One of the major appointments for paragliding lovers in Spain, the International Air Festival (FIA), will be back on July 3 to 6 at the foot of the emblematic mountain of El Yelmo in the Sierra of Segura, province of Jaen. Like in its previous editions, this great celebration of the aerial sports and activities developed in the air will have plenty of spectacles, by outstanding acrobats and flying teams of first level. Some of the highlights of the program are the paramotor night show of lights and fantasy by Paraddax (also known as “European Paramotor Team”); the return of the paragliding acro team SAT, formed by world champions of this discipline who perform the most radical manoeuvres; the Red Bull BASE jump team and the squad of parachutists of the Army, or the acrobatic airplanes of the RACE (Royal Air Club of Spain) carving the sky at full speed.

Among the new activities for this ninth edition, the Festival organizes a special endurance competition of mountain and paragliding, in which the pilot-athletes will have to make their way on foot to the takeoff of El Yelmo carrying their flying gear, to then fly down to the goal at the Festival premises. Also new is the 1st Paramotor Open of Freestyle, with impressive ground-skimming tasks at high speed that can be observed by the public. This is a qualifying competition for the World Air Games of Turin 2009.

Born in 1999 as Air Cinema Festival, El Yelmo keeps this section dedicated to the latest productions related to air activities, so it is a great place to learn about ground-breaking feats, epic trips in the lightest aircrafts or aerial adventures in the most remote corners of the world, through the films in competition coming from different countries. The films will be projected every night on the main stage of the FIA and in the Cinema by day, inside the air-conditioned Fair. Registration is still open for filmmakers who want to submit their works to the contest.

For pilots and companions looking for new sensations, there will be tandem flights in paragliders and helicopter rides in the area, games and workshops for the children, and astronomical observations from the mountain every night. At night, the celebration or ‘fiesta’ of the Air will continue with batucadas (Brazilian and Africa rythms), DJs sessions and concerts by well known Spanish bands. The objective of El Yelmo Festival is that all the participants enjoy the most playful and visual side of flying in a fun weekend for both aficionados and those who feel curious about this activity.

Source: 9th International Air Festival of El Yelmo
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