The World Aerobatic Championships are held every two years and bring together the best aerobatic pilots in the world. The Championships last 10 days as pilots battle it out for the top titles in air sport. Silverstone Circuit in Britain will host the 25th FAI World Aerobatic Championship in 2009. The event runs from 25th- 29th August.The Championships include two separate competitions, The 'Technical Championship' and the 'Freestyle Championship'. There are four rounds in the technical Championship, requiring pilots to fly a s
eries of aerobatic figures with precision and complex manoeuvres.Qualification Round - All pilots have to fly the same sequence of figures accurately, in the correct order, in the specified direction and in a small area of sky without stopping. A safe flight in this round qualifies the pilot to participate.
Round 1: Free Programme - A round in which pilots fly a sequence that he/she has composed him/herself. This programme is designed by each pilot to show his/her capabilities as well as that of the aircraft type.
Round 2 and 3: Unknown Programmes - Each pilot will then fly two 'unknown' sequences. These unknowns are are composed from figures submitted by the competing countries. Each nation tries to fox the other's pilot by choosing figures difficult to fly at the first attempt.
The Freestyle Championship - This flight is much more like airshows, very different and flown with smoke and music. Pilots perform their own routines for about three-and-a-half to four minutes, using any manoeuvres - anything goes! The only limit is the pilot's skill and imagination. Each performance is judged for technical and artistic merit.
The Russian Aerobatic team are training for this year's World Championships, over Sherburn-in helmet near Selby in North Yorkshire. The team are considered world leaders in the sport, and will be one of the highlights of the competition taking place in Northampton. Click on the video link shown below to watch them in action.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8198425.stm
