33rd World Aerobatic Championships Awarded to Batavia, New York
The World Aerobatic Championship is headed back to the USA in 2026 after CIVA delegates attending the 2024 CIVA Plenary accepted a bid presented by U.S. CIVA representative Michael Gallaway.
The presentation named Genesee County Airport, Batavia, New York (KGVQ) as the site for the championship. The airport is a proven location for the Wings Over Batavia air show.
READ MORE > https://www.iac.org/unlimited-team-2026
The IAC's 2025 Contest Calendar is starting to fill up
The IAC sanctions 35 to 40 contests per year. These are hosted by individual IAC chapters. From California to Maine and north to Canada you can find all the details here: https://www.iac.org/contests
IAC Achievement Award Program
AEROBATICS IS A SPORT driven by passion, skill, and hard work. Many members love the sport even if they don’t compete. The IAC has set up ways to celebrate everyone’s achievements in aerobatics, not just those who compete.
A big part involves the IAC Achievement Awards: Smooth and Stars awards. These awards are for pilots who demonstrate the skill, challenge, and dedication to aerobatics, whether in competition or just for the love of flying. See program details here: https://www.iac.org/legacy/achievement-awards
About the IAC
While we are known mostly as the "competition aerobatics" people, the IAC was organized in 1970 for all forms of aerobatic flight. Our articles state that we have organized for educational, scientific, and charitable purposes related to aerobatics: we 1) cooperate and assist governmental agencies in the development of programs relating to aerobatic activities, 2) encourage, aid, and engage in research and education for the improvement of aviation safety through a better understanding of the art of aerobatics, and 3) promote and encourage aerobatic education and competition on a national and international level.
The IAC has a commitment to safety and excellence in every aspect of our sport with fair play and sportsmanship at the forefront of our endeavors.
Although often referred to as a "division" or "community" of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. (EAA), the IAC is an independent non-profit organization. All IAC members are also EAA members. Membership in EAA is open to all who are interested in aviation.
The IAC offers sanction for regional competitions, provides judge training and certification, stewards the contest rule book, and hosts the US National Aerobatic Championships. Our rule book is maintained to provide a fair competition environment for aerobatic pilots of all skill levels and aerobatic aircraft of all types.
On an international level, the IAC is a member of the National Aeronautic Association and is responsible for the administration, management, and promotion of the sport of aerobatics in the United States under the applicable regulations of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The FAI is the world governing body for all sport aviation competition and record attempts. The IAC represents the United States at meetings of the FAI Aerobatic Commission (CIVA) which establishes rules worldwide for aerobatic competitions. The IAC is responsible, through our agreement with the NAA, for fielding teams to represent the United States in international aerobatic competition.
The IAC is led by a Board of Directors including four officers (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary) and 11 Directors, including representatives from EAA and NAA.