Skydivers weave patterns as they set records

posted on 27/03/2004: 78 views

All eyes were turned skywards yesterday as a 121-strong troupe of skydivers dropped in on Umm Al Qaiwain - smashing a trio of records in the process. Out of a clear blue sky, the German divers plunged 18,000 feet holding hands in an eight-base formation with a star base in the centre.



In the process, they established new German, European and Middle East records for the number of divers in the formation. The previous record involved 80 skydivers jumping in a similar formation in Hoexter, Germany, in 1999. The event was significant for the UAE as it was the first time that such a feat was performed from the UAQ Aero Club, the only civilian drop zone in the Middle East. The team, who arrived in the UAE just a few days ago jumped with oxygen from the AN-12 aircraft of British Gulf International Airlines.



It is a tough record to establish. When the skydivers dive, they are in a free fall at 200km per hour. So there is a difference of at least 400 metres between the first and last diver. The one who is last has to accelerate and come to the level of the first diver so that the formation can be made. Even if one diver fails to link up to the formation, the attempt fails. (The Gulf News)



On membership, the report said the number of shareholders in all the cooperative societies throughout the country by the end of last year stood at 25,206,000, an increase of 1,985 shareholders which represents 8.45 per cent against the number in 2002. The capital also rose to Dh362 million by the end of 2003, an increase of Dh23 million, which represents a 7 per cent rise against the 2002 figure. (The Emirates News Agency, WAM)

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