Žalec - The Levec Airport in Celje is hosting the 49th Vintage Glider Club International Rally from 1 to 12 August with over 81 pilots and 41 gliders from 15 countries. Visitors will have a chance to see the unique vintage gliders fly over the town's skyline.

The largest such event in the world, the rally is organized by a different country each year - all members of the umbrella organization, the Vintage Glider Club (VGC), headquartered in England, Igor Eržen, president of the Slovenian Aviation Association told the STA on Wednesday.

The oldest vintage glider in attendance was made in 1937.

All of the gliders are privately owned.

When asked whether the vintage gliders are still safe for flying, Eržen said they could not be compared to modern airplanes, but could still be flown safely by experienced pilots in good weather conditions.

The VGC panel picked the Levec Airport as the host of this year's rally after assessing it has sufficient organizational capacities and good infrastructure.