Press releases

MINSK, 20 June (BelTA) – Participants of the 2018 FAI World Helicopter Championship, which will be held at the Minsk Aeroclub from 24 to 29 July, will be taken on sightseeing tours around Belarus, spokeswoman for the Belarusian Aviation Sport Federation Alexandra Sadovnikova told BelTA.

“We are planning a sightseeing tour around Minsk, a tour out of city, most likely to Khatyn. There will be Belarusian dishes on the menu and traditional weaving and pottery crafts on the program of the closing ceremony,” Alexandra Sadovnikova noted.

According to her, the exact number of participants is still unknown: registration continues. Some 10-12 countries are expected to participate. Participation has already been confirmed by teams from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Austria, the UK, China, Belgium, and France. Pilots from the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Norway are expected to join the competition too. All in all, about 40 crews will compete for the title.

The competitions will feature 20 helicopters in such categories as slalom, cargo unloading, navigation and precision events, relays, and other disciplines. Among them there will be a Robinson 44, a light two-seater helicopter. “We do not have such helicopters in Belarus. It is the smallest and most maneuverable of all,” Alexandra Sadovnikova said.

Belarusian aviators, who clinched silver last year in Poland, will be among the 2018 hopefuls.

The organizer of the championship is the Belarusian Aviation Sport Federation. For Belarus it is not the first experience of hosting such competitions. Vitebsk DOSAAF Aero Club played host to the World Helicopter Championship in 1978.