Saleh Fareed

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Radio-controlled aircraft pilots from nine Arab countries are in the city to compete in the 3rd Arabian Radio-Control Aviation event starting Saturday.



Competitors at the seven-day event, organized by Take Off Radio Control Club with the assistance of Arab Air Sports Federation and Saudi Aviation Club, are from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, the UAE, Algeria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and Syria.



Around 40 contestants will use radio control helicopters and planes to compete in races and manipulate their lightweight crafts through various maneuvers, including barrel rolls, loops and dives.



Captain  Mohammed Al-Nassar, director of the championship, said: “Preparations for this tournament have been in high gear and we have provided a good location and a well-equipped control room with the latest software that works for the flight operations according to international standards and specifications. These will be handled byexperienced Saudi technicians.”



Al-Nassar said visitors and residents of Jeddah will experience the excitement and thrill of RC airplanes watching the stunning performances of the best RC pilots in the region.



“All that we want is to make those remote control jet enthusiasts appreciate and enjoy the competition in two shifts; from 9 a.m. to 12.30 pm, and from 4 to 7 p.m. at Take Off RC Club on the King Road,” he said.

The Take Off RC Club hopes that the competition will encourage Jeddah spectators to become interested in radio control model flying in addition to add an exciting event to the ongoing Jeddah Summer Festival 2013.