The 33rd FAI World Aerobatic Championship begins competition today at Mason City Municipal Airport in Iowa. More than 35 pilots from eight countries are expected to compete for individual and team titles through Sept. 2. Competitors represent France, Spain, Romania, Canada, Guatemala, Portugal, Brazil and the U.S.
Competition Begins
“We’re prepared, I’m feeling good,” U.S. team pilot Goody Thomas told local KTTC. “We’re ready to get going.”
Thomas said competitors have spent years preparing for the championship, which opened Sunday with a parade and ceremony in nearby Clear Lake.
“Everything that they see that you do that is a mistake, they take some points off,” Assistant Contest Director Lorrie Penner told KTTC.
Pilots fly individually inside a designated aerobatic box and are scored on the accuracy and quality of their maneuvers. Four flight programs are scheduled through Sept. 1, followed by the final freestyle competition Sept. 2.
Airport Remains Open
Mason City Municipal Airport will remain open to private and commercial traffic throughout the championship. According to the airport, an airboss will monitor the CTAF and may direct arriving or departing aircraft to hold or remain clear of the aerobatic box while it is active. Touch-and-go operations will not be available during the event, and pilots planning to fly in are advised to contact the FBO in advance because ramp space may be limited.
Many international aerobatic competitors transported their aircraft to Iowa by cargo ship. The airplanes were partially disassembled and packed into shipping containers before being transported to Mason City, where crews reassembled, inspected and test-flew them ahead of the competition.
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