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Aviation Competition Events Are Rare in Region
Almost every weekend in the summer you can drive somewhere within 100 miles of St. Louis and see some type of air show or fly-in or airport open house. What you won't normally see anywhere in the area is any kind of aviation competition. The exception to that rule is the Chute-Out on the Prairie World Powered Parachute Competition held in Greenville, IL.
One of the main reasons that aviation competitions are not that common is that in most cases there is very little for the public to see at one. An air show is popular because each pilot performer can repeat a practiced routine in an acrobatic "box" centered in front of the spectators. Fly-Ins are easy to organize because you attract a number of different airplanes that remain parked on the ground most of the time for people to walk around and look at. But if a number of planes have a race, that race cannot be held on a tight track like the Indy 500. Instead the race could take hundreds of miles, most of those miles well away from the interested spectators.
That all changes in the world of powered parachutes. Powered parachutes have speeds that are far greater than hot air balloons, but far less than conventional fixed wing aircraft. As Goldilocks might say, "Their speed is just right!"
Just as important, the powered parachute competition in Greenville does not focus on speed, but rather focuses on pilot skill at low altitude precision maneuvers. Many of those maneuvers involve landing as close as possible to marks on the field. Other measured maneuvers include taxing the machine with the parachute inflated and overhead through a pylon course, flying through ribbon cutting obstacles, and a favorite, the Dead Stick Landing. The Dead Stick Landing (or as it is officially called, "The Engine Out Landing") involves having the pilot of the machine shut the engine off at an altitude of 300-500 feet and glide to a target spot on the field. The skill that many of the pilots show in this precision event is amazing.
Best of all, the action takes place right in front of the spectators. People can come out to the Greenville Airport and watch the machines compete head-to-head. And compete they will! Grand prize is a Powrachute powered parachute valued at over $17,000!
The next World Powered Parachute Championship will be held in Greenville on the 11-14 of August 2005. You can learn more about the event at www.chute-out.com. Or for more information contact Roy Beisswenger at (618) 664-9706.
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