World Aerobatic Championship opens at Mason City, Iowa

The 33rd FAI World Aerobatic Championship opened at Mason City Municipal Airport in Iowa. More than 35 pilots from eight countries are competing for individual and team titles.

Competitors represent France, Spain, Romania, Canada, Guatemala, Portugal, Brazil and the United States. The event began Sunday with a parade and ceremony in nearby Clear Lake before flying competition started.

U.S. team pilot Goody Thomas told local broadcaster KTTC that competitors felt ready after years of preparation. Assistant Contest Director Lorrie Penner said judges deduct points for any visible errors in a pilot's routine. Pilots fly solo within a marked aerobatic box, and scores are based on the precision and quality of their maneuvers. Four flight programs are scheduled through Sept. 1, followed by a freestyle final on Sept. 2.

Mason City Municipal Airport is staying open to private and commercial traffic during the championship. According to the airport, an airboss will monitor the common traffic frequency and may direct arriving or departing aircraft to hold clear of the aerobatic box when it is in use. Touch-and-go landings will not be available for the duration of the event. Visiting pilots have been advised to contact the fixed-base operator ahead of time because of limited ramp space.

Many of the international competitors shipped their aircraft to Iowa by sea, partially disassembling them for container transport. Once in Mason City, ground crews reassembled, inspected and test-flew the planes before competition began.