Melanie Astles wins first British Aerobatics Open Championship

Melanie Astles is the first British Open Aerobatics Unlimited Champion following the inaugural event at Sywell Aerodrome on Sunday 14 July.

Melanie, who lives in France but was born in Rugby, England, headed a  ‘truly memorable contest amongst some of the best pilots from across Europe’.  They included the best of British pilots and Hungarian, French, Italian and Polish pilots at both Advanced and Unlimited levels, as well as Freestyle.

Melanie, competing under the British flag, was flying her Extra 330SC. She also picked up the coveted Neil Williams Trophy to become the British National Champion for the second time. She came fifth in the World Advanced Aerobatic Championships in Las Vegas in October last year.

• Watch the British Aerobatics Open Championship 2024 on YouTube

The other big British winner was Mark Jefferies who can now add British Open Freestyle Champion to his tally of aerobatic titles, also flying an Extra 330SC.

Mark is a well-known airshow performer for both his solo shows and his formation team The Global Stars.  He has been the British Unlimited National Champion multiple times but has not competed for 15 years.

At the Advanced level, the British Open Championship was won by Maciej Kulaszewski of Poland, flying an Extra 330LX.  Maciej is Polish born but works as an aerobatic instructor with the British Aerobatic Academy based at Fowlmere Airfield.

British Aerobatics OPEN Championship 2024

UNLIMITED
Gold – Melanie Astles (GBR)
Silver – Daniel Genevey (HUN)
Bronze – Cyrial Talon (LUX)

ADVANCED
Gold – Maciej Kulaszewski (POL)
Silver – Andrea Pesenato (ITA)
Bronze – Steven Bakhtiari (GBR)

FREESTYLE
Gold – Mark Jefferies (GBR)
Silver – Melanie Astles (GBR)
Bronze – Daniel Genevey (HUN)

The event was sponsored by Tele2 IoT and livestreamed by Aeroview.tv, with live commentary for the Freestyle.  The videos can still be watched on YouTube here.

“We are delighted with the success of our first British Open Championship,” said Tom Cassells, Chairman of British Aerobatics. “With great sponsorship, strong pilot participation and the wonderful airfield facilities at Sywell, it’s an event we are really proud of.”