Hi
The practice sessions have started for the annual flypast on Qatar National Day (Dec 18th)
Today (10 Dec) the Mirages and Alphas did 2 practice flybys over the Corniche between 1500-1515 and the PC21s practiced between 1530-1545
The format has differed each day in previous years so it may well be different tomorrow. Today the Mirages and Alphas did a formation flyby followed by a solo display by Mirage and then Alpha (both were part of the flypast).
The PC21s were a 4 ship formation that circled the Corniche twice before performing a split over the planned crowdline.
Serials were QA86, 92, 93, 95, 96, 98 for Mirage, QA51, 54 plus one unidentified for the Alphas and the PCs were QA353, 354, 355 and 356
I didnt see any helis or large transport practice today
The QND happens on Dec 18th every year, usually around 0900 when the light isnt very good and the place is packed with lots of folks taking advantage of a national holiday. The best way to get decent photos and serials is actually to catch the practice flypasts. Last year they flew nearly every day in the 10 days or so leading up to the event, exceptions are Fridays and (normally) the day before (17th) plus any where the weather might be iffy which can happen in December.
In 2013 for the first time they published practice times in the local press, in previous years it was a case of guesswork and listening out for the tell-tale sounds of mass launches. On the practice days they fly normally two full flyby routines - they start with 2 or 3 helis carrying flags then the main flypast begins with a 9 ship Mirage 2000 and 2 Alphas, then C17 followed by C130s, then a heli flypast from a different direction, then solo displays by Alpha and Mirage. They do mix it up and no 2 days are exactly identical, this year of course there are PC21s as well for the first time. Around 15 mins later they do the whole thing again before recovering. On the 18th they only do the one flyby. The Mirages, Alphas, Gazelle and Sea Kings all fly from the old airport, the C17s and C130s and I think the AW139s and PC21s fly from Al Udeid .
The helis tend to formate just south of the old airport and fly around in circles awaiting their turn before heading into the Corniche area approximately parallel with the old airport runway. The fast jets and transports formate over the Gulf and can normally be seen circling in the distance waiting their turn.
The best place for photos is on the Corniche and there are 2 main spots with the sun behind you. The first is the park behind the Museum of Islamic Art which loops around in a curve with a couple of small mounds at the back from which nice portrait photos can be taken. You would need 400mm to be able to read the fast jet and heli serials from there. GE ref 25 17 56N, 51 32 31E
The place I find best is further along the Corniche heading clockwise just past the MOIA there is a small road leading into the bay which is used by the fisherman and dhows, the end of that road gives the optimum spot for distance and view on the flypast stuff in my opinion. GE ref 25 17 43N, 51 31 38E
There is a word of caution in that the helis tend to choose whatever line they want to go down the Corniche and it does vary, I have been frustrated on several occasions when they flew directly overhead rather than off to one side - more than once I have relocated to shoot them only to find they shifted their track and came over my head once again. Note that the AW139s have their serials also on the top of the rotor heads so if you do find they are coming overhead then go for the shots anyway and you may be able to identify a few.
On the 18th itself the MOIA museum park will be closed til later in the morning after the flypast has finished. On the 18th I would suggest to head for the other spot as early as possible and stay there - take food and drink with you as there isnt anywhere to buy any on the small dock itself. The roads will be blocked to car traffic from around 6am til after the flypast so you may have to walk the last bit. The event also has a large parade with it that uses the main Corniche on the 18th itself, the flypast is at the end of the parade time and the flag waving helis are at the start of it.
There will be fireworks in the evening at the Corniche which will be worth a look, the locals also decorate their cars and there is dancing in the street so all traffic in the evening grinds to a halt as well.
Hope that helps anyone planning to visit this year
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