Today, there are about ten official aviation sports, including gliding, ballooning, and parachuting, all of which are incredibly fascinating to watch. Helicopter sports stand out not only for their spectacle but also for their significant practical importance. According to world champion and World Air Games champion Alexander Zhuperin, it is no coincidence that the number of private pilots wanting to try their hand at helicopter sports is growing every year.
From Novice to Champion
Alexander started piloting helicopters 20 years ago. At the same time, he began regular training with an instructor under a sports program, practicing the exercises performed in competitions of various levels. Over time, Alexander began to participate regularly in competitions. Two years later, he became the absolute champion of the prestigious Russian competition "Milya Cup," and a year later, he joined the national team.
"I initially decided to hone my piloting skills to feel confident during my flights. At first, I trained weekly, trying to learn from the instructors. I improved my technical skills, coordination, motor skills, and stress resistance. Gradually, I got hooked. The thrill set in. And with each new award, I wanted to achieve even better results," Alexander Zhuperin admits.
Subsequently, the athlete, along with his co-pilots, participated in numerous international competitions, demonstrating his mastery. For example, at the World Championship in Germany, he won two silver medals in the disciplines of "Navigation" and "Slalom." In Poland, he became the world champion in the team event. At the championship held in Russia, he won several awards, becoming the world champion in the team event and the absolute world champion in the individual event. At the World Air Games in Dubai, considered the "Olympic Games" for aviation sports, he outperformed the strongest pilots from around the world to become the absolute champion.
Alexander's wife, Elena Zhuperina, also achieves high results in competitions. Like her husband, she holds the title of Master of Sport International Class and remains the only woman in the world performing freestyle on a Robinson R-44 helicopter. The couple has been training together for many years, but they compete in different crews. Each of them has over 3,000 flight hours.
According to Alexander, there were about 60 professional crews in the world until recently, more than half of whom are regular participants in world championships. In addition to representatives from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, there are pilots from Poland, Austria, Germany, the UK, Belgium, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and France. Although the number of crews might seem small, considering the high financial costs associated with this sport, it is quite a significant number of athletes.
When discussing the countries with the highest competition levels, Alexander highlighted Russia, Germany, and Poland: "Championships held in these countries are mainly attended by private pilots who are very passionate about helicopters and motivated to achieve results. But it seems to me that it is hardest to win competitions in Russia, where many crews from CIS countries gather. This is partly due to the historical context. The first championship in this sport was held in the Soviet Union, and Soviet practices were used to organize international competitions. Additionally, during the Soviet era, significant funding was allocated for the development of helicopter sports, creating a strong school. After the USSR's collapse, competitions were held less frequently. But with the emergence of commercial pilots like us, the movement began to revive. Many of us not only compete in championships today but also participate in popularizing helicopter sports."
A Hub for the Best Athletes
Alexander actively uses his experience to give other athletes the opportunity to improve their skills and showcase their helicopter piloting mastery. He has been involved in organizing various championships supporting the National Helicopter Sports Federation and its initiatives. He has also judged competitions, including the open championships of Russia and Belarus.
Perhaps the most significant contribution to the development of helicopter sports has been the creation of the "Konakovo" airfield. Alexander Zhuperin was one of the initiators and investors of the project. Just over ten years ago, this site housed an agricultural aviation airfield, and no one could have imagined that it would become one of the most modern and well-equipped venues for training and international-level competitions.
"After purchasing the airfield, we made significant investments in developing its infrastructure. We extended the runway, built hangars for helicopters. We now have 10 training grounds operating continuously—no other airfield in any country has such a number. We built permanent stands for watching competitions—other airfields lack such facilities for spectators. For athletes and fans, we built a hotel, a glamping site, and created conditions for active recreation. I believe that today, it is one of the most modern and comfortable airfields in the world," says Alexander.
"Konakovo" is well known both in Russia and abroad. The International Helicopter Sports Academy was established at the airfield. This nonprofit partnership helps athletes from different countries improve their skills and hone their piloting techniques. Crews from Poland, Germany, Belgium, and Belarus have trained here.
It is noteworthy that after training at "Konakovo," athletes show high results in international competitions. For example, a few years ago, an Austrian-German crew trained at "Konakovo." After that, the pilots went to the European Championship in Belgium and took third place—it was their best competition result.
The International Academy not only organizes training processes but also holds competitions. Thanks to the efforts of Alexander Zhuperin and his colleagues, national championships and open championships of Russia, which attract athletes from different countries, are regularly held at the airfield. Several years ago, stages of the World Helicopter Sports Cup were held there.
"Konakovo" also hosts competitions for young athletes under the "Air Scouts" program. This project is implemented in cooperation with pilots from one of Russia's largest search and rescue teams, "Liza Alert," who voluntarily help search for missing people. The tasks faced by participants in the "Air Scouts" competitions are similar to those encountered during the search for people lost in the wilderness. According to Alexander Zhuperin, many pilots collaborate with volunteer teams in their free time and help with search and rescue operations. He himself has such experience.
"Helicopter sports largely mimic search and rescue operations, and the tasks set before teams at national and international competitions have practical significance. For example, in the 'Navigation' discipline, participants must find all the targets marked by the organizers in the area within a certain time. Only paper maps are allowed, without auxiliary devices or GPS. Another example is the 'Slalom' exercise, where one pilot controls the helicopter while the other must collect water in a bucket and carry it through obstacles without spilling a drop. Here, not only must the task be completed accurately, but good teamwork must also be demonstrated. It turns out that the skills practiced during training and competitions are useful in search and rescue operations. And by participating in the search for missing people, athletes practice solving tasks in real conditions," the pilot explained.
For his significant contribution to the development of helicopter sports, Alexander Zhuperin has received recognition not only at the national but also at the international level. The International Aeronautical Federation (FAI), the main organization for helicopter sports, awarded the athlete the Paul Tissandier Diploma and a medal for exceptional contribution to the development of aviation sports.
Currently, Alexander lives and trains in the United States. He notes that the level of development of helicopter sports in this country is somewhat lower than in the CIS countries. Nevertheless, private aviation is actively developing in the United States. Wealthy individuals who value their time, personal space, and safety during travel purchase helicopters and learn to operate them. His experience in organizing training, competitions, and developing infrastructure may be in demand for developing helicopter movement in the U.S.
In 20 years, as Alexander admits, helicopter sports have become an integral part of his life. They have allowed him not only to improve his piloting skills and achieve sporting success significantly but also to expand his social circle.
"At training camps and competitions, we meet many interesting, erudite people who are passionate not only about aviation but also have extensive knowledge in various fields. Many years later, we continue to keep in touch with many of them, following their sporting achievements and congratulating them on holidays. For me, communication is an additional incentive that maintains my interest in helicopter sports," shared Alexander Zhuperin.
