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The 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show will witness the final aerobatic show performance of renowned Jonathon Whaley, pilot of Miss Demeanour and its Hawker Hunter aircraft and a popular attraction at international air expos worldwide.
After 43 years of flying and 15 years of piloting Miss Demeanour, Flapjack, as Whaley is known within aviation circles, will hangs up his wings post-Al Ain, though he says his Oasis City performance won’t be his final flying gig.
“I won’t be giving up flying, just easing back on the throttle a bit,” said Whaley. “Miss Demeanour is so popular at air shows and demand for her to appear has shifted the balance between a family life and just having fun beyond the tipping point. Having her as a mistress is all very well but in the end, family has to come first. I’ve got away with it for 15 years, it’s time Miss Demeanour found a younger pilot,” added Whaley.
The 2013 edition of the Al Ain Aerobatic Show will be Miss Demeanour’s third showing in Abu Dhabi’s heritage heartland.
“Miss Demeanour has always enthralled visitors at the show with its manoeuvres,” said Sultan Al Muhairi, General Co-ordinator for Al Ain Aerobatic Show 2013. “The bright colour scheme that accentuates her shape is a work of art and kids absolutely love her performance. While we welcome Miss Demeanour to its third showing in Al Ain, we will sorely miss Flapjack at future shows and wish him all the best.”
Whaley believes Miss Demeanour has a special place in his life and says he has an uncanny connection with the aircraft he has flown for over a decade.
“The Hunter is very much one of those aircraft that you strap on and wear, rather than climb into. It handles as nicely as it looks, no matter what the colour scheme. I first flew a Hunter in 1967 and knew from the first flight that it was wonderful aircraft,” explains Whaley. “When I bought Miss Demeanour, I wanted to break away from the aircraft’s military links and bring it to everyone’s attention as a superbly designed aircraft both aerodynamically and simple purity in form.
“In the case of Miss Demeanour, she is an example of a perfect design at a peak before the demand for greater speed, ability to carry more and bigger weapons for longer and further, took away the sheer delight of flying for the sake of flying.”
Whaley flew with the UK’s Royal Air Force before he moved on to private flying. He has flown all over the world displaying his prowess at aerobatic shows and speaks fondly of Al Ain. “Bizarrely, it’s the relaxed atmosphere at the Al Ain Aerobatic Show with relatively little pressure yet being able to display enthusiastically in the wide open space that makes this show one of my fondest. Flying over the desert is something special. Just look at the number of people who take to it in 4×4s, buggies and bikes. Well, low flying over the desert is like having a cross between a 4×4 and a Formula 1 race car, but driving in three dimensions.”
Whaley will take Miss Demeanour through some special moves this year. “Given the airspace, our final manoeuvre is to go vertical from 30 feet until we are just a speck in the sky, all in a few seconds.”
Tickets for the 10th Al Ain Aerobatic Show are available via Ticketmaster – the show’s official ticketing partner. General Admission Tickets bought in advance cost AED 40 for Adults and AED 20 for youths aged 12 years and under.
Tickets and the ‘FLY PASS’ - a two-for-one advantage deal which delivers entry to the 10th anniversary show and exciting benefits at four key attractions - can be bought online at www.ticketmaster.ae and via the toll free number, 80086823 or at the international number +9714 3662289.
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