Considering aviation as a sporting activity could question us because air transport evolved so much and hide the individual feats of the first pilots.
However, sport can be defined as all physical exercises that require skill or strength. Moreover, it is practiced individually or collectively a usually gives rise to competitions by observing detailed rules.
As we’ll see, these criteria define the practice of general aviation.
1- Competitions
At the beginning of the XXth century, aviation emerged.
Notably trough the exploits of the first pilots, it was perceived as an athletic activity. Competition requiring trained bodies were organized. Pioneer established records. Pilots were celebrated as sporting heroes. The press, especially, in particular, in publications as Flight or La Vie au Grand Air, played a key role in the aviation promotion as a sport. It covered competitions, records and the aviators’ achievement, helping to forge a sporting image for aviation.
Today, amateur competitions continue to be a way for pilots to develop their skills and to promote their sport. Furthermore, with competition pilots reinforce community spirit in flying clubs..
2 – Skill
Events such as the cross-Channel by Louis Blériot or the first air meetings are some examples. Performances was measured and compared, just like in others sports.
Pilots must acquire and assimilate technical skills (enabling them to master the aircraft and the environment. In addition, psychological abilities are essentials like communication, stress-management, teamwork while keeping calm and concentration.
The air sport is part of a culture where courage and surpassing oneself and seeking enhance performance are valued.
Pilots are mostly athletic, and their aviation practice is seen as an extension of their skills.
Pilots’ good physical health is a serious matter, and is subject to regular checks.
3 – Specific rules
Flying also means complying with a set of rules and procedures.
Mainly, you need license, and to follow a theoretical and practical training, medical certification, respect the rules of air traffic and security rules (procedure of navigation, communication, landing, etc… ) and comply with safety rules (weather, environment or aircraft).
4 – Examples from the past to the present
HENRI FARMAN, an accomplished sportsman
Henri Farman (1874 – 1958), is famous in the history of aviation because he embodies the figure of the sportsman (sportsman aviator). His experience illustrates how aviation, since its beginning, is seen as a sport. It attracted courageous and passionate men and women. Henri Farman, former cycling champion and motor racer turned to the aviation and quickly gained a reputation in this field.
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JASON LAMY-CHAPPUIS, gifted skier turned pilot
The story of Jason Lamy-Chappuis (born in 1986), , shows us that the sporting spirit is still alive and well in aviation. In the middle of his athletic careers, this Olympics medalist (he won the gold in Nordic combined skiing at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic games) took his recreational pilot’s license. Then, he retired in 2015 and became an airline pilot.
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Conclusion
Thus, legendary aviators such as the Wright brothers * and Amelia Earhart ** paved the way for the modern aviation, while contemporary pilots continue to make history with technological advances and new challenges to fly in a more innovative and greener world.
So recreational aviation may not appear to be a sport in the traditional sense, but it shares many characteristics of competitions and innovations, skill and the self-surpassing attributed to sport.
The legacy of yesterday’s pilots inspires today-s generation. Thus, who continue to dream and to explore the clouds. The sporting interest of recreational aviation still evolve. Aviation attracting a wide audience and many practitioners while responding to environmental challenges and continuing to fascinate today.. This is why, Mamahele offers you to distinguish yourself. We invite you to mark your preferences by wearing clothes 100% cotton (preferably organic cotton), customized to reflect your hobby and our image
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*(irst powered flight in 1903
**first woman to cross the Atlantic in plane in 1928)
