There has been some confusion over the Unknowns that will be flown at Nationals by Advanced and Unlimited category pilots.  In the case of Advanced, competitors will fly one "Free Unknown".  Both Unlimited Unknowns that are on the schedule now will also be "Free Unknowns".  This is in accordance with IAC's Policy and Procedures manual (sections 503 and 504) and puts the Nationals in full compliance with IAC Board policy. 

The Free Unknowns are one of the most interesting aspects of the Nationals and have been used in world competition for several years.  The top 10 pilots of each…

We've seen Ephrata Washington earlier this year, when we wrote about the Apple Cup. It's a contest location about as far north and west as you can get in the lower forty-eight. The Fall contest at Ephrata, the Apple Turnover, had reported awesome weather. Says Contest Director Peggy Reidinger, "Not a cloud to be found the entire weekend, and the temperature was perfect."

Read something about The Apple Turnover

On the first weekend in September, the IAC Chapter 126 Buffalo Wings hosted their contest at Olean, NY.

Read from Hella Comat about the Bill Thomas at Olean.

Some of the problems that have afflicted the US Nationals in years past are being eliminated this year as IAC invests more resources into the event to upgrade its quality.

Gray Brandt, Contest Director, has commissioned the construction of new boundary judge sighting devices and these are being completed in California.  They will offer sturdy and stable sighting capability for decades to come. 

New radios, along with a repeater, will be leased this year and in use to prevent the communications problems we have had in the past when judges are located on the west side of the…

The Contest Jury for the US Nationals has been finalized.  The Jury will be chaired by veteran IAC member and pilot Bob Meyer of Tehachapi, California.  Bob has been an active judge and competitor for many years and brings experience, judgement, and diplomatic skills to the assignment.  The Jury at Nationals is very active throughout the contest, unlike at most regional competitions, as it is charged with oversight of the key operational areas of the contest as well as administering the Unknowns, which in Advanced and Unlimited categories are formulated on site.  Unlimited also flies a "…