2026 World Aerobatic Championship to be held in Iowa!

midwestpa24

midwestpa24

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Its been announced that the 2026 World Aerobatic Championship will be held at MCW, Mason City, Iowa.

2026wac.com

Home - 33rd FAI World Aerobatic Championship

Welcome to the 33rd FAI World Aerobatic Championship The 33rd FAI World Aerobatic Championship (“WAC 2026”) is in Mason City, Iowa (KMCW). The contest dates are August 24 – September 2, 2026 Follow all the action on our YouTube live stream starting August 24th! Enjoy video coverage of every...
2026wac.com 2026wac.com
 
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It was originally planned for Batavia NY but that apparently was a debacle. Does not bode well for future WACs in the US. Having them in Europe is a major challenge for US pilots because they have to ship their aircraft.
www.thedailynewsonline.com

World aerobatic event flies away from Batavia; now slated for Mason City, Iowa

Several reasons not connected to the Genesee County Airport itself led to the grounding of the 33rd FAI World Aerobatic Championships that were scheduled for Aug. 24-Sept. 2 at the
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Kinda surprised they didn't go with Salina, Kansas. That has been the site of the US championships for several years so it is a well developed site.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Kinda surprised they didn't go with Salina, Kansas. That has been the site of the US championships for several years so it is a well developed site.
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Mason City hosted the Midwest Attitude Adjustment IAC Regional last year and is scheduled to hold it again, the weekend before WAC. So it is newer to the world of competition aerobatics, but growing.
 
Bulletin #2 and a list of competitors has been updated on the WAC website. MCW and the US Team are hoping to make this one of the best WAC ever.

Teams - 33rd FAI World Aerobatic Championship

Bulletins • Airport Info • FAQs Bulletin 1 Bulletin 2 Airport Info Weather Analysis Frequently Asked Questions Q: How do I register for the contest?A: Fill out and submit the registration form, then follow the instructions on the payment page. Q: Will we be able to select a registration option...
2026wac.com 2026wac.com

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Mason City Municipal Airport | Clear Lake IA

Mason City Municipal Airport, Clear Lake. 5,493 likes · 2,499 talking about this · 5,019 were here. The official Facebook page for the Mason City Municipal Airport, North Iowa's Gateway to the World!
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2026 World Aerobatic Championships

2026 World Aerobatic Championships. 1,190 likes · 560 talking about this. Official page of the 2026 World Aerobatic Championships hosted in Mason City, Iowa the USA from August 24th through September...
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It’s only a 35 minute drive from home !!, I took my ground schooling and first flight there (many years ago)! I’ve seen the contender from Algona IA practicing many times, if his flying is an indicator of what the competitors will be bringing, it will be one heck of a show!
 
Awesome news. Iowa is a great choice for this….really looking forward to seeing the world's best put on a show there. Definitely marking the calendar for this one
 
I have heard that the freestyle competition is on sept. 2nd, I plan on being there to witness some of the greatest “stick and rudder” performances the world has to offer.
 
Flatiowa said:
I have heard that the freestyle competition is on sept. 2nd, I plan on being there to witness some of the greatest “stick and rudder” performances the world has to offer.
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Yup, 4 minute freestyle is when they throw the rules out the window and fly to impress. That's a bit of hyperbole, but you will certainly be watching the best pilots in the world flying the best routine they can come up with.
 
Programmes 1-4 have been completed and the results tallied. Team France dominated and will take home the gold. Team USA edged out Team Romania to take home Silver, with Romania getting the Bronze. Tomorrow is the final Programme 5, the Freestyle event. 11 pilots will get 4 minutes each to wow the crowds and judges.

Everything I've heard is that this WAC has been the best one ever. Best venue, best hospitality, and best welcoming from the community as a whole!


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Say more about France dominating. The point totals are pretty close. Is this just one of those things where everyone is so good that all scoring is elite, but that 79.3 versus 77.1 is a slam dunk rather than barely beating someone, and the US doesn't hold a candle to that french team?
 
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172andyou said:
Say more about France dominating. The point totals are pretty close. Is this just one of those things where everyone is so good that all scoring is elite, but that 79.3 versus 77.1 is a slam dunk rather than barely beating and the US doesn't hold a candle to that french team?
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France has dominated for quite a while. Their team is sponsored by their Air Force and some of their top pilots are military officers paid to compete. The US team are all individuals paying their own way and earning a living however they can.


The US team was obviously hurt by the loss of Rob Holland. OTOH his long dominance may have suppressed the emergence of other US pilots at the top level.

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Ed Haywood said:
France has dominated for quite a while. Their team is sponsored by their Air Force and some of their top pilots are military officers paid to compete. The US team are all individuals paying their own way and earning a living however they can.


The US team was obviously hurt by the loss of Rob Holland. OTOH his long dominance may have suppressed the emergence of other US pilots at the top level.

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That helps, thanks.

I knew Rob was a legend, but that's insane.
 
172andyou said:
That helps, thanks.
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Here is a list of the winning team for the last 20 years:

2026 France
2024 France
2022 France
2019 France
2017 France
2015 France
2013 France
2011 Russia
2009 France
2007 France
2005 Russia
2003 Russia
2001 Russia
2000 France
1998 Russia
1996 Russia
1994 France
 
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