The 2014 FAI World Advanced Aerobatic Championships is now underway in Dubnica nad Vahom, Slovakia which is located in western Slovakia. IAC members and Team USA pilots are here after practicing in Most, Czech Republic for several days. Competing are Marty Flournoy (MX-2), Mark Fullerton (MX-2), Craig Gifford (Panzl S-330), Matt Lane (Yak 55M), and Mark Nowosielski (MX-2). The team arrived in Slovakia on Tuesday, August 5th and had a chance to get practice in the contest box during the next two days. Team coach Nikolay Timofeev is also providing warm-up flights for the Judges in the Panzl S-330.
Altogether, 66 pilots from 17 countries are competing in what is FAI's largest World Aerobatic Championships. Advanced category has become enormously popular in recent years.
The contest is being directed by Vladimir Machula of the Czech Republic and Chief Judge is John Gaillard of South Africa. IAC President Mike Heuer is serving as head of the International Jury. On the judging line, Bill Denton, an IAC and Chapter 24 member from Texas, is serving as a Judge with Peggy Riedinger from the Seattle area as his Assistant. Peggy was able to put a trip to Slovakia together at the last moment when Assistant Bruce Ballew had to cancel due to family commitments.
As this is being written, the contest has been stopped for the day due to rain but we expect flying to resume tomorrow. Watch this website for further reports as the contest progresses. The first IAC member and US Team pilot in the box for the Known will be Matt Lane, who drew the 5th position in the sequence.
Results can also be found at https://www.civa-results.com.
