With deep sadness we share the news of the passing of Tom Adams, IAC #1999, of Brenham, Texas.

Tom learned to fly by training with his father and helped pay for college by dusting crops in a 450 Stearman. He served in the Marine Aviation Cadet program in Pensacola, flying A-4D Skyhawks, and eventually began a 32-year career with Northwest Airlines. Adams retired as a captain on the 747-400 after logging time in more than 100 different aircraft types.

His aerobatic career began with a self-built Pitts S-1C for use in regional IAC contests. He has earned multiple competition…

In his May 2nd news release Jack J. Pelton, EAA's CEO and Chairman of the Board, announced that AirVenture 2020 had to be canceled. With Wisconsin still under Safer at Home orders through May 26th, preparations with staff and volunteers were unable to proceed. Due to COVID-19 current phasing-in guidelines, no one can predict when Wisconsin will be at a point that AirVenture meets the all clear Phase 3 milestone for mass gatherings with restrictions.

On May 6th, CIVA President Nick Buckenham announced that the 2020 World Advanced Aerobatic Championships will be postponed until 2021. Originally scheduled to be held in August in the Czech Republic, the coronavirus pandemic has caused the cancellation or postponement of most FAI air sports events this year including aerobatic championships.

The U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team was making plans for training camps and practice and participation in the WAAC up until the pandemic broke out throughout the world. However, all eight team pilots have committed to competing in the 2021…