Salina is set to once again host some of the best pilots in the country as the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships returns this month to the Salina Regional Airport.
The championships, which have been hosted here since 2019, will take place from Sept. 20 to 25 at the airport.
Competition will take place for eight total categories in both powered aircraft and gliders will, with more than 100 pilots expected to compete this year.
See rolls, flips and more in Salina's skies
People in Salina can expect to see, and hear, unique aircraft in the air starting Sept. 16 when unofficial practice times for the competition begins.
Even more aircraft will be seen when official practice starts on Sept. 18.
Official contest flights are set to begin at noon Sept. 20, at which point the skies above the airport will be near constantly full of competition aircraft during sunlight hours, weather permitting.
The competition will wrap up on Sept. 25, with four-minute "freestyle flights" from competitors typically flown beginning at 3 p.m. These flights often include things that wouldn't be seen during normal competition, such as smoke and music, for spectators to see the skills of these pilots.
Throughout the week, spectators can expect to see maneuvers such as rolling turns, loops and figure eights.
What championships will be awarded this year?
This year's competition will see awards in eight categories spanning two styles, powered aircraft and gliders.
In powered, there will be five levels of competition, with a U.S. champion awarded in each of the following:
- Primary.
- Sportsman.
- Intermediate.
- Advanced.
- National or Unlimited.
For gliders, which unpowered and towed in the air before being release for the competition runs, will have three U.S. champions awarded in the following:
- Primary.
- Sportsman.
- Intermediate.
The glider Advanced and Unlimited championships were held earlier in the year in Arizona, but a separate regional contest, the Salina Glider Classic, will also be taking place during this year's U.S. Nationals.
Get information on 2026 U.S. National Aerobatic Championships
For more information on this year's championships, including a complete schedule of competitions when they are finalized, visit www.iac.org/nationals.
Updates on this year's competition are also available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USNationalAerobaticChampionships.
No official public viewing spot for spectators has been announced, but Fossett Plaza, which can be accessed from Beechcraft Road off of Centennial Road, is a popular spot for aircraft spotting throughout the year.
With most maneuvers taking place away from the runways and high above the ground, bringing binoculars or other magnification is recommended.
This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: U.S. National Aerobatic Championships returning to skies over Salina