'Aviadarts 2014' enters air race stage

The "Aviadarts 2014" International Pilot Competition entered the air race stage on July 26, 2014.

Four pilots of the aviation element of the Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLAAF) flied two Su-30 planes to take part in the race.

The Russian Air Force held the kick-off ceremony at the aviation shooting range in Bogenuowo before the race began. Senior General Bassin, deputy minister of defense of Russia, and Lieutenant General Bondarev, air force commander of Russia, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches.

Four Chinese pilots flied two Su-30 planes to roar into the air from the Lipetsk Airport in Russia at 10:30 on July 26, local time. After they entered the specified air space of the aviation shooting range in Bogenuowo, they successfully completed three competition subjects according to plan, namely two-plane formation flight and navigation, ground object searching and complicated aerobatic flight, and conducted the air-to-ground target practice using rocket projectiles.

After the competition, Senior General Bassin, deputy minister of Defense of Russia, gave his positive comments: "The Chinese pilots have demonstrated outstanding professionalism and superb training level, which is very impressive".

33 aviation teams of the Air Force of Russia, one naval air force team of Russia, four air force teams of Belarus, and the aviation element of the PLAAF exchanged with each other on July 26.

The aviation element of the PLAAF has conducted safety inspection and flight collaboration with the air force of Russia since its arrival at the Lipetsk Airport on July 20, according to Senior Colonel Yu Hejie, commander of the aviation element of the PLAAF. The Chinese pilots won favorable comments in the physical fitness tests for pilots conducted on July 23.