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Daredevil pilot lands plane on Burj Al Arab helipad with ‘Bullseye’ stunt

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Another breathtaking moment has been added to the list of feats achieved at Burj Al Arab in Dubai when a pilot achieved a perfect drop landing on the iconic hotel’s famous helipad.

Polish pilot Luke Czepiela, who has also done many difficult types of flying feats, termed it a “bulls-eye landing” in the prevailing weather conditions and the given challenges.
At 6.58am on March 14, the pilot became “the first person in history to land a plane on the helipad” at 212 metres of height.

Ranking his other achievements in detail, Czepiela went on to rate his latest feat on a stellar resume as “11 out of 10”. A former Red Bull Air Race Challenger Class World Champion, he had just 27 metres of round space to bring his Cub Crafters STOL (short take-off and landing) plane to a stop from a landing speed of 43km/h. He brought it to a halt in just 20.76 metres from touchdown on his third attempt.

Although the aircraft is designed for abrupt landings in typical conditions, landing a plane on a platform raised 212 metres in the air, next to a 56-storey building, and with no visual cues to guide him made Czepiela’s historic landing an extraordinary feat.

Czepiela had been preparing for this historic moment since 2021, having completed 650 test landings at ground level in Poland, the US, and Dubai to build his confidence in landing on the helipad without any visual references.

“Normally, when approaching a runway, I can easily see how high above it I am and control the approach path. But today, the ground was 212 metres below, and the helipad disappeared over the nose of the plane, reducing my periphery. As my last few references disappeared, I had to rely on my practice and instincts to bring the plane to a stop before running out of space,” he said.

The world’s only seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel has a history of staging events, mostly around sports, to raise the adrenaline levels of viewers and visitors ever since Tiger Woods hit a routine tee shot from the green pad in 2004.

In 2005, two of tennis’ biggest legends, Roger Federer and Andre Agassi, played a match on a makeshift court on the landing area.

In 2013, former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard performed doughnuts to celebrate Red Bull Racing winning the Formula One Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships that season.

In 2019, professional BMX rider Kriss Kyle rode his bike off the edge of a helicopter and landed on the helipad in a few breathtaking moments.

Crime

UAE issues stark warning on price fixing: ‘It’s a crime’

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Price manipulation isn’t just unfair, it’s illegal in the UAE.

The UAE Public Prosecution has issued a strong warning to businesses, making it clear that inflating or fixing prices crosses the line into criminal activity, not clever strategy.

In a statement shared online, authorities reinforced that the UAE’s free-market system is built on fairness, transparency, and strict legal oversight. Any attempt to distort competition or exploit consumers is taken seriously and can carry legal consequences.

At the centre of this is Federal Decree-Law No. 36 of 2023, which bans monopolistic behaviour, price-fixing agreements, and the misuse of market dominance. The goal: keep markets open, competitive, and fair for everyone.

The Public Prosecution also highlighted its role in cracking down on economic crimes, working closely with other authorities to detect violations and protect consumers.

The message is simple: if you manipulate prices, you’re not just bending the rules — you’re breaking the law.

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Don’t drive away: New Sharjah campaign targets minor hit-and-run cases

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Motorists in Sharjah are being reminded to stay put after any accident, no matter how minor.

Sharjah Police has issued a fresh warning that leaving the scene of a collision, even a small scratch or low-speed bump, can lead to serious legal and financial consequences.

As part of a new awareness campaign, authorities stressed that every traffic accident must be reported, regardless of how insignificant it may seem. What some drivers consider a harmless parking lot scrape is officially treated as a hit-and-run if they drive away without reporting it.

The reminder comes as officials aim to clear up a common misunderstanding, many motorists assume minor incidents in residential areas or parking spaces don’t need to be reported. According to police, that’s simply not the case.

Under current traffic rules, leaving the scene of a minor accident can result in a Dh500 fine, eight black points on a driver’s record, and vehicle impoundment for seven days. Release fees can go up to Dh5,000, and repeated violations may even lead to licence suspension.

To drive the message home, police released an awareness video showing how quickly small accidents can happen in tight spaces like parking lots and narrow streets, and how easily they can turn into bigger legal issues when drivers fail to stop.

Authorities are urging motorists to stay at the scene, check on everyone involved, and report the incident through official channels, including the police app or by calling 901 for non-emergency situations.

In the end, officials emphasise that reporting an accident right away is the safest and simplest option, helping resolve matters quickly while avoiding penalties that can far outweigh the original incident.

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Education

Driving through school zones? Slow down say Abu Dhabi Police

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Authorities in Abu Dhabi are reminding motorists to exercise extra caution when driving near schools, highlighting the risks posed by distractions and heavy traffic during peak hours.

Abu Dhabi Police stressed the importance of staying fully focused on the road, particularly during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups, when congestion and pedestrian activity increase significantly.

Drivers have been advised to reduce speed, respect pedestrian crossings and come to a complete stop when school bus stop signs are displayed. Officials warned that using mobile phones or engaging in other distractions while driving can pose serious dangers to students and other road users.

Police also emphasised that road safety is a shared responsibility, calling on parents and the wider community to support safe driving practices and help create a secure environment around schools.

Authorities added that awareness and enforcement campaigns will continue as part of broader efforts to enhance road safety and community wellbeing across the emirate.


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