STORY: Italian pilot couple's "sky ballet" in east China
DATELINE: Oct. 30, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:21
LOCATION: NANCHANG, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the airshow
2. SOUNDBITE (English): CORRADO RUSALEN, Leader of the Pioneer Team of Italy

STORYLINE:

At the just-concluded 2023 Nanchang Air Show, six teams representing the highest level of aerobatic performance from home and abroad took turns to show off their skills. 

In addition to two Chinese and three British aerobatic teams, the Pioneer Team from Italy had performed mid-air ballet for the crowds.

Since the Italian team was established in 2005, it has performed in more than 20 countries, including Japan, Spain and France, with a total of over 300 performances so far.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): CORRADO RUSALEN, Leader of the Pioneer Team, Italy
"This is the 6th time that we come to China. And then we feel very well when we come to China, because we have a full week to be concentrated on the flight. The organization is very well done. 
The team was born with four very passionate pilots. And then the intention was (that) we tried to fly formation. And then we were training with professional teams, several professional pilots that fly military, that fly formation."

Corrado Rusalen is the leader of the Pioneer Team. This year, he participated in the show with his wife Silvia Rappo, who is also the youngest female pilot on the team.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): CORRADO RUSALEN, Leader of the Pioneer Team, Italy
"She (My wife) is a very good pilot. She's very passionate in her job. And she's also involved in the company.
Silvia is my left wing in flight and my wife in life."

Looking to the future, Rusalen and Rappo intend to keep putting on air displays around the world.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): CORRADO RUSALEN, Leader of the Pioneer Team, Italy
"The passion is something that helps you to grow in every different things. All the pilots like to fly longer, like to fly in other countries, like to make longer trips, to fly formation. It is growing every time on your passion."

The 2023 China Aviation Industry Conference and Nanchang Air Show was held in east China's Jiangxi Province from Oct. 27 to 29.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nanchang, China.
(XHTV)