Flight Athletes Compete in World Air Games

Turin, Italy -- June 10, 2009 — “If you can fly with it, you can compete with it.” That statement is the reason behind the Federation Aeronautique Internationale World Air Games, which are on now through June 14 in Turin. More than 300 of the best airsport athletes from around the world were invited to participate in 21 separate events such as glider racing, microlight pylon racing, ballooning, parachuting, helicopter events, paragliding aerobatics and much more. Jason Stephens, 35, of Gilbert, Arizona is one of 17 Americans competing in the FAI World Air Games. A glider pilot, Stephens will demonstrate aerobatic maneuvers such as loops, rolls, tailsides and hammerheads while managing the unpowered aircraft's energy. Other Americans are competing in parachuting – canopy piloting, glider racing, microlight pylon racing, parachuting landing accuracy, experimental aircraft – world record attempts, aeromodeling – hand-thrown gliders, and other categories. Before he left, Stephens told the Arizona Republic he was nervous. That's despite his 19 years of glider aerobatics, his three national championships and his experience instructing scores of people at his glider-flying school in Arizona. "Since I was a kid, all I could think about was flying through the air," he said. "There's freedom from gravity and the confines of your body. There's nothing else like it when you're cruising around." In Turin, Stephens said he must adjust to new conditions, and he will approach them the same way he meets other challenges. "Any good pilot has certain perfectionist tendencies," he said. "I want to do certain things perfectly. I like the challenge of trying to be the best." After the first round, Stephens was in 9th place. For the latest news on the games and results, click here.

Balloons in typical target alignment. Photo credit: Federation Aeronautique Internationale Jason Stephens, 35, of Gilbert, Arizona is completing is the World Air Games, doing aerobatics in a glider. Photo credit: Federation Aeronautique Internationale American Greg Windmiller is competing in parachuting – canopy piloting at the World Air Games. Photo credit: Federation Aeronautique Internationale

• 2009 - 11/06 - Air France Takes Delivery of First A380
• 2009 - 10/30 - Weather Hampers 9th Crane Migration
• 2009 - 10/29 - NASA - Theres an App For That
• 2009 - 10/29 - Maple Tree Copters Inspire Students
• 2009 - 10/27 - Record-setting Young Eagle