The World Air Games, last held in Italy in 2009, will be held in Dubai this December, with an expanded calendar of events compared to prior games, according to organizers. The games, conducted by the Federation Aeronautique International, aim to showcase air sports to the public and attract new participants. Competitions will be held for parachutes, paragliders, hot-air balloons, gyrocopters, microlights, gliders, experimental aircraft, models and aerobatics. An air navigation race will be open to general aviation aircraft. More than 1,000 competitors, crew and officials are expected to participate in the event.
“The FAI World Air Games is an absolutely unique chance to show how exciting, interesting and beautiful our air sports are,” said FAI spokesman Markus Haggeney. “This is why it is crucial to have as many sports as possible included in the program.” Events will take place December 1 to 12 in several outdoor sites, including the Palm Jumeirah and Desert Campus drop zones of Skydive Dubai. An indoor competition will be held at the Dubai Mall for radio-controlled aerobatic powered model aircraft. Prior World Air Games were held in Spain in 2001 and Turkey in 1997.
