The 2007 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will take to the skies in April with a display by the world-class British Aerobatic Display Team - The Blades. The Team launched in May 2006 and are the UK’s only commercially run full-time 4-ship aerobatic display team. The four former Red Arrows pilots also comprise the world’s first globally accredited aerobatic airline.
Having thrilled audiences at over 50 air shows in Europe already, The Blades have displayed at some of the most prestigious private events including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 80th Birthday celebrations at Balmoral Castle and the 2006 Pre-World Cup Party hosted by David & Victoria Beckham. This deployment in the Kingdom of Bahrain will be The Blades’ first tour outside Europe and the team will be known as ‘The Blades in Bahrain’.
The Blades’ parent company 2 Excel Aviation has created a strategic alliance with Magnum Events and Exhibitions Management (MEEM) to provide the same services they provide in the UK to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Capitalizing on the exceptional skills and heritage of the Team, the Blades will provide awe-inspiring public and private displays, opportunities to fly in the front seat of their Extra 300s, and the chance to use the display team’s exceptional capabilities as a marketing and communications tool.
In order for The Blades to display at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) the four high-performance Extra 300 LPs will be transported by airfreight to the Middle East. The wings will be taken off the fuselage with the components fastened inside purpose built containers. It will take a total of three weeks to build the containers, take the aircraft apart, transport them to the Middle East and rebuild them.
“Moving the aircraft such a long way is a new experience for us” said team leader and form Red 1 Andy Offer. “A pilot will be with them every step of the way from the dismantling stage to supervising the off loading at the other end. It’s both challenging and exciting but it’s definitely worth it to display for the Grand Prix.”
The Bahrain Grand Prix will be the third round of the FIA Formula One World Championship. The Blades will be based in Bahrain from March 14th till May 14th.
