CIAM Flyer (04-2012) - Quiet Flights over Land

AEROSTATS are lighter than air models. We have two main types of aerostats: Hot air balloons and Airships. Airships obtain their sustentation from gas (or from hot air), have propulsion units and can be directed.

Next, we have three types of airships:

1. Blimps have an inflatable envelope and their shape is obtain by the pressure of the gas inside the envelope. Blimps are the most common airship models and the easiest to build
2. Hot air airships obtain their lift from hot air produced in an inflatable envelope
3. Rigid airships have a covered rigid structure and contain inflatable gas balloons.

Download the full content of the latest CIAM Flyer (04-2012) - Quiet Flights over Land in PDF format !

• Current and past issues of the CIAM Flyer can be downloaded on the CIAM Flyer web page

Formation Skydiving & Artistic Events in Prostejov, Czech Republic: 27 Aug - 2 Sept 2012

The competition starts in a few days! Check out the invitation video!

2012 FAI World Championship for Soaring Model Aircraft

See the pictures of this competition won by Benedikt Feigl (GER) and Carlo Gallizia (ITA)

Paragliding Accuracy marks the spot in Cali, Colombia

The Paragliding Accuracy Test Event of the World Games in Cali, Colombia is underway. The competition, being held at the Marco Fidel Suarez Air Force base, provides a venue convenient for winch-launching and for spectators, close to Colombia’s ‘Salsa City’. It is being run in parallel with Parachuting Canopy Piloting.

The venue has been months in preparation, with the construction of a swoop pond for the parachutists, measuring 25m x 65m. The Paragliding Accuracy target is located close by, so that the landing areas of both disciplines are immediately in front of spectator stands. Although this year’s Test Events are low key affairs, next year, these airsports events are expected to attract huge crowds from the local population as well as internationally.

Two rounds each of paragliding accuracy and parachuting canopy piloting have been completed on the first full day of the competition.

The inclusion of Paragliding Accuracy in the Cali World Games has given a tremendous boost to the discipline in Colombia. Recent local FAI Cat 2 competitions have produced a field of 20 Colombian pilots competing this week. There is international representation, with pilots from Czech Republic and United Kingdom. Next year, 36 of the world’s top paragliding accuracy pilots will be selected and invited to participate.

The World Games

Paragliding Accuracy and Parachuting Canopy Piloting represent the only two airsports taking part in the 2013 edition of The World Games. A diverse range of some 30 non-Olympic sports are featured, including rugby, orienteering, fistball and Squash, acrobatic gymnastics, sumo wrestling and fin swimming. Some 4000 athletes from 120 countries are expected to compete. See: http://www.theworldgames.org/the-sports/sports

Test events for this multi-sport extravaganza are taking place throughout this year, and will all be played out at the same time next year from 25 July to 4 August.

Pic caption: Andy Shaw (GBR) scores in the first round of the Paragliding Accuracy World Games Test Event. Note the parachuting ‘swoop pond’ just behind.

2013 FAI Young Artists Contest: "My Favourite Airsports"

Get a chance to win a gold, silver or bronze medal !

Like every year, the 2013 Young Artists Contest gives the opportunity for budding artists to express themselves artistically about a subject related to aviation. The contest is divided in three age categories (6-9, 10-13, 14-17 years old).

This year, the theme for the contest is "My Favourite Airsports".

Read more...

FAI Aerobatics Youtube Channel

Discover our channel which includes the videos of the 3rd FAI World YAK 52 Aerobatic Championship in Bolshoe Gryzlovo, Russia.

3rd FAI World YAK 52 Aerobatic Championship in Bolshoe Gryzlovo, Russia

Baumgartner breaks the Maximum Vertical Speed World Record

Felix Baumgartner has been recognised today by the FAI for breaking the Maximum Vertical Speed World Record without a drogue or stabilization device.

Baumgartner on the day of the world record
© Jörg Mitter/Red Bull Content Pool

The 43 year old Austrian Baumgartner was carried high up in the sky by a pressurised capsule attached to a helium balloon. Wearing a specially designed suit, he exited the capsule at an altitude of 21’818 meters (71'581 feet) and achieved a jump during which he reached the staggering record speed of 587 km per hour.

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3rd FAI European Paragliding Accuracy Championship - Ohrid, MKD

The 3rd FAI European Paragliding Accuracy Championship came to an end last July the 8th. Were crowned...

Overall: 1- Dimitar Ralev, Bulgaria; 2- Goran Gjurkovic, Serbia; 3- Matjaz Sluga, Slovenia.

Women: Milica Marinkovic, Serbia; 2- Jolanta Romanenko, Lithuania; Barbora Smutna, Czech Republic.

Nations: 1- Slovenia; 2- Czech Republic; 3- Serbia.

Check the competition website here. 

See here all the pictures of the competition, including the prize-giving ceremony !

2012 LUXGSM - World Balloon Trophy - Echternach, Luxemburg

Check out the pictures of the competition on Flickr !

Maxim Sotnikov (RUS): Helicopter Pilot

Although Maxim Sotnikov learned to fly helicopters only 6 years ago, he is already one of the world’s best pilots and will be one to watch at the 14th FAI World Helicopter Championship that will take place at Drakino Airfield, Russia, from 22 to 26 August 2012.

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