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Officer/Director Nominations Sought for 2026

If you or an IAC member you know is interested in running for an…

An update to the 2026 Rule Book is now available as Revision B.  The revisions address competitor qualifications in paragraphs 4.3.2 and 4.3.3, as well as safety pilot qualifications in a new 4.5.2 (with subsequent 4.5 paragraphs renumbered).  The (now-numbered) paragraph 4.5.4 was also updated.  Only the title page and page 3 were altered in Revision B.

Barrett Hines
Rule Committee Chair
ruleschair@iac.org

You can access the…

The 2026 Grading Judges and Judges R&C Exams are both available and you can access the tests here:   

https://www.iac.org/exam/2026-judges-revalidation-currency-exam

https://www.iac.org/exam/2026-grading-judge-exam

Just click "Take quiz" below the title banner after reading the instructions.

If you prefer to work offline, the printable files are available as well here:

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In the Loop is back for 2026 as In the Loop, reinvented; an IAC-hosted video series premiering as a collection of aerobatic aircraft walk-around tours. We are excited to present the first episode of the series: the January 2026 ITL video- an exploration of the Pitts S-1SX by Bret Davenport. 

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The 2026 contest season is rapidly approaching, and we need judges!

While the Judges School calendar is filling up, we realize that not everyone can attend one of these classes.

For those unable to attend an in-person class, the IAC is offering an online option again this year.

The online judge training will be held Saturday, 28 February from 10 AM to 4 PM CT and Sunday, 1 March from 10 AM to 5 PM CT.

Details, and the link to pre-register (required), can be found here:

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There has been a minor change of wording to the 2026 IAC Rule Book.

The most current version is 2026 IAC Rule Book Rev A. Members can reference this version…

The 2026 edition of the IAC Contest Rules is now available to members HERE. You can also access the rule book by clicking "Rules" in the dropdown menu under the "Compete" tab at the top of the IAC website.

Most of the rule changes are a direct result of your input - Thanks for the support!  Thirty-six proposals were submitted by members.  After these were published, other members provided valuable comments.  The Rules Committee discussed each proposal and associated comments in depth, then provided…

Ladies Love Taildraggers is now accepting scholarship applications for two tailwheel endorsements.  Training for these endorsements will take place at Kendra Hart's flight school, Full Deflection.  

The application deadline is March 1st, 2026 with interviews being held throughout the month of March.  The scholarship winners will be announced at 2026 Sun 'n Fun in April.  Scan the QR code on the graphic below to apply! 

Minimum requirements to apply:

• Must be female
• Must be 18 years of age or older by April 15th, 2026…

By Bob Freeman, IAC 8532

2025 NPSC Announcement - The National Point Series Championship (The Leo Trophy) per P&P 227
The NPSC Trophy is named in honor of Leo Loudenslager and recognizes the highest ranking pilots in each category that fly in at least three different IAC regions in a competition year.  NPSC Champions are named in each of the 5 IAC Power Categories.  1st Place winners get Trophies, Recognition letters and stickers along with announcement in the magazine and their names added to the permanent Leo trophy which is on display in Oshkosh…

The IAC is grieved to learn of the passing of Betty Stewart, IAC 1992, on November 23, 2025. Bob “Bwana” Buckley, IAC 9903, called Betty “Colorado [IAC] Chapter 12’s two-time World Aerobatic Champion, consecutive (’80 & ’82),” and credits her for getting him into IAC originally, saying she “elevated [him] to the pinnacle of aerobatics – a Pitts Pilot/Owner - from back in the mid 70’s.”

Mike Heuer, IAC 4, said, “I’ve known Betty since about 1976. Attached is one photo of several I have of her with the team in 1976. Probably one of the most difficult world championships our teams…