Welcome to the official 2027 U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team webpage. Here you'll find information about the team, support crew, coach, and manager, along with regular updates throughout the team's training as they prepare for the Advanced World Aerobatic Championship (AWAC) in 2027.
Meet the Team
Michael Lents: Team Captain
Associate Professor and aerobatic coach at the University of North Dakota, Michael Lents brings 25 years of piloting experience and 2,900 aerobatic hours to his 12th US National Aerobatic Championship. Known by monikers like "The Hat," "The Magician," and "The Professor," Lents flies an Extra NG, marking his ninth consecutive year competing in a different aircraft model at Nationals following an Advanced podium finish in an Extra 200. Mentored by John and Linda Morrissey, Lents got into aerobatics because "it's what I always imagined flying should be," and he counts flying with Thunderbird 8 and performing in the UND Decathlon at AirVenture among his proudest milestones.
Describing himself as a "man of focus, commitment, and sheer will," Lents asserts that what separates a good aerobatic pilot from a great one is "the ability to feel the wing talk". On the hold line, his mind focuses on going big with a "Full Sends Only" attitude, supported by a pre-flight routine of walking the sequence, taking a sip of Coke, and adjusting his sunglasses. He calls the hammerhead the "chef's kiss" of maneuvers due to its required finesse and timing. When recovering from a disappointing flight, Lents takes a moment to "give it the devastating attention it deserves to learn from, and then laugh about it". Beyond his own competitive goals, Lents finds deep satisfaction in teaching, noting that coaching the UND team keeps him young while allowing him to pass on vital skills to the next generation of aviators.
Alex Tally
Airline pilot Alexander "Alex" Tally represents Draper, Utah, flying an Extra 330SC nicknamed "Jim Bourke's Airplane". With 13 years as a pilot, 5,000 total flight hours, and 300 aerobatic hours under his belt, Tally is competing in his second US National Aerobatic Championship. His path into aerobatics began in his family garage, where he grew up watching his father build an aerobatic plane from scratch. He later honed his precision flying skills at the University of North Dakota under the mentorship of Mike Lents, and he cites reaching a major airline as his proudest professional milestone. Tally describes himself as "laid back until it comes to competitions," humorously adding that "I fly for work so I can fly for fun".
Tally views the ground game as the toughest aspect of competing at Nationals, noting that "there's a lot of waiting on the ground, but one split second mistake in the air can ruin your whole week". While sitting at the hold line, his singular focus is "don't zero," and he adheres to a simple pre-flight ritual of "telling the airplane to do good for me". In Tally's view, what separates a good aerobatic pilot from a great one is "being receptive to feedback". He considers the snap roll his favorite figure because it "feels like magic," whereas rolling turns remain his least favorite because they feel "impossible to fly perfect". When dealing with a tough flight, Tally maintains perspective by remembering "you're just here for fun, and you still get to fly the next day". Competing at Nationals is a family effort for Tally, who expressed special gratitude to his wife Kirksey for managing things at home with their five-month-old baby, Madelynn.
Nick Slabakov
Chief Pilot at an upset prevention and recovery training business in the Denver area, Nick Slabakov flies an Extra 330-LX. Born in Chirpan, Bulgaria, Slabakov grew up flying model airplanes because real flying was inaccessible, making him immensely appreciative of the freedom to fly after moving to the United States. Over his 25-year aviation career, he has accumulated more than 2,500 total flight hours and 1,200 aerobatic hours. Slabakov previously attended Nationals six or seven times as a judge before making his third appearance as a competitor, having gained priceless coaching during three years of judging alongside the late Rob Holland.
Slabakov humorously notes that "I skipped the Pitts phase, hope it doesn't show," and views aerobatics as a lifetime journey of chasing perfection. He defines the mark of a great aerobatic pilot as "the ability to reserve sufficient mental bandwidth to tasks outside of flying the maneuvers — wind management, positioning, rhythm," allowing the pilot to fly maneuvers as naturally as driving a car. He considers tumbles his favorite maneuver because controlling and stopping the tumble at will is deeply rewarding, while disliking loops because they are difficult to impress anyone with. Having recently served as a USA judge at the World Aerobatic Championship and expanded into airshow flying under "Extra G Aerobatics," Slabakov approaches the sport with continuous enthusiasm for learning.
Brooks Mershon
Corporate pilot Brooks Mershon, based in Santa Paula, California, hails from Bentonville, Arkansas where he currently lives for work. Mershon flies a pink and white Sukhoi SU-26M. Over his ten years as an aviator, Mershon has logged 3,200 total hours, with more than 800 hours in aerobatics and over 1,000 commercial glider flights out of Boulder, Colorado, which formed his foundational stick-and-rudder skills over a few years across roughly 100 aircraft makes and models. His entry into aerobatic flying stemmed from "model aviation and an obsession with motion in 3D powered by financial irresponsibility," guided initially by mentor Doedo Schipper in a Super Decathlon. Mershon's standout aviation memory is soaring over Santa Paula in a borrowed 1940s Czech all-wood Lunak glider on the 4th of July.
Making his debut at the US Nationals, Mershon is candid about the financial and emotional commitment required, stating that the hardest challenge is "balancing the time and money with family. Basically affording it without freaking out. I'm freaking out!". To mentally prepare before taking the box, he listens to music while walking his sequence to enter a "this is fun, let's dance" mindset rather than feeling like he is taking a final exam. He believes a great aerobatic pilot is "more obsessive and able to cut out what doesn't matter at any given moment to prioritize what does for accuracy and safety of flight". Mershon strongly prefers the Unknown sequence, and when a flight falls short, he anchors himself by looking at his son Malcolm to remind himself that his child does not care about a trophy and that the "big pink airplane flew cool regardless". Mershon also shares a friendly jab regarding what winning Nationals would mean to him: "That Owen should have kept his aileron hinge fairings on his Sukhoi like I told him".
Owen Bock
Airline pilot Owen Bock flies out of Santa Paula, California, in a Sukhoi SU-26MX nicknamed "Clifford the big red sukhoi". Having achieved his goal of becoming an airline pilot at age 23, Bock turned to aerobatics to find a structured venue for training and competition, logging 3,000 total flight hours and 400 aerobatic hours over ten years. Mentored by Sammy Mason and AJ Wilder, Bock is competing in his second season overall and making his debut at the US National Aerobatic Championships.
Bock sums up his life in the cockpit as "upside down in plen" and clarifies his name pronunciation as "Owen BOCK. Not BROCK". He identifies the primary challenge of competing at Nationals as "dolla dolla bills," believing that what separates good pilots from great ones is a combination of "financial ability/ mental fortitude". Waiting at the hold line, he aims to keep his mind as quiet as possible, relying on a pre-flight ritual of finding quiet time to himself. Bock picks the endo tumble as his favorite maneuver "because cool," while disliking depth charges "because… they hurt". When recovering from a disappointing performance, he reminds himself that the ultimate goal is simply to have fun. He humorously credits Busch Light as his beverage of choice and asks commentators to remind viewers that wheel pants on a Sukhoi are undeniably cool.
Bruce Ballew
Corporate pilot Bruce Ballew brings more than four decades of flight experience to the team. Based out of St. Louis, Missouri, Ballew has accumulated over 13,000 total flight hours, including 1,000 hours dedicated to aerobatics. He flies an Extra 330LT and is a true veteran of the national competitive scene, having attended more than ten US National Aerobatic Championships since making his contest debut in Salem, Illinois back in 2001. Ballew traces his entry into aerobatics simply to "the challenge and fun" of the discipline, noting that his proudest accomplishment in aviation is just being fortunate enough to participate as both a career and a hobby.
When looking at what separates good aerobatic pilots from great ones, Ballew points squarely to "the mental game". That focus comes through at the hold line, where his primary thought is straightforward: "Don’t screw this up!". He names the hammerhead as his favorite maneuver because "they’re just fun," and when recovering from a disappointing flight, his formula is to "figure out what I can improve on". Competing against a large field of talented aviators remains the biggest challenge at Nationals for Ballew, but he embraces the Unknown sequence. Off the flight line, he lists Creve Coeur Airport (1H0) as his favorite field, enjoys pizza while traveling, and spends his free time with family and friends. When asked what winning at Nationals would mean to him, he summed it up with characteristic brevity: "It’d be pretty cool".
Dr. Tom Thomason
Practicing physician Dr. Tom Thomason from Ocala, Florida, competes in a Panzl S330. With 8,000 total flight hours and 1,500 aerobatic hours, Thomason describes himself as "one very lucky guy" and notes with a smile that he is "a Doctor who doesn’t play golf". He entered aerobatics after his hangar neighbor and car salesman spent two years persuading him to buy a Pitts S2B. Mentored by Nicoly Teemofev, Thomason counts flying across the Atlantic Ocean twice among his proudest aviation achievements.
Attending his fourth US Nationals, Thomason thrives on the challenge of the Unknown sequence, stating that "I love the challenge of Flying a routine that I have never had the chance to practice". He believes the hardest part of Nationals is managing the mental pressure, noting that great pilots distinguish themselves by flying fundamental rolls, turns, and figures with intense focus on every individual element. His favorite figure is an inverted lay down humpty with complex rolling elements, requiring high situational awareness across multiple inverted lines. His pre-flight and post-flight rituals are identical: smile and remind himself how fortunate he is to be flying. Thomason expresses deep gratitude for his wife Shawn and the volunteers and sponsors who support competitive aerobatics.
Johnny De Gennaro
Operating out of Livermore, California, Johnny De Gennaro balances life as a full-time aerobatic pilot and part-time airline aviator. Flying a Gamebird GB1 named "Wally," De Gennaro has logged over 20 years of flight time, accumulating more than 10,000 total hours and roughly 3,000 aerobatic hours. First inspired by Jimmy LeRoy and mentored by Ken Erickson and Bill Stein, De Gennaro considers his proudest accomplishment to be serving as a safety pilot for roughly 30 aviators flying their first IAC contest. Most spectators might be surprised to learn that he manages a severe learning disability, but his dedication to aviation has propelled a deeply fulfilling career.
De Gennaro sums up his identity as a "Son, Husband, Father, Friend, Instructor and Student," emphasizing the grassroots nature of high-level aerobatics. He observes that because there is no significant money in the sport, every pilot must be extraordinarily dedicated to commit the necessary time, finances, and energy to commute, practice, and compete. In his eyes, what separates good pilots from great ones comes down to "practice and integrity". His hold line thoughts transition from "everything and then hopefully nothing," focusing on executing a successful flight. He loves the torque roll because "it’s fun when you can do it all night long," while disliking half snaps because they are "over wayyy too soon". His philosophy for recovering from a bad flight is direct: "Get over it, get on with it, get back in the airplane". Supported by his wife Kristina, De Gennaro encourages fellow aviators and fans to enjoy the journey, take it one step at a time, and "get after it".
Martin "Marty" Flournoy
Veteran competitor Martin "Marty" Flournoy hails from Columbus, Georgia, and competes in an MX2 aircraft. Flournoy brings extensive competitive history to the team, with his first recorded contest in the IAC database dating back to May 2006 at the Sebring Aerobatic contest. Over the past two decades, Flournoy has established himself as one of the most consistent national participants, having attended 14 US National Aerobatic Championships between 2011 and 2025. While his official profile sheet focuses strictly on his aircraft specifications and contest record, his long-standing presence at Nationals highlights his enduring dedication to high-level power aerobatics.
Stanley Moye
Representing Albany, Georgia, Stan Moye competes in an Extra 330SX. Moye's recorded participation in competitive aerobatics spans nearly twenty years, with his initial contest logged at the Keystone Aerobatic Kickoff in March 2006. The current championship marks Moye's 10th appearance at the US National Aerobatic Championships since 2011. Like Flournoy, Moye's submitted profile form highlights his technical setup and competition milestones, reflecting a deep commitment to the sport through a decade of national championship competition.
Meet the Coach, Manager, & Support Crew
IAC: MEET YOUR 2027 US ADVANCED AEROBATIC TEAM, COACH, MANAGER, AND SUPPORT CREW
Adding to the excitement of the already thrilling US National Aerobatic Championships, the 2026 competition was a selection year for the US Advanced Team. The Advanced team will represent the U.S.A. in the 2027 World Aerobatic Championship. The pilot candidate selection for the US Advanced aerobatic team only happens once every two years, alternating with the selection for the US Unlimited aerobatic team every other year. Now with a robust lineup of talented pilots and a strong support network built out of people with passion and the determination to propel this team to victory, the IAC is excited to present TEAM USA.
ONE TEAM. ONE GOAL.
The International Aerobatic Club is pleased to announce A.J. Wilder as coach of the U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team for the upcoming World Advanced Aerobatic Championships campaign. Mary Beth Rudd will serve as team manager.
Wilder brings international competition experience and a strong commitment to helping American pilots perform at their highest level. Having represented the United States in international aerobatic competition, he understands the preparation, discipline, and consistency required to compete against the world’s best.
His approach to coaching is focused on preparation, precision, accountability, and building a team that is ready to perform when it matters most.
Working alongside Rudd, Wilder intends to build a focused, unified program that emphasizes structured training, honest feedback, strong team communication, and preparation for the demands of world-level competition.
The objective is straightforward: give Team USA every opportunity to compete for a world championship while representing the United States and the IAC with pride.
To support our mission, Team USA has assembled a strategically-selected group of people to form the team’s new Support Crew. Composed of several accomplished professionals in training technology, media, medicine, and maintenance, Team USA is excited to introduce the IAC membership to the men and women who will be spearheading the U.S.A.’s pursuit of gold at the world championships.
One team. One goal. The work starts now.
Team Coach - AJ Wilder
Winning at the world level takes more than raw talent—it takes a coach who has lived in the competitive aerobatic environment and understands the psychological precision required to dominate the box. Team USA is proud to announce veteran competitor AJ Wilder as the official Team Coach for the 2027 Advanced World Aerobatic Championship. Bringing over 25 years of aviation experience, an elite competitive pedigree, and a masterclass understanding of aerobatic energy management, Wilder is ready to elevate Team USA's performance to the top of the podium.
AJ Wilder is no stranger to the intense demands of international flight. A highly decorated pilot, he is a multi-time member of both the U.S. Advanced and Unlimited Aerobatic Teams. Pushing boundaries in his high-performance Extra 330SC, famously known as the "Rumble Bee," Wilder has campaigned at top-tier contests across both the United States and Europe. His massive well of experience—navigating complex wind corrections, managing precise gate entries, and handling the psychological pressures of the international stage—gives him direct, firsthand empathy for the pilots under his wing.
Beyond his skills in the cockpit, Wilder brings a highly structured and analytical approach to coaching. In his civilian career, he is a registered architect and President of Wolcott Architecture, a prominent commercial design firm in Los Angeles. This unique architectural mindset translates directly into his coaching philosophy, where he breaks down complex aerial geometry and 3D figures into precise, actionable feedback. Furthermore, his passion for aviation mentorship shines through his work as the Co-Founder of the Figure 1 Foundation, a highly successful non-profit that provides full-flight scholarships and advanced training to young aviators. As Team Coach, Wilder will channel this lifelong dedication to flight education, pushing our pilots to polish their sequences to absolute geometric perfection.
Team Manager: Mary Beth Rudd
An elite aerobatic team requires flawless coordination, rigorous organization, and a leader who understands the sport from the ground up. The International Aerobatic Club is thrilled to introduce Mary Beth Rudd as the official Team Manager for the 2027 Advanced World Aerobatic Championship. Known across the community for her unparalleled dedication, logistics savvy, and sharp operational eye, Mary Beth is the logistical engine that will keep Team USA running smoothly on the international stage.
Mary Beth’s contributions to the sport of aerobatics are monumental. Her lifelong devotion and tireless work behind the scenes earned her the prestigious Frank Price Cup for Greatest Overall Contribution, one of the IAC’s highest non-flying honors. From local competitions to major national events, her administrative footprint is everywhere; she has previously served in critical foundational roles, including Registrar for the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships. Whether coordinating pilot credentials, managing event schedules, or ensuring absolute compliance with complex contest regulations, her leadership guarantees operational excellence.
Mary Beth’s expertise extends directly to the training box. An experienced videographer and data analyst on the flight line, she has spent years filming elite practice sequences alongside renowned coaches to help top-tier pilots critique and polish their figures to absolute perfection. This intimate familiarity with the relentless rhythm of competition training camp makes her uniquely qualified to manage a national team. As Team Manager, Mary Beth will oversee all logistics, international scheduling, and team coordination, providing the structured, supportive environment our pilots need to focus entirely on winning.
Chief of Technology: Dr. Paulo Iscold
Introducing Dr. Paulo Iscold: Chief of Technology for the 2027 U.S. Advanced National Aerobatic Team
In modern aerobatics, the difference between a gold medal and missing the podium comes down to fractions of a degree. To give Team USA a definitive analytical edge, the International Aerobatic Club is proud to appoint Dr. Paulo Iscold as the Chief of Technology for the 2027 Advanced World Aerobatic Championship. An internationally renowned aerospace engineer, professor, and aircraft designer, Dr. Iscold brings his groundbreaking telemetry platform, ACROWRX, directly to the team’s training program to revolutionize the way our pilots fly.
Dr. Iscold’s reputation in the aviation world is legendary. A professor of Aerospace Engineering at California Polytechnic State University, his career is defined by breaking world records and pushing the absolute limits of flight. He has designed multiple world-record-shattering experimental aircraft—most notably the CEA-311 "Anequim," which smashed five world speed records. His brilliant engineering mind caught the attention of the Red Bull Air Race world, where he spent years designing advanced aerodynamics and high-precision telemetry systems to help world-class racing pilots optimize their flight paths down to the millisecond. His immense contributions to the sport earned him the IAC's prestigious Curtis Pitts Cup for outstanding aircraft design and technological innovation.
As Chief of Technology, Dr. Iscold is deploying his crowning achievement in sports telemetry: ACROWRX. Born from his Red Bull racing data modules, ACROWRX is a cutting-edge tracking technology that captures high-fidelity flight data and reconstructs an aerobatic sequence in a precise 3D virtual environment. This revolutionary technology allows the U.S. coaching staff and pilots to instantly view a flight from any angle, revealing minor scoring flaws, radius errors, and attitude deviations that are impossible to spot with the naked eye from the ground. By turning subjective flight tracks into objective, hard data, Dr. Iscold and ACROWRX are giving Team USA an unmatched training asset.
Director of Media: Taylor Mershon
Introducing Taylor Mershon: Director of Media for the 2027 U.S. Advanced National Aerobatic Team
To win on the international stage, a team needs more than just elite pilots—it needs a powerful voice to rally supporters, drive fundraising, and capture the thrill of the journey. The International Aerobatic Club is thrilled to introduce Taylor Mershon as the Director of Media for the 2027 Advanced World Aerobatic Championship. As the current Editor of Sport Aerobatics magazine, Taylor is the creative powerhouse who will spearhead Team USA’s social media footprint, graphic design, promotional advertisements, and vital fundraising campaigns.
Taylor’s passion for aviation is lifelong, stretching back to childhood glider flights with her grandfather and later expanding into professional design work for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). In early 2025, she became the editor of Sport Aerobatics, the IAC’s official member-exclusive publication. In this role, she has revolutionized the organization’s storytelling, seamlessly weaving high-impact graphic design, compelling member highlights, and dynamic visual layouts to connect and inspire aerobatic enthusiasts worldwide. Living the aerobatic life daily alongside her husband, Brooks (one of the 2027 U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team pilots) and his Sukhoi SU-26M, she understands the unique heart, culture, and dedication of the competition community.
As Director of Media, Taylor will lead the charge in bringing the 2027 Advanced Team’s journey to the world. She will oversee all team branding, graphic design, and sponsor outreach, while orchestrating high-energy social media campaigns that give fans a front-row seat to training camps and international box flights. Taylor will supply the materials needed for the team’s promotional and fundraising initiatives, which is required to back the team financially, ensuring our pilots have the resources they need to succeed. With her editorial vision and creative drive, Taylor will make sure Team USA’s pursuit of global gold is unforgettable.
