It was my honor to sponsor the pins for the U.S. Air Force Academy cadets (and trainers) for achievements accomplished during the 2021 contest season and at the 2022 US Unlimited and Advanced Glider National Aerobatic Championships and Estrella Classic Glider contest.
The Achievement Awards program was conceived in 1970 by Verne Jobst, IAC President at that time, with many years as a glider pilot. Verne wanted a equivalent to the popular soaring badges. He, Bob Davis and Mike Heuer completed the set of rules in May 1971. The first pilot to qualify for an award was 16-year-old Debbie Forshee, from Louisiana, who flew for the Basic Patch. In the Fall of 2006, the IAC Board approved a design of a new Achievement Award, in a series of pins and accompanying decals.
Each category is represented by a different color. Smooth awards and stars awards, with stars in the concentric circle, were designed. Aerobatic competitors can earn achievement awards that signify the level of proficiency obtained in aerobatic flight. There are two types of achievement awards available: Smooth Awards and Stars Awards.
Smooth awards are earned by flying a designated set of figures in front of a judge or by flying with a qualified CFI who gives them a qualifying grade.
Star awards must be earned while flying competition aerobatics at an IAC sanctioned contest.
Awards are available for powered aircraft and gliders. More details about the program and a roster of all achievement award recipients can be found online here: https://www.iac.org/legacy/achievement-awards
