the fifth open Fly-in day at Al Khor

Hundreds of people attended the fifth open Fly-in day at Al Khor Airfield  yesterday.
Visitors, estimated to be at least 3,000, expressed their joy to attend the “exciting and dramatic festival.
The offer by some of the small planes  to take people around the airfield  at a fee of QR150 per passenger was a great draw at the event. Visitors had to register for the ride to be called in when their turn comes.
Student pilots from Qatar Aeronautical College (QAC) had a strong presence at the event as guides for the public and active organisers. Nawras, a QAC student pilot, explained that for taking a tour, the passenger should be at least 16, fit for flying and wear protective gear.
 

The planes used were mostly gyrocopters, autogyros and micro light flown by professional pilots.  The trip usually lasted  around 15 minutes. The demand for the trip was very high and only a few had a chance yesterday.
The event features more than 30 planes, of small and light types, alongside one helicopter and a small passenger plane.
 

Professional pilots were  available next to their parked planes to answer the visitors’ queries.
Captain Keith McMahon (a commercial pilot from Ireland working in Qatar) stood by the only helicopter at the show, AW139. He explained that it was used for transporting staff working at the offshore oil industry. He said the visitors usually asked about the type of the aircraft, its speed, how long it took to be up on the air and how long it could stay flying.  
 

The head of Al-Khor Fly-in Organising Committee, Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad al-Thani, expressed his satisfaction at the immense success of the event. “We already have participation from the UAE, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia but we are limited by the small space of the Al Khor airfield,” he said.
“We need more space to accommodate for more aircraft parking so we could invite the already-willing parties from different countries such as Jordan and Lebanon to take part in the event.”
He pointed out that officials at Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, as the main sponsor of the event, had promised to take this into consideration for the next year event.
 

Mohamed al-Mohanadi, the organising manager, said  the event this year attracted more visitors due to the good weather and the publicity that had preceded it. He pointed out that every participant received a certificate and a model of Qatar’s map.
Al-Mohanadi said that students wishing to pursue a pilot’s career had an excellent opportunity at the event because QAC representatives gave them necessary guidance and information.

The US Museum of Flight, in co-operation with Qatar Foundation, conducted a variety of educational activities for children to introduce them to the history and technology of aviation.
“We came especially from Seattle to take part in the event and we try to teach children the history of aviation through games, toys and things they  build themselves such as straw rockets and airships,” said Seth Margolis, director of program-mes at the museum.
 “It is as if the whole world came here with people from different culture enjoying the event. It is really amazing and we look forward for more participation in the coming years.”
Sarah Knights, an educator from the museum,  spoke about aviation through simple tales and demonstrative toys to children surrounding her. 

The two-day event concludes today with more flying activities. The activities begin at 9am and go on until 4.30pm.

 

source from gulftimes