This fall, Figure 1 Foundation had the opportunity to be a sponsor of the 15th FAI Advanced Aerobatic Championship (WAAC2023) that made its mark in Jean (Las Vegas), Nevada. This was the first time in fifteen years that the event took place in America. With fifty-eight pilots hailing from seventeen nations, it became the USA’s largest international aerobatic contest ever hosted.
The championship spanned from October 24 to November 3, beginning with the opening briefing on Tuesday and concluding with a celebratory banquet on Friday evening. Despite two withdrawals before the competition commenced, the remaining fifty-six official competitors showcased their skills in the quest for the championship title.
Remarkably, over 1000 flights were conducted during practice sessions using two boxes, with no reported safety incidents or near misses. Flight operations seamlessly integrated with local parachute companies, and daily debriefs with Las Vegas air traffic control proved satisfactory.
For the finale, the French Pilot Tommy Douillard clinched the overall championship, edging out teammate Vladimir Gras by a mere 0.028 of a point. Romania's representative secured the third position, adding an extra layer of international flair to an already thrilling competition.