Air sports facts for kids

Air sports are exciting activities that take place in the sky! They involve many different ways of flying. From soaring silently like a bird to racing through the air at top speeds, air sports offer a thrill. People who love adventure and being high above the ground often enjoy these activities.

What are Air Sports?

The term air sports includes a wide range of activities that happen in the air. These sports combine skill, courage, and a love for flight. They can be competitive or just for fun.

Types of Air Sports

Here are some popular air sports:

• Aerobatics: This involves performing amazing tricks and stunts in an aircraft. Pilots do loops, rolls, and other complex moves.
• Air Rallies: These are flying competitions where pilots follow a set course. They must navigate accurately and on time.
• Aeromodelling: This is about flying model aircraft. People build and control small planes, helicopters, or drones.
• Air Racing: Pilots race against each other in aircraft. The goal is to finish a course faster than anyone else.
• Ballooning: This involves flying in a large hot air balloon. It's a peaceful way to see the world from above.
• Drone Racing: Pilots control high-speed drones through a special course. It is a fast-growing and exciting sport.
• General Aviation: This covers all non-airline flying. It includes private flights, training, and recreational flying.
• Gliding: Gliding uses aircraft called gliders or sailplanes. These planes have no engine and use air currents to stay aloft.
• Hang Gliding: A pilot flies a lightweight, non-motorized aircraft called a hang glider. They launch from high places and soar.
• Human Powered Aircraft: These are aircraft that use only human muscle power to fly. They are often very light and delicate.
• Parachuting: This is jumping from an aircraft with a parachute. The parachute slows the fall, allowing a safe landing.
• Paragliding: A pilot sits in a harness below a fabric wing. They launch from hillsides and glide through the air.
• Power Kites: These are large kites used to pull people or vehicles. They can be used for sports like kiteboarding.

Who Manages Air Sports?

Most of the air sports listed above are managed by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). This is the world governing body for air sports. It sets rules and records for many flying activities.

At a national level, aero clubs help manage air sports. Examples include the National Aeronautics Association in the USA and the Royal Aero Club in the UK. The FAI website lists many of these national groups. Some lighter aircraft, like very small planes, are sometimes called Ultralight aviation.

Other Aerial Activities

Some aerial activities are not governed by FAI rules. These include:

• Wingsuit Flying: People wear special suits that add surface area. This lets them glide through the air after jumping from high places.
• Rocket Racing League: This was an effort to create a new sport. It involved racing small rockets around a course.

Images for kids

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  Hang gliding

See also

In Spanish: Deportes aeronáuticos para niños