By Dr. Joseph McMurray, IAC 441329
The 2025 NorCal Classic Aerobatic Contest was held May 30–31 at Tracy Municipal Airport (KTCY), bringing together 45 pilots to compete under scorching skies and celebrate a shared passion for precision flying. Hosted by IAC Chapter 38, our contest continues to grow as one of the most vibrant and welcoming events—not just on the West Coast, but across the entire competitive aerobatic circuit.
Tracy Municipal Airport (KTCY) in California’s Central Valley proved to be an outstanding host venue, offering long runways, an open layout, and excellent visibility for both pilots and spectators. The weekend brought extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 110°F both days and an official heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service. Contest leadership took the conditions seriously — making pilots aware of the risks of heat exhaustion and providing access to shade tents, AC and hydration stations. Despite the punishing weather, the contest remained safe, efficient, and fully flyable, thanks to strong coordination and unwavering volunteer support.
Photography (including photo at top) by Joshua Lapum
The NorCal Classic featured five categories of competition—Primary through Unlimited—welcoming a wide range of pilots, from first-time contestants flying their debut Known sequence to seasoned veterans in the Unlimited category. To encourage new participation, the entry fee was reduced for first-time Primary competitors, along with mentorship support to help them get started. While a Four-Minute Freestyle event was originally scheduled, it was ultimately canceled due to high temperatures and time constraints, a decision made to prioritize safety and efficient scheduling.
Contest Directors Dean Hickman-Smith and Jake Carter led the event with professionalism and poise, supported by the tireless efforts of IAC Chapter 38 volunteers.
Special thanks to:
Chief Judges: Tom Myers and Chris Combs
Air Bosses: Joe McMurray and Cory Lovell
Countless volunteers who contributed to tech inspections, boundary judging, registration, hospitality, and more.
Photography by Joshua Lapum.
Photography by/photos provided by Dr. Joe McMurray.
Community Connection
One of the standout aspects of the 2025 NorCal Classic was the genuine support and hospitality shown by the City of Tracy. From start to finish, the community embraced the contest, with Tracy Municipal Airport not only serving as an ideal aerobatic venue but also as a hub of local engagement.
On Saturday, May 31, the contest coincided with a City of Tracy Open House, transforming the airport into a celebration of aviation. Food trucks, static displays of aerobatic aircraft, and a long line of excited visitors created a family-friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Community members were escorted on guided ramp tours, where several pilots—many fresh off a sequence —took the time to meet visitors, answer questions, and share their passion for aerobatics.
We were also fortunate to have Juan Browne, aviation YouTube personality and creator of the Blancolirio channel, as our guest MC. Juan kept spectators informed and entertained, offering real-time commentary on who was flying and what they were performing. He also delivered an engaging summary of the IAC’s history and the world of competitive aerobatics, helping bridge the gap between performers and the public.
Photos provided by Dr. Joe McMurray.
In addition to his emcee duties, Juan captured the event on video—including a guided ramp tour and a one-on-one interview with Sean D. Tucker. You can watch his coverage on his popular YouTube channel, Blancolirio, for a firsthand look at the contest experience. This kind of community outreach is central to our mission at IAC 38 and to the future of aerobatics. We want the public not only to enjoy what they see, but to understand that we are a safety-conscious, respectful community that values being welcomed into towns like Tracy. Events like this show that when we open the hangar doors—literally and figuratively—aviation has the power to inspire, connect, and uplift.
Scores
Primary
1st: Chloe Le Lievre
2nd: Oleksandr Brovarny
3rd: Zhenxiang Wen
Sportsman
1st: Jake Carter
2nd: Christopher Rudd
3rd: Michael Mainiero
Intermediate
1st: Casey Siebel
2nd: Brian Pham
3rd: Sean D. Tucker
Advanced
1st: Brooks Mershon
2nd: Bret Davenport
3rd: Josh Horwich
Unlimited
1st: AJ Wilder
2nd: Ekaterina Volkova
3rd: Mark Cunningham
Photography by Joshua Lapum.
The Banquet
The emotional highlight of the weekend came during the awards banquet, held at the world-famous Patriots Jet Foundation Hangar in Byron, CA—a spectacular venue surrounded by L-39s, MiGs, and living aviation history. There, Sean D. Tucker delivered an inspirational speech that energized the room and reminded both seasoned competitors and first-time pilots why we fly—and why we return. He spoke about the foundational role contest flying played in his early career, emphasizing how the IAC's commitment to discipline, safety, and skill-building not only shaped his flying but also his mindset as a professional aviator. His message made clear that aerobatics isn't just about thrill—it's about precision, purpose, and responsibility. It had been 37 years since Sean last competed, when he won the U.S. Nationals Advanced category—a defining moment that helped launch his legendary airshow career. Coming back to the IAC after nearly four decades, he reflected on how meaningful it was to be welcomed home by the very community that gave him his start.
His message landed with everyone in the hangar: our aerobatic community may be small, but it’s strong—and we look out for each other, support one another, and inspire the next generation through shared passion and mentorship. Even with temperatures spiking to 115°F, the 2025 NorCal Classic ran smoothly, a testament to the commitment of our organizers and volunteers. This event wasn’t just about flying —it was about coming home, honoring the past, and building the future of aerobatics.
Photography by Dr. Joe McMurray.
Photo provided by Dr. Joe McMurray.
