SAFA Skysailor Magazine

22 SKY SAILOR September | October 2024 It is always exciting to see a new competition introduced for SAFA pilots to test their skills and compete for the top spot in their sport. At the 1st FAI World Paramotor Endurance Championships held in the UK recently, five Australian pilots took on the challenge in the PF1 class to battle it out for the top spot against pilots from all over the world. The championships featured 14 countries with a total of 53 competitors in the PF1 class and a further 11 teams and 31 competitors in the PL1 category. Competitors travelled from all over Europe, the Middle East, USA, Japan, India and Australia, forming teams in the Foot Launch and Trike groups. Pilots managed to fly a total of 12 or 13 hours cross-country despite windy conditions during the week. In the ninth and final task of the competi- tion, pilots had 2kg quantity of fuel weighed out and had to stay in the air as long as possible, trying to locate thermals to extend their airtime as much as possible. The Australian team finished in seventh place in the PF1 class out of 14 competing countries, with France taking out the top spot. 1st FAI World Paramotor Endurance Championships