Duo in love and in the sky: Italians return for air show

NANCHANG — At the 2023 Nanchang Air Show, the Pioneer Team from Italy provided the audience with a wonderful aerobatic performance. Accompanied by joyful music, four planes flew about the sky with green, white and red trails of smoke streaming behind.

The 2023 China Aviation Industry Conference and Nanchang Air Show was held in Jiangxi province from Oct 27 to 29. Six teams representing the highest level of aerobatic performance from home and abroad took turns showing off their skills. In addition to two Chinese aerobatic teams, the AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers, the Airborne Pyrotechnics and the Global Stars aerobatic team, all from Britain, as well as the Pioneer Team from Italy, performed midair ballets for the crowds.

Corrado Rusalen, the leader of the Pioneer Team, arrived in Nanchang nearly a week in advance to do some intensive training, become familiar with the venue and coordinate with various departments. The aircraft used in the show had been disassembled for transport to Nanchang by container ship, so he arrived last Sunday to start the process of reassembly. The event marked Rusalen's sixth time performing in China, and he has grown to love the experience.