01/11/2001 | Posted by Mike at 11:17 AM
This column is one of the most difficult I have had to write --- simply because the many events of the past few months in the aerobatics world and our world as a whole have been so significant. Where to begin?
World Air Games
During June 2001, the World Air Games were conducted in Spain and the CIVA events were an important part of the Games. In Burgos, the XXI World Aerobatic Championships were held under the direction of Luis Cabre. The event was a huge success and participants were very satisfied with its organization and outcome. Burgos was an old Spanish Air Force base built during their civil war and it was perfect for a WAC contest site. Luis provided strong and decisive leadership for the event but was also assisted --- as we all are --- by outstanding volunteers. I wrote Daily Reports from the contest site which can still be viewed on the FAI website.
In those Daily Reports, I failed to mention the good work of the starting team: radio controller was Clemente Ros. Chief Starter was Javier Aranduy. Starters included Marc Pellò, Paul, Juan Socias, and Juan Velarde. My apologies for not recognizing these gentlemen before. In addition, my special thanks to Smara Iglesias and her team of office workers who carried out their duties so well.
The judging took place under the direction of our veteran Chief Judge, John Gaillard of South Africa. WAC 2001 was the first competition where the new "International Judging Corps" concept was utilized. I have discussed this in previous columns. Several of the judges were selected by the Bureau of CIVA and were paid stipends for their work from our sanction fees account. Since the sanction fees come from pilot entry fees, it could be said that the pilots were paying for the best judges we could provide. Judges were selected based on their experience and judge performance ratings at past championships. It worked quite well and will be continued at the AWAC in 2002 in Slovenia. My goal is to separate judges from teams --- where they have never belonged, in my view --- and to establish judges as independent and international officials once and for all.
The end result --- the naming of Mikhail Mamistov as the new World Aerobatic Champion and winner of the Aresti Cup --- was widely acclaimed as the correct one. Mikhail's performance was consistent and superb. New Women's World Champion is Svetlana Kapanina, who won the title for the first time in aerobatic history. Another outstanding achievement. My congratulations to all the winners. Be sure to visit the FAI website for all of the results and details.
A World Glider Aerobatic Championships was also held in Palma Del Rio during the Games. Without going into too much detail here, let me just state that the event was disappointing. There were numerous organization problems with the event, despite the hard work of Jaime Julve, Contest Director; Karl Berger, head of the International Jury and the CIVA Liaison Officer for the event; and Mady Delcroix and Manfred Echter, our event experts there. All of them did everything possible to make the event a success but were stymied by local problems and failures of people to deliver on their promises. Let me just pledge to the aerobatic community that we will do everything we can to see that this does not happen again. I am quite sure that the EGAC in Germany next year as well as the WGAC in Hungary in 2003 will be characterized by excellent organization --- as these countries have long traditions in glider aerobatics.
For the future? FAI has made the commitment to continue the World Air Games in 2005. The event site has not been chosen and bids will be accepted soon. CIVA will support the event to our full capacity as always --- and I know I will be counting on the same small group of people, all of whom have become good friends, in helping to see this event become a success as well. The Games are important to the future of air sports --- they provide a way for us to show the world and the media what air sports are all about, all in one country at the same time. Our future depends on the Games' success.
Advanced Category
The Advanced World Aerobatic Championships --- first held in Cape Town, South Africa in 1995 --- has become a very important event to our future and to the involvement of more pilots in FAI aerobatic competition. The event has grown steadily since that first year. European Advanced Championships have now been held twice --- in Slovenia in 1998 and Hungary in 2001. Sweden is interested in hosting one in 2003. Of course, we will all return to Murska Sobota, Slovenia in 2002 for the 5th AWAC.
Prior to the CIVA meeting in Prague in November, we held an informal discussion and planning session on several issues. One of these was Advanced. I can say with certainty that most everyone had strong feelings about the future of this category and all agree that it must continue, grow, and prosper. The general consensus at that meeting was restrictions on aircraft must continue. During the plenary session, CIVA also decided to remove the CAP 231 and Extra 260 from the approved list --- these had been approved on a temporary basis for this year only. Thus, I expect these discussions will continue but let me report something I think is important for all competitors in this category and those who are thinking about it --- CIVA will provide stability to the aircraft list. This is important for everyone's planning and aircraft purchasing. Therefore, I fully expect that when a new aircraft is approved, it will not be for the following year but rather at least two years down the road. This is only fair.
Will the approval process continue yearly ? The answer is yes, if CIVA receives proposals for additions. Will it continue to be difficult and fraught with controversy? I believe it will but sometimes political processes are not easy and everyone must realize that this is indeed an international program with each country involved having its own priorities, difficulties, and unique situations. This is why each aircraft approval must be dealt with one by one. I am committed to the growth of Advanced and the involvement of new pilots in FAI competition --- it is one of the reasons we exist. But I also am cautious about too many changes at this point and am worried that if we are not careful, the category could be destroyed. I ask everyone to please present your views to your national delegates and to also sign up for the CIVA Discussions list --- see the FAI website for this --- where messages can be exchanged between the nearly 200 people who are on that list already and which includes all of the delegates to CIVA.
Prague
Just a few days ago, CIVA held a quite successful meeting in Prague. We managed to finish it all in one day --- 10 November. Results of that meeting are available on this website. Rules changes are not significant this year, as you will see from the document summarizing the CIVA actions, but a new group of Family 1 figures have been added to the catalogue and new numbers have been assigned some of the old ones.
Let me mention one thing, however, which did come out of this meeting as a result of a proposal from Spain. CIVA agreed to include the name of Jose L. Aresti in the Catalogue. It will now be called the "FAI Aresti Aerobatic Catalogue" and tribute is paid on the cover of the book to the many years of work this man did to create the aerocryptographic system which became the basis of classical aerobatic competition. It was first introduced into aerobatic competition in 1964 and his system was used until 1988 when the present Catalogue was published. However, his work must not go unrecognized and it is appropriate that the Catalogue be named after him. My congratulations and thanks to Mr. Aresti, who resides in Madrid.
Incidentally, the Aresti Cup which he donated to FAI almost four decades ago, is currently undergoing restoration in Spain. It will return to the scene in 2003 in its full beauty. I am pleased that the Spanish agreed to undertake this important work as the trophy had deteriorated through the years due to shipping and handling. Some parts are missing and will be restored. Be sure to see the Trophies section of this website for photos of the trophy and listing of the winners.
Finally
Lastly, the events of September 11th. Let me say very firmly that air sports will continue and grow despite the attacks of that day which resulted in the deaths of people from some 80 nations. The FAI and CIVA are committed to this. All Championships scheduled for 2002 will continue.
I think we should all remember that one of the greatest benefits of air sports is how it brings people together from all over the world and how our events promote international understanding and goodwill. I find it interesting to note that many of the nations who participate in world aerobatic competitions are also allied in the coalition against terrorism --- we understand the threat to freedom and how international cooperation, trade, and exchange of ideas can promote peace.
Since I am an American as well as an airline pilot, these events had special meaning to me. Let me thank everyone in CIVA who sent messages of condolence to me, on behalf of their countries, and to express their solidarity. It meant a lot to me. Thank you.
Mike HEUER
CIVA President
