Pilots officially start to compete for world title
Pilots competing in the 2017 Unlimited World Aerobatic Championships (WAC) and their supporters were treated to a taste of South African culture during the official opening at the Crocodile Lapa on Saturday evening.
For the past few weeks, the TSB Airfield and two other locations near Malalane and KaMhlushwa were used as practice grounds, but pilots finally had their chance to start impressing the judges on Sunday morning.
Pilots, their supporters and officials gathered at the Crocodile Lapa near Malalane on Saturday evening to officially kick off proceedings.
A local cultural group provided the opening ceremony’s entertainment with marimba music, traditional singing and dancing.
Smartphones and cameras captured every moment of the cultural performance, with a few of the guests joining in the exuberant dancing.
Judges and other officials led a procession to introduce the teams, who proudly bore their country’s flag.
SA pilot Nigel Hopkins read the creed of sport aviation controlling body, Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), after its anthem was played and flag unfurled.
He also welcomed the visitors and thanked everyone present for their support after a serious flying incident in 2015 while training for the previous championships.
“It’s the people who are here who have brought me back. It’s the passion for flying that we all share. Thank you for giving me the courage to come back. Fly safe and have a good competition,” he said.
Head judge and president of the Commission Internationale Voltige Aerienne, Nick Buckingham, then officially declared the championships open.
He told the attendees that the WAC was first held in 1960, with nine countries and 29 pilots involved. There has been a world aerobatic championship every other year since.
“Here tonight, I can truthfully say, are the best aerobatic pilots in the world. It will be a great pleasure for the judging panel to watch and judge,” he said.
READ: World’s best aerobats to compete in Malalane
The last WAC was held in France in 2015 and was a huge success. The current world champion is Alexandre Orlowski of France. “Maybe you can do it again if you try, but there will be a number of people trying very hard to stop you,” Buckingham joked.
The first flights took off on Sunday morning and pilots will be competing from around 09:00 to 17:30 or 20:00 until Friday. The last competition flights will take place on Sunday from 10:30 to 15:00, with a public medal ceremony at 15:00.
A special area for spectators has been cleared next to the TSB Airfield, and parking and entrance is free.
Spectators can bring their chairs, blankets, binoculars and picnic baskets and also browse the stalls that will be set up on Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, visit www.wac2017.co.za.
READ about the SA Aerobatics Championships that took place earlier this year, here.
