Press releases

MINSK, 24 July (BelTA) – The official opening ceremony of the 16^th FAI World Helicopter Championship will take place at the Lipki airfield of the Minsk aeroclub at 17.00 on 24 July, BelTA learned from the FOSAAF press service.

The championship is organized by the Volunteer Society for Cooperation with the Army, Aviation, and Navy (DOSAAF) and the Belarusian Aviation Sports Federation. “The official opening will feature the performance of the air display team of the Belarusian national team on Yak-55 of the Mogilev aeroclub. The program of the festival will include a concert of the academic song and dance ensemble of the Armed Forces of Belarus, an exhibition of aircraft, including the unique Po-2, the only flying replica of the legendary aircraft in the country. Head of the Minsk DOSAAF aeroclub Nikolai Mochansky has undergone a special training course and will pilot the aircraft at the final stage of the championship,” the press service informed.

Taking part in the competitions will take part about 36 crews from different countries. Russia has deployed its 13 crews. Pilots from Poland, Austria, Germany, China and Ukraine will also compete for medals. The Belarusian national team will feature masters of sports of international class Andrei Rogonov, Vladimir Bugayev, Nikita Laptev, Vladimir Striyenok, Anton Danchenko, Alexander Grishchenko, and Aleksei Mochansky. The women's team is represented by two crews. The commander of the first crew is Sofia Kurshubadze, the pilot-operator is Anastasia Korotkevich. The commander of the second crew is Anna Rogozhinskaya, the pilot-operator is Marina Konyushevskaya. The team represents the crews of the Vitebsk and Minsk DOSAAF aeroclubs and also the Aviation Sports Federation. “The training camp at the Borovaya airfield was a success. The Belarusian national team is ready for the championship,” the DOSAAF said.

The main competitions will be held at the Borovaya airfield. Participants will compete in four exercises: Navigation, Precision Flying, Fender Rigging and Slalom. National teams will perform on Mi-2 and Robinson-44 helicopters.

The annual aviation festival # PRONEBO will be held as part of the championship on 28-29 July 28-29. Visitors will see more than 30 aircraft, including balloons to airplanes. Helicopter racing will be one of the most spectacular events of the festival.