World's best model pilots buzz Australia to claim top honor

The skies are abuzz in western Australia as world's best model aircraft pilots from 32 countries battle to claim top honor.

Perth in Western Australia state is hosting 200 competitors from 32 countries for the first Federation of International Aeronautics (FAI) World Championships for control-line aircraft to be held in the southern hemisphere since competition began in 1962.

"It's like the Olympics of model aircraft," FAI contest director Trevor Latchford told Australia's national broadcaster on Friday.

The pilots are competing in four disciplines, outright speed, team racing, aerobatics and combat, using control-line models, meaning pilots are linked to the aircraft by wires.

"Even though we are on the ground, we are still pilots," Latchford said.

"These are not toys. It's very serious."

Competitors come from all corners of the world including China, South Africa, Indonesia, Japan, Europe and North America, with ages as diverse as their background, ranging from just 11-years-old to 74-years-old.

While competitors spend their time building models to "crash through the summer" as there will "always be a number of casualties involved in winning", the pilots are competing for the glory and honor of winning, Latchford said.

"You get medallion and a trophy but no prize money, we are all amateurs." Endit