,000 feet,” he observed.

Speaking on behalf of the Saudi Aviation Club, Capt. Ahmed M.Al-Juhani, executive director of the club, said they are trying to promote sky diving, para-gliding, para-motors and micro flights as part of their plan to boost aerobatics as a tourist attraction. The air show by the Flying Bulls will be their signature event which will be held every year. The Flying Bulls have performed at air shows throughout the world.

He said the four Czech pilots will perform in Jeddah on Friday between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Al-Nawrus roundabout near the Movenpick Resort.

Capt. Al-Juhani said they are planning to start a flying school in Riyadh at Al Thumama Airport. Later, they will train Saudis to be aerobatic pilots.

“We have received a lot of applications for enrolment to the flying school. But nobody has been enrolled yet, as the school will start in about three months,” he said. The minimum requirement for admission is the candidate’s ability to read and write in English. He should also be able to understand the requirements of the Presidency of Civil Aviation.

He said the Saudi Aviation Club would be based at the Thumama Airport. “We are also planning to start a flying school and a sky diving school in the Western Province as well.”