The Russian Knights have demonstrated their skills at the Dubai Airshow. The performance of the famous aerobatics team on Su-30SMs has even overshadowed the hosts. Artyom Potemin — on the reception of Russian airplanes.
Through the crimson smoke, the Knights burst into the skies of Dubai. The host of the airshow is Al Fursan, an aerobatics demonstration team from the UAE. But flying trainer aircrafts is one thing, and the only ones to pilot heavy fighters, their wings almost touching, are Russians — the Russian Knights.
This time, Russians are the headliners. Nobody leaves the exhibition without watching them perform aerobatic maneuvers. A year ago, the Knights switched to super-maneuverable fighters Su-30SM and discovered new possibilities. Now the flight of aircrafts needs even less time to relocate.
The group had arrived to Dubai without the lead plane after only two stopovers. From take-off to landing, it's 24 minutes of time, hundreds of liters of burnt fuel, a countless number of maneuvers and an ocean of viewers' admiration. The pilots seem to be doing everything effortlessly, but as they get out of the aircrafts, they look like they've been through a marathon.
Andrey Alekseev, Russian Knights Commander:
"First of all, it's very hot. The air is thin. The thrust is reduced. And another challenge is this thick mist in the atmospheric surface layer. Also, the terrain has no reference points. Once you turn away from the airfield, it's nothing but the desert. Nothing to catch your eye. It feels like you're flying over the water".
Despite all the twists of the French Rafale, the substantive negotiations at the forum were all about buying Russian Su-35s. It's a 4++ generation fighter jet that is almost swimming in the streams of hot air, alternatively diving down and freezing in mid-air upside down.
Another focus of attention in Dubai is MiG-35, a new product from Russia. The facilities in Lukhovitsy can manufacture more than 30 aircrafts annually, first for Russia's Aerospace Forces, but then also for export.
Ilya Tarasenko, MiG CEO:
"What we're offering is not just an aircraft. It's a whole system. A system of preparation, a system of after-sales service and customer support. It's also a certain financial package that we're currently developing with Rosoboronexport".
The colors of the Russian flag appear in the sky above the airshow every day. The civil line includes the rescue aircraft Be-200. The guest from Taganrog has demonstrated its firefighting abilities by dropping a couple of tons of water in the desert.
Between the flights, viewers run to marquees to cool down, literally and figuratively. The Al Maktoum airfield offers almost no places to hide from the scorching sun, except for under a wing of a huge airplane.
The Middle East, as we know, values not only luxury and wealth, but also large scale, which is why double-deck airplanes, like this Airbus A380, are not uncommon for Arabian airlines. The top deck is usually a VIP cabin, and passenger seats here look more like actual hotel rooms. Extra perks include a mini-movie theater and even a personal chef.
- So, Evian, what food do you offer to your first-class passengers?
Evian Smith, Chef: "We have a different menu for every day, depending on the route. For example, if you are going to an Asian country, we could offer you Asian cuisine".
- And what about Russian food?
Evian Smith, Chef: "We do have Russian food, since we also fly to Russia".
- "What Russian dishes do you know?"
Evian Smith, Chef: "I have tasted some before. Vodka, if that counts".
In the everlasting competition between Boeing and Airbus, this time, in Dubai, Americans got a big win. One of the world's biggest airlines, Emirates, signed a contract with them to purchase 40 Dreamliners. By the way, titanium used for their production comes from Russia.
Randy Tinseth, VP, Marketing at Boeing:
"The Dreamliner actually has 20 tons of titanium, so collaboration with Russia is very important to us. We also have a large design center in Moscow. Its team is helping us to build the 787s".
Russian aircraft manufacturers do not lag behind. Indian company Vectra Group was the first one to order advanced multi-purpose MI-171A2s from Russian Helicopters. The company is convinced that their helicopters being used overseas will help to transform the interest of other countries into real contracts.
Artyom Potemin, Ilya Nalyotov and Nikita Kurunov. Vesti from Dubai.
