An annual event hosted by the Warrnambool Model Aircraft Club was held in preparation for the upcoming FAI F3D World Championship for Pylon Racing Model Aircraft.

The Australian team includes Warrnambool pilot Leigh Hocken with helper Vern Gibson, Beau and Barry Murphy from Bairnsdale and Shaun and Jarrod Jacobsen from Morphett Vale in South Australia.

Junior pilot Daniel Arapakis, 16, will also represent the nation, with help from his father Andrew.

Club secretary Rod Mitchell said attendees came from across Victoria and South Australia to the event at the club’s headquarters on Officers Lane, Koroit.

“As the world championships are not far off, this is a great chance for the team to have a final practise and ensure everything is working as it should,” he said.

The championships will be held at Darla Jarna airport, in Sweden.

The event is in July and will be held over four days.

The model aircraft fly 10 laps of a triangular course, with up to four models in the air at one time.

Competitors fly up to 14 rounds, with the worst three rounds discounted.

The model aircraft can reach speeds of up to 360 kilometres per hour.

The pilots have a helper, who alerts them when it is time to turn the aircraft.

Mr Hocken has plenty of experience at the world championships. 

He placed sixth individually and first in the team event at the in 2013 and in 2013 he came eighth individually and second in the team class.

Competitors have to take three complete models and two spare motors to the world championships.

The cost of the model aircrafts is between $3500 to $4000. 

They are made from fibreglass and carbon fibre.

Australia has won the world championships three times.