Air sports

Air sports

A North American T-6 Texan at the Reno Air Races

Hang gliding in the Rhine Valley

Air sports encompass a variety of activities involving the use of aircraft for recreational or competitive purposes. These sports can be performed with or without engines and include a wide range of disciplines.

Types of Air Sports

Aerobatics

Aerobatics involves the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment, and sport.

Ballooning

Ballooning is the activity of flying hot air balloons. It is one of the oldest forms of air sports and involves navigating a balloon through the air using wind currents.

Paragliding

Paragliding is a recreational and competitive flying sport. A paraglider is a free-flying, foot-launched aircraft. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing.

Hang Gliding

Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light, non-motorized, foot-launched heavier-than-air aircraft called a hang glider.

Skydiving

Skydiving involves jumping from an aircraft and performing acrobatic maneuvers during freefall before deploying a parachute.

Gliding

Gliding is a recreational activity and competitive air sport in which pilots fly unpowered aircraft known as gliders or sailplanes using naturally occurring currents of rising air in the atmosphere to remain airborne.

Air Racing

Air racing is a sport involving airplanes racing around a course. The Reno Air Races are a well-known example of air racing events.

Safety in Air Sports

Safety is a critical aspect of all air sports. Participants must adhere to strict safety regulations and guidelines to minimize risks. Training and certification are often required to ensure that participants are competent and aware of the potential hazards.

Organizations

Several organizations govern and promote air sports worldwide. The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is the world governing body for air sports and aeronautical world records.

Related pages

• Aviation
• Extreme sports
• Fédération Aéronautique Internationale
• Reno Air Races

Gallery

• 
  A North American T-6 Texan at the Reno Air Races
• 
  Hang gliding in the Rhine Valley

Air sports

• 
  North American T-6 Texan race start at 2014 Reno Air Races
• 
  Air sports