S7 Airlines, a member of the oneworld® global aviation alliance, has now become a general sponsor of the Russian Aerobatic Gliding Team.

The glider going by the name of Swift S-1, which the Russian team is to fly during the competition event, has been painted in the S7 Airlines livery colours. Today the Czech city of Zbraslavice is hosting the opening of the world tournament, with the Russian team as a participant. You will also be able to see the Swift S-1 Glider wearing the S7 Airlines colours during the International Aviation and Space Show MAKS-2015 in Moscow.

 “We are happy to support the Russian team. Gliding is a sport, which is becoming popular nowadays and is notable for being spectacular, yet very complex in performance. In this sport flawless piloting skills are of crucial importance”, Vladimir Obyedkov, Director General of S7 Airlines, noted.

 “The financial support of the general sponsor made it possible for us to bring our full team to the competition, which gives us a chance to win a medal within the team event”, Sergey Ryabchinsky, President of the Russian Glider Sport Federation, noted.

The National Team is composed of Georgy Kaminsky – three-time World Champion, Vladimir Ilyinsky – World Champion, and Valery Korchagin. The pilots will be led by Honoured Trainer of Russia, Repeated Champion in Air Piloting, Nikolay Nikityuk.

Glider piloting is a relatively new discipline among other aviation sports and has only existed for about three decades. Russian pilots have been able to achieve high results in this discipline and regularly become champions in the most challenging class - Unlimited1.