Châteauroux Welcomes the Pilots of the 28th FAI World Aerobatic Championship

Coming from all parts of the globe, the participants in the 28th FAI World Aerobatic Championship received a warm welcome by the population of Châteauroux, France, this afternoon. Crowds cheered the pilots as they paraded down the streets of the city until the main place, where more than 2000 people had gathered to greet them and attend the opening ceremony. Officials' speeches were followed by two spectacular passages of the French Air Force display team and an aerial dance show.

The competition started earlier today at the airfield with the first pilots flying the Known programme. The French team (below) who came back from the last World Championship in 2013 with no less than three titles in the men's, women's and teams categories are the favourites to win again this year, especially because they are "playing at home". However they will fight for victory against aerobatic stars such as Mickhail Mamistov and Svetlana Kapanina from Russia. Thus the French will have until Saturday 29 August to prove that they are still the best pilots in the world. On that day, the Freestyle programme will be flown, and a breath-taking air show will close the competition.

FAI President Dr. John Grubbström said about the event: "The long tradition of France in aerobatics is the best premise for a highly successful event, and I hope that the many exciting activities and side events that the organisers have prepared will enhance the understanding and promotion of air sports amongst the general public."

Follow the competition on the official website or Facebook page

(Photo credit: © FFA/Elodie Expert/Enpleinair.fr)