Though aviation authorities in many countries have established formal certification criteria for aerobatic instructors, the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) contain no provisions for a specific “aerobatic instructor” rating or certification. Given the success of industry-based programs such as the NAFI Master Instructor Program and the ICAS Aerobatic Competency Evaluation (ACE) Program, the National Association of Flight Instructors and the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) have jointly developed a broad — and strictly voluntary — aerobatic instruction designation program.
… Read moreNovember 15, 2007
Debby Rihn-Harvey is an aerobatic competency evaluator for the International Council of Air Shows and an FAA designated pilot examiner who administers flight exams for private pilot through airline transport pilot certificates. In September 2006, Debby became the highest-ranked overall aerobatic competitor in the United States. She has been the women’s National Champion nine times and is the longest standing member of the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team. During her 25 years with the team, Debby has represented the United States in 13 World Aerobatic Championships in North…
Read moreNovember 15, 2007
William “Bill” Kershner spent a lifetime teaching the art of flying, particularly aerobatics. He was an educator and ardent promoter of aerobatics and personally taught aerobatics to more than 600 pilots. He was a guest lecturer at the University of Tennessee Space Institute in Tullahoma, Tennessee, lectured and demonstrated spins to engineers and test pilots at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent, Maryland, and lectured at the FBI Academy. His training manuals, including The Student Pilot’s Flight Manual and The Basic Aerobatic Manual, have sold more than 1.3 million copies. The…
Read moreOctober 7, 2007
The FAA has approved an exemption requested by EAA on behalf of the International Aerobatic Club allowing IAC pilots greater operating flexibility when making practice and competition flights at contest sites, and removing a requirement that the aircraft flight manual be in the plane when practicing or competing.
A two-year exemption (through September 30, 2009) was granted allowing IAC pilots participating in IAC-sanctioned aerobatic competitions to carry less than the VFR fuel requirements under certain conditions. Fuel…
Read moreMarch 6, 2007
EAA and IAC are continuing their work on the complex issues surrounding waivered aerobatic training and competition areas with FAA officials. During a meeting last week, discussion centered on two areas: Policy surrounding application for the issuance and approval of waivered aerobatic practice areas and contest boxes (known as Chapter 48 of the FAA Inspector’s Handbook), and the Environmental Information Document (EID), which will figure prominently in those applications. Attending were Doug Macnair, EAA vice president of government relations, and Vicki Cruse, president of the…
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