The CIVA Survey 2024

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International aerobatic championships for powered and glider aircraft take place under the direction of the FAI Aerobatics Commission CIVA. To help us develop our rules and competitions, we would really appreciate your input. We need feedback from everyone associated with aerobatic sporting competitions. This survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. All your answers and comments are anonymous unless you choose otherwise. The results will be published for everyone to review after the closing date, to spread opinions and help to guide and inform the proposals we need to develop the sport. Thank you very much for taking part.

Please can we know your age group?

Under 18

18-25

26-50

Over 50

That's private ...

May we know your gender?

Male

Female

Prefer not to answer

Your nationality would be helpful for us too

What is your interest in the following?

	Very interested	Somewhat interested	Not interested
Aresti sequences
Final Freestyle or 4m Free
Airshows and displays

How many years have you been interested in aerobatic competitions?

Less than 1 year

1-3 years

4-10 years

11 years and over

How long have you had an interest in airshows or displays?

Less than 2 years

Up to 5 years

Over 5 years

What is your level of interest in these other aerobatic activities?

	Very interested	Somewhat interested	Not interested
Watching TV or YouTube
On your social media
At competitions and Training

Have you ever been to an aerobatic competition?

Yes, this year

Yes, 1-3 years ago

Yes, more than 3 years ago

No, never

What would prompt you to attend an aerobatic competition in the next 12 months?

Have you ever spectated at a public airshow or display?

1-5 years ago

Over 5 years ago

What would prompt you to go to a public airshow or display in the next 12 months?

What sort of flying is your main interest?

Powered

Glider

Both

I am just a spectator

I only fly models

Do you hold a current pilots license?

Yes

No, but I am learning to fly

Have you ever held a pilots license?

Yes

Have you ever flown in a public airshow or display?

Yes

No, but I intend to in the future

Do you hold a current Display Authorisation or airshow flying license?

Yes

Have you ever held an airshow or Display Authorisation license?

Yes

Do you own an aircraft?

Yes

I own a share in a group

No - I rent one when needed

No - I can't afford it

Other

Have you ever owned an aircraft?

Yes

I own a share in a group

How many pilots are there in your group?

How important are the following in relation to your aerobatic flying?

	Very important	Somewhat important	Not important at all
National and domestic events
International / CIVA events
Training and flying solo
Display & Airshow flying

How often do you fly aerobatics?

Regularly - at least once a week

At least once a month

Rarely

I used to, but not any more

I have never flown any aerobatics

Do you have formal training from an aerobatic coach? Radio coaching is the best way to progress in competition aerobatics. It is rarely free but is more effective than burning avgas on your own and still making mistakes.

Yes

Not yet, but I intend to

Would you be interested in obtaining advice regarding where to find a good aerobatic training coach?

Yes

Have you ever flown in an aerobatic competition?

Yes (Domestic / National)

Yes (International / CIVA)

No, but I intend to in the future

No - it's not for me

When was the last time you competed in an aerobatic competition?

Within the last year

1-3 years ago

4-10 years ago

Over 10 years ago

What is the highest level that you have flown at in an aerobatic competition?

Beginners/Basic/Club /Primary

Sports or Sportsman

Intermediate

Advanced

Excellence

Unlimited

Have you ever flown in a CIVA Championship as part of a national team?

Yes

Do you intend to try for a place on a national team and fly at a CIVA championship?

Yes

Do you have any private or commercial sponsorship?

Yes

Which of the following aerobatics governing bodies do you recognise, or have heard about previously?

The National Airsport Control (NAC) in your country

The Commission Internationale de Voltige Aérienne (CIVA)

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)

How much do you know about each of these aerobatics governing bodies and what they do?

	I am well informed	I am only somewhat familiar	I am not aware at all
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)
Commission Internationale de Voltige Aérienne (CIVA)
National Airsport Control (NAC)

Do you know who your National Airsport Control is?

FAI controls all international air sports to ensure good sportsmanship and fair competition. Each member nation of FAI has a National Airsport Control (NAC) which issues FAI sporting licenses and enters competitors in FAI events such as aerobatic championships.

Yes

Do you know who your CIVA Delegate is?

Each NAC can appoint a Delegate to CIVA who becomes involved in the work of the commission. CIVA Delegates play a key role in developing international aerobatic regulations.

Yes

How well are your concerns as a pilot represented by your CIVA Delegate?

The effectiveness of your CIVA Delegate in representing pilot concerns is vital to ensure your expectations and needs are addressed.

We are well represented

I am not sure what is done for us

No idea what the Delegate does

Are you a member of the Aerobatic Club or Association in your country?

Yes

I used to be but I am not now

Please can you tell us the name of the Aerobatic Club in your country?

Are you happy to continue with the survey?(Required)

Yes let's go

No, I will skip this section

Can you please tell us a little about why you're not interested, and what might make aerobatic competitions interesting for you?

What is your view on the length (days) of CIVA championships?

A typical CIVA championship lasts from 8 to 11 contest days. With pre-contest on-site training this can result in 3 weeks or more at a championship.

What we have now is OK for good preparation and competition

Events are too long and it would be better to shorten them

Championships are too short and should be extended

Other

CIVA regulations require 15 or more pilots from at least 5 nations to run a championship.

If these minimum levels are not met then the event cannot run. What is your view on this regulation?

These entry requirements are OK, no change is needed.

I think the number of pilots and nations should be increased.

The requirement for 15 pilots and 5 nations should be reduced.

Other

CIVA powered championships include 4 Aresti programs plus a 4m Final Freestyle for Unlimited pilots

Do you think this is a good format?

The current format is OK and should be maintained

3 Aresti programs (+ 4m Freestyle) would be better

3 Aresti programs would be better, with the 4m Freestyle run separately

Other

CIVA glider championship events include 6 Aresti programs.

What is your opinion on this program format?

The current format is fine and should be maintained

I think this should be reduced to 4 Aresti programs

Some Aresti programs plus an Unlimited Final Freestyle would be better

Other

In CIVA power championships we have alternate World and European events every other year.

What is your view on this schedule?

This schedule is fine, no need for change

We should have a one year gap between each event

Other

In CIVA glider championship we have World events every year.

Do you think that this should be revised like the power championship calendar?

World Advanced and Unlimited events every year is fine.

World ADV and UNL events every other year would be better

We should have World and European events in alternate years

Other

CIVA glider championships for Advanced and Unlimited are currently run as a combined event.

What is your view on this combination?

I am happy with this format, no need for change

The Advanced and Unlimited events should be separate

Other

What is your view on the size of the aerobatic box?

The box is a cube of airspace 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) long by 1,000 meters wide

I am happy with this, no need for change

The box should be smaller to increase Positioning skill

The box should be larger so that figures are not hurried

I think the box should be removed, pilots simply fly for the judges

Other

In CIVA box boundary 'OUTs' can only be recorded using an electronic system.

How important do you think this is?

The existing Position mark from judges works well

An electronic system should be used, box limits are very important

Other

Are you concerned about G forces during an aerobatic sequence?

They are fine for me, no need for change

High G is dangerous, simpler figures should be used

A max G limit, with penalties, would be a good idea

Other

At each championship pilots fly sequences of figures graded by the judges.

What types of sequence should be flown? At glider events one Unknown sequence is always designed by the Jury.

Power: 1x Free Known + several Free Unknowns is best

Power: 1x Free Known + pre-set Unknowns would be better

Power: 1x Known + pre-set Unknowns would be better

Glider: 1x Free Known + Free Unknowns + 1x Jury Unknown is best

Glider: 1x Free Known + pre-set Unknowns would be better

Glider: 1x Known + pre-set Unknowns would be better

Other

What about the number of figures in each sequence?

Power programs are currently limited to 10 figures (Free Known), and 11 to 14 figures (Free Unknowns).

These sequences are fine, no need for change

The sequences are too short, more figures would be better.

Longer sequences and less programs would be a better solution

Have less figures per sequence and fly more programs

Other

"This question is about Team scoring and fairness. National teams can have 12 pilots with the top three scorers providing the team result. In smaller teams a higher proportion of pilots must fly very well

To make things more fair, should each team declare which pilots are their team scorers are before the championship starts?

The existing system is fair regardless of team size.

Nations should declare 4 team scoring pilots, the top 3 scores counting

Nations should declare 3 team scoring pilots, all scores counting

Other

Should CIVA introduce "Knock-Out" competitions where successive rounds reduce the number of remaining competitors to reach the final pair?

Yes

Other

Should CIVA allow (encourage?) the use of smoke / pyrotechnics during Aresti programs?

Aerobatic smoke helps spectators to follow the action in the box. Currently the rules allow Unlimited power pilots to use smoke but only during the Final Freestyle program.

Yes

Other

Should CIVA introduce another category (e.g. Excellence) between Advanced and Unlimited as a better progression for power pilots?

The gap from Advanced to Unlimited is a daunting step for many pilots. CIVA is considering a new category between these two levels.

Yes I support this process

I am neutral on this topic

I oppose this move as it is not necessary

At present pilot entries can only be made by their NAC. Why can't organisers accept entries from individual pilots or FAI International Teams? This would encourage more entries from ALL potentially interested competitors.

Would you support such a change being made?

No - entries should be strictly controlled by NAC's

Yes - encourage the maximum possible number of entries

Other

Should the published championship event entry fee EXCLUDE the hotel accommodation?

Power organisers normally include the cost of hotel accommodation in the published entry fee. However competitors can find their own hotel, making entry fees smaller. The Judges and Jury would still have their hotels provided by the organizer.

Yes - always exclude hotels from entry fees

No - organisers can find the best hotels

Yes - exclude hotel costs but establish an accommodation manager

Other

Can the official video of each flight be available to competitors during the championship?

Currently this recording is only available to the Judges to assist determination of HZ's, and the Jury if required.

No, the video is only for judges and jury to verify matters of fact

Yes, videos should be available to the competitor after each flight

Yes, they should be available to the competitor after each flight with a small fee

Other

Do you think CIVA should include Category-2 competitions as well as World and European international championships in its regulations,?

Yes

Should the championship organizer arrange for a commentator to explain to the public how each flight is going?

The minor added expense for the organiser could make a great difference to spectators.

Yes

Have you ever judged at a domestic or a national aerobatic competition? You do get the best seat in the house ...

Yes

Have you ever been involved in judging at a CIVA championship event?

Yes

Are you interested in learning to become a judge at a CIVA championship event?

The judging panel has at least seven judges for marking the quality of the aerobatic figures and their positioning, and recording penalties. This is a very important and responsible job.

Yes

Would you like to be a judging assistant at a CIVA championship event?

Every judge must have a skilled assistant, responsible for "Calling" each figure to the judge, then recording figure grades and reasons or comments. This is probably the best way to learn about judging.

Yes

Should CIVA make a move to electronic scoring with tablets?

Currently we use paper forms to record the judges marks and comments. Electronic tablets can provide quicker feedback of the judges grades but can be problematic in bright sunlight.

No, I like reading my paper judging sheets

Yes, CIVA should develop tablet scoring for evaluation

Other

CIVA's scoring software aims to give the maximum possible pilot scoring and judge review information for everyone to assess, including pilot photos and mini sequence diagrams.

What do you think about the way this is presented?

It's too complex, a simpler layout would be less confusing

More graphical interpretations of the data would be helpful

What we have is great - leave it alone!

Other

CIVA normally employs at least seven judges in each judging panel, plus a non-scoring Chief Judge, at every championship event.

Should CIVA revise this format?

No, this panel size is essential for accurate results

Yes, more judges would be better

Yes, five judges plus a non-scoring CJ would be good

Yes, five judges but including the CJ as a scoring judge would be better

Yes, three or four judges with a non-scoring CJ would be best

Yes, three or four judges but including the CJ as a scoring judge would be good

CIVA uses the FairPlay system to detect and remove judging bias, which is a natural and almost unavoidable occurrence, and to adjust marks assessed as "incorrect" by comparison with the other judges. Interim competition scores and pilot ranking however can alter as more flights are input, and the "Official Final Results" can only be published at the end of the program after every pilot has flown.

Should FairPlay always be used at CIVA championships?

Yes

Other

Like other FAI commissions CIVA has a single annual Plenary Conference where changes to regulations are debated by delegates, and CIVA officers and championship officials are voted into position.

What are your views on the annual CIVA Plenary Conference?

A single annual in-person plenary conference is the right solution

Physical plenaries are fine but online participation should be allowed

All CIVA meetings should be held online so everyone can participate

Other

What are your thoughts on the FAI and CIVA medals and diplomas awarded at a CIVA championship event?

They are great, don't change anything

More medals and diplomas would be good

Remove the FAI medals, award more CIVA medals

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Your input is extremely valuable to us, our Delegates, and to the wider aerobatic community.

Finally - is there anything else you would like CIVA to review so that some other aspect of its championships could be improved?