At the ongoing 7th CISM Military World Games in Wuhan, the People's Liberation Army's Bayi aeronautical pentathlon team won the first gold medal of the aeronautical pentathlon, according to Xinhua.
The news agency reported that the victory marked the Chinese delegation’s second gold medal during the games, which run to Oct 30.
Launched in 1947 in France, the aeronautical pentathlon consists of both air and ground events. The only air sport is low-altitude triangle navigation, while the ground events include shooting, swimming, fencing, basketball, obstacle racing and orienteering.
The games organizers said the aeronautical pentathlon helps test the intelligence and physical ability of flight personnel.
The flying contest for the aeronautical pentathlon is one of the most distinctive events at the Military World Games.
It was the first time that Chinese delegation had taken part in the competition. The organizers said teams from nine countries -- including China, the Czech Republic and Denmark -- took part in the flying contest.
Under the aeronautical pentathlon rules, competitors need to instruct their pilot to fly for 40 minutes on a triangular route at a height of about 200 meters. The referees score the athletes at three checkpoints for the accuracy of their navigation and the ability to arrive on time.
China’s Liao Weihua participated in the contest as pilot and Ye Bangwu, Li Duoqi, and He Haoqin participated in the planning and preparation of low-altitude triangular navigation -- such as point determination and speed calculations.
