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 Introduction
to Artistic Aerobatics
Flying to music - A new aerobatics competition class made for spectators
and Media
During the last few years,
the FAI recognised the need for more spectators-friendly competition classes.
Competition that are attractive, exciting and of value to Media, especially
TV and Video channels. Action began in 1999 when the CIAM (International
Aero-Modelling Committee) decided new media-friendly competitions were
needed for the World Air Games, the big event for Air Sports in Olympic
Games format.
A working group was constituted to work on new competition rules. This
is how Artistic Aerobatics is born. Based on the IAM (International Air
Meet) format with a blend of World Grand Prix (previously known as the
Breitling Trophy) rules, two events where flying to music is the main
ingredient. Additional features were specifically designed to provide
additional appeal to Media. Also a unique feature is that Artistic Aerobatics
is meant for airplanes AND helicopters, although they do not directly
compete one against the other they share the same rules and the same procedures,
so that both classes can be flown at the same event.
The Working Group that designed the new competition was made of World-famous
pilots. Just to name a few, Christophe Paysant-Le Roux (France), Chip
Hyde (USA), Quique Somenzini (Argentina) ; Roland Matt (Liechtenstein),
Marco Benincasa (Italy) but also Curtis Youngblood (USA), Rüdiger
Feil (Germany), Javier Valdeomos (Spain) and Laurent Lombard (France)
are responsible for the rules.
The final draft was submitted to the FAI by Singapore and unanimously
approved during the March, 2001 CIAM Plenary session. It was agreed that,
in addition to being a FAI competition class, it will be the one flown
at the forthcoming World Air Games to take place in 2005, probably in
Slovenia, next to Austria and Italy.
The Basics
Artistic Aerobatics competitions
are split in two parts, the Preliminary and the competition proper. The
Preliminary event, while counting towards the final result, is merely
intended at providing a starting order for the following flights. The
Preliminary event is basically a short aerobatic schedule to be flown
in two minutes or less and is meant to take place in the morning or at
a time when spectators are few. The results provide the starting order
for the following round, the lowest placed flying first. This is a way
to provide sustained interest for spectators and ensure that the top pilots
fly within a reduced time frame, an absolute necessity when one wants
having Media involved. In addition, having pilots of similar level fly
in a row make it easier for the judges to be fair. The main competition
is strictly flying to music and is organised in rounds.
A round is made of two flights, the first one to a compulsory music (which
is changed every year) and the next one to a music chosen by the competitor
himself. Pilots must compose an aerobatics schedule suited to the music,
its rhythm, tempo and dynamics, with alternating periods of soft, graceful
manoeuvres and more dynamic and strong flying. Judging is made on artistic
quality as well as precision and compliance to the music. There must be
at least one Qualifying round , then the number of competitors is steadily
reduced through a possible second Qualifying round, Semi-Finals (at large
competitions only) and ending with a Final Round and a limited number
of pilots. After every round the starting order is changed so as to follow
the current classification.
While Qualifying flights are limited to two minutes of flying to music,
Semi-Finals call for three minutes flights and the climax, Finals flights
last four minutes.
- Relevant Link
: Artistic Aerobatics Yahoo eGroup, files
section. All relevant files, and music samples can be found here.
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