British Aerospace Hawk operators from around the world are gathering in Dubai this week for the aircraft's users' symposium.
"We are getting every Hawk operator in the world to send a delegation here to swap notes on how they fly the aircraft," says Peter Anstiss, Hawk director of sales and marketing.
BAe is cautiously optimistic about future sales of the Hawk in the Middle East, building on its strong customer base in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar.
Some 150 of the 700 worldwide sales of the Hawk have been made in the region.
"We are getting an enormous boost by having the Royal Air Force Red Arrows here flying the Hawk.
"We are getting a lot of repeat buyers," he says. "As frontline fighter aircraft are strengthened, then training fleets in the Middle East have to be increased."
Antiss says the advanced technology used in the Hawk's cockpit means it can ease pilot transition to similarly-equipped frontline fighters.
"In some trainers you have to do negative training when pilots transition from hi-tech turboprop trainers to jet trainers with clocks and dials."
Source: Flight Daily News
