What’s known as the Olympics of aerobatics is underway over northern Iowa’s Cerro Gordo County. The 33rd FAI World Aerobatic Championships are underway with more than 30 of the world’s top aerobatics pilots representing nations from around the globe. They’re taking part in what’s billed as the premier event in competitive flying. At the opening ceremonies Sunday night in Clear Lake, contest director Wayne Forbes said the Mason City area is very welcoming.
It was announced about three months ago that the event was relocating from Batavia, New York to the Mason City Municipal Airport. FAI Aerobatics Commission president Tamas Abranyi of Hungary says while the competition was in doubt, many people stepped up.
Abranyi says the competition is important to the success of the organization.
It’s typically an 18-month planning process to host the championships, but Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce CEO Stacy Doughan says local organizers met the challenge.
Mason City Mayor John Lee hopes it will be a memorable competition for those involved and for those who will be watching.
The competition runs through September 2nd. It’s only the fifth time the United States is hosting the World Aerobatic Championships, with previous competitions being held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1980, Oklahoma City in 1996, Lakeland, Florida in 2003, and North Texas in 2013.
