Alexandr Ctitor may not be a conventional aircraft pilot, but he still flies passengers hundreds of metres high above the Dubai desert.
The 45-year-old from Moldova is licensed to fly paramotors. These machines are light and portable aircraft – without any doors or roof – that run on regular fuel with the help of a giant parachute. It is similar to paragliding, but with the addition of a motor and larger wings.
Since taking up the sport five years ago, Mr Ctitor has completed more than 800 flights.
He freelances with Paramotor Desert Adventure Aviation Club, located on Al Ain Road in Dubai. The company offers the public rides on a two-seater paramotor, which flies above a remote desert with scenic views of a manmade lake, animals in a conservation reserve and Downtown Dubai.
“I always wanted to fly, from an early age, so at first I took up skydiving,” said Mr Ctitor, who works full time as a parachute rigger for another Dubai company.
“About 25 years ago, I saw someone doing paramotoring and that’s when I knew this is what I wanted to do.”
Mr Ctitor said he has completed countless skydives, but he prefers “the control” paramotoring offers, because the pilot can choose the speed, direction and elevation.
The company he flies with has a paramotor known as the gold standard for these machines. It can go up 75kph and fly at altitudes between 50 and 400 metres.
“I love flying over the desert, seeing the animals, the lake – it’s all very beautiful,” Mr Ctitor said.
“I also enjoy seeing the reaction of our passengers because this is something they may not have tried before. About 10 per cent to 15 per cent of the customers do get nervous, but there are big smiles on their faces when they are in the air,” he said.
Like all aircraft, paramotoring comes with risks. Mr Ctitor said there have not been any incidents during his trips, because he calls off the flight if he suspects any kind of malfunction prior to take-off.
But there have been major accidents reported in other parts of the world.
Last year, a British man died in Bangkok after his paramotor’s engine failed.
Three weeks ago, a man in San Francisco had to be rescued after his paramotor’s wires tangled up in power lines.
“There is risk everywhere – but you can avoid it if you are well prepared. There is also a safety parachute,” Mr Ctitor said.
In most countries, including the UAE, a special licence is required to operate and even build paramotors.
Mr Ctitor said the process takes up to one year.
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All times UTC 4
While you're here
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
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- Three wins in past 10 starts
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A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
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- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
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Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
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- Sep 1, 2016 Beat Japan 2-1 (away)
- Sep 6, 2016 Lost to Australia 1-0 (home)
- Oct 6, 2016 Beat Thailand 3-1 (home)
- Oct 11, 2016 Lost to Saudi Arabia 3-0 (away)
- Nov 15, 2016 Beat Iraq 2-0 (home)
- Mar 23, 2017 Lost to Japan 2-0 (home)
- Mar 28, 2017 Lost to Australia 2-0 (away)
- June 13, 2017 Drew 1-1 with Thailand (away)
- Aug 29, 2017 v Saudi Arabia (home)
- Sep 5, 2017 v Iraq (away)
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
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