This is a brief update on the proposed, provisional category, formerly called “Project M.” The new category has been renamed Masters, and will be voted on for provisional inclusion in the 2027 contest year as a provisional category.
The goals of this category are several, but include:
- Create more runway for a competition career that does not necessarily seek advanced/unlimited flying as an ultimate goal destination.
- Allow space for legacy aircraft to perform at their own level
- To tie performance to a known capability within a substantial part of the US aerobatic fleet, making competition more accessible, sustainable and engaging to the needs of a broader audience.
As we developed the catalog, we used the-mid point in K values as a reference point, but also sought to include the performance limitations of the S-2B. That aircraft is still the reference aircraft for Advanced, according the IAC policies and procedures manual (“PnP”) but we have seen declining participation from these legacy airframes. In creating this category, the committee sought to bring back reference aircraft in an explicit way.
Additionally, the committee sought to further introduce negative G as is occasionally seen in Intermediate, but there will be no hard pushes. The allowable rolls in many instances, effectively split the difference between Intermediate and Advanced, which you will see manifested in limitations on rolls, point rolls, and roll combinations, as well as permitted rolls on specific lines of base figures.
Future proposed development we hope will be assigned to a new ad-hoc committee will explore making Intermediate more attractive to Decathlons and tying Advanced to CIVA level.
Category Summary:
- Floor: 800 ft
- Penalties:
- Out 15
- Interruption 35
- Jury pentalty 150
- High 15
- Low (100 ft): 90
- Low Low (200 ft): zero performance
- Known ~240K
- Free- 15 figures, 240 max K
- Freestyle Diversity: Masters
-
a) Family 1 At least one b) Family 5 At least one c) Family 7 At least one d) Family 8 At least one e) Family 9 At least one Aileron Roll from each sub-Family (9.1, 9.4, 9.8). f) At least one Snap Roll (9.9 thru 9.10). g) At least one Snap Roll (9.9 thru 9.10). h) Other At least one figure must contain opposite Aileron or Snap Rolls (9.1 thru 9.10) not in combination with a Spin. - Repetition - Masters may use 1.1.1.x a maximum of two times.
- Unknown - 8-12 figures max k 220
- A minimum of 1 and a maximum of 2 snap rolls.
- Rolls are not permitted on any downline containing a spin.
- Unlinked rolls are permitted, but only on straight horizontal lines with a maximum of 4 stops per line.
A summary of this proposal that was presented at AirVenture 2026 can be viewed here.
