Team Viper, the world’s only Hawker Hunter fighter jet display squadron, has joined the list of international aerobatic and display teams that will headline the 2011 Al Ain Aerobatic Show, organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) in conjunction with the UAE Armed Forces.

The Al Ain Aerobatic Show is held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

With serving or former members of the British Royal Air Force piloting all four of Team Viper’s supersonic jets, the squadron’s dazzling formations will be one of big draws at the world-famous show, which runs from February 2-5 at Al Ain International Airport, on the edge of the Oasis City.

Each Hunter aircraft, named after the Rolls Royce Viper engines that power the jets, weighs over 9 tonnes, produces over 10,000 lbs of thrust and is capable of speeds approaching 1,000 kilometers per hour.

“Team Viper thrilled the crowds last year with its amazing, gravity-defying display, and it will once again appear at this world-class spectacle in February. The Al Ain Aerobatic Show is acknowledged as one of the world’s leading aerobatic shows, and in 2011 we will be making it bigger and better than ever before, both on the ground and in the sky,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, ADTA.

Now in its 9th year, the Al Ain Aerobatic Show is firmly established as one of the world’s top 5 aerobatic events. Crowds of 130,000 are expected to watch the world’s top pilots maneuver their agile aircraft in 4 days of drama in the skies above Al Ain.

Taking centre-stage at the 2011 event will be the unique, multi-discipline FAI Desert Challenge. Arranged by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale, the world air sports federation, the Desert Challenge will see six world-class pilots flying CAP232, Sukhoi 26 and Xtreme aircraft, in a classic and free-style format competition.

Making their Middle East debut will be the Baltic Bees from Russia, flying L-39C Albatros twin-shaft jets at speeds topping 900 km/h, while the eye-catching bravado of Miss Demeanour, a Hawker Hunter built for Britain's Royal Air Force as a mark F.4 XF947 in 1956, is back for a second consecutive year.

In total, more than 15 aerobatic and display teams from 4 continents are appearing at the family-orientated show, including wing-walkers, subsonic jets and stunningly choreographed “dancers in the sky.”