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 2nd and 3rd Place winners get Recognition letters and stickers and are announced in the magazine.
Why Use Ranking Points Vs. Average Percentage Scored?
NPSC points are based on a ranking point system rather than raw scores or percentages. This year the rankings result from the capture and calculation of the contest scores submitted to the IACCDB. Thanks to DJ Molny, this is now an automatic process as contest results are posted throughout the year. To illustrate ranking, higher ranking points are awarded to a competitor that ranks high in a large competitor field. Finishing 1st in the standings in a field of 20 pilots (US Nationals for example) should and does earn higher NPSC points than finishing 1st in a field of only 3 pilots. The purpose of the ranking point system to minimize the effects of varying weather conditions, use or lack of boundary judges, etc... between contests, judges and regions. Each ranking is based only on the actual conditions faced by each competitor in front of and judged by the same judges at the event in which those pilots are ranked.
The 2025 National Point Series Championship Results
The 2025 season saw an increase in pilots meeting the 3 region criteria for competing for the National Point Series Championship and the Annual Leo Trophies. As a reminder, the NPSC is a National point series comprised of ranking points for pilots that fly in at least 3 different IAC regions. It is no small commitment to fly in 3 different IAC regions and this series recognizes those who rank highly in doing so across the nation. Pilots meeting that criteria are ranked at the end of the season by averaging the ranking points they earned in their best contests in those 3 regions. NPSC titles and trophies are awarded in Primary, Sportsman, Intermediate, Advanced and Unlimited. Bob Freeman, Tim Just and Tom Rhodes sponsor this series and trophies.
Per the IACCDB, we had 60 Primary Pilots that flew at various contests throughout the year. What a great barometer for the future of our sport! Of those 60 pilots, eleven flew in 2 different regions and this year, one pilot flew in 3 different regions, making him the 1st Primary Pilot to qualify for (and win) the Primary NPSC title. The vast majority of Primary pilots fly multiple contests within their home region. At the entry level of our sport, Primary pilots face the biggest challenge in getting to 3 regions and having access to an airplane. Hopefully next year we'll see more Primary Pilots fly in 3 regions. Congratulations to Aaron Balog for earning an average NPSC ranking of 59.26, having flown in the Apple Cup (NW), Kyle Scott Dust Up (SC) and Akfrofest (SW) contests.
In our biggest category, as in 2023 and 2024, 131 Sportsman pilots flew in IAC contests in 2025! Of these, 22 pilots flew in two regions and five pilots flew in 3 regions. This year's NPSC Sportsman winner is long time member Chris Rudd, having earned an amazing 92.78 average ranking points. Chris flew in the Corvalis Corkscrew (NW), US Nationals (SC) and Mark Fullerton Memorial (SE) contests. Second place in Sportsman goes to Chris Forero averaging 90.19 points. He flew in the Nancy Lynn Open (NE), the US Nataionals (SC) and 89th Sebring (SE) contests. Third place goes to Ryan Tierney with and average of 73.61 points. He flew in the Green Mountain (NE), US Nationals (SC) and 89th Sebring (SE) contests.
This year's Intermediate category saw an increase to 83 competitors up from 67 in 2023. Of those, ten pilots flew in two regions and 8 pilots flew in three regions. This year's NPSC Intermediate winner is Casey Siebel with an impressive average of 91.07 points. He flew in the Corvallis Corkscrew (NW), Mark Fullerton Memorial (SE) and the Hammerhead Roundup (SW) contests. Second place goes to Wayne Forbes with an 87.78 average. He flew in the Michigan Open (MA), Torrington Tailslide (NW, where he was a 1st time CD at a 1st time location!) and the US Nationals (SC) contests. Third place goes to Trevor Smith, last year's Sportsman NPSC Champion, with an 84.4 average. He flew at the Giles Henderson (MA), Lone Star (SC)and 89th Sebring (SE) contests.
Forty seven Advanced Pilots flew in IAC contests this year down from 52 in 2024. Of these, 14 pilots flew in 2 regions and 2 pilots flew in 3 regions. This year's NPSC Advanced winner is David Taylor, repeating his win in 2024, with an average of 59.78 points. Dave made a big move from his G200, to fly an MX in 2025. Dave flew in the Nancy Lynn Open (NE), US Nationals (SC) and 89th Sebring (SE) contests. In 2nd place this year is long time IACer, volunteer and competitor, Barret Hines with an average of 39.7 NPSC points. He flew in the Corvallis Corkscrew (NW), US Nationals (SC) and Duel In The Desert (SW) contests.
We had 24 Unlimited pilots enter contests across the country this year, up from 22 in 2024. Five of these pilots flew in 2 regions and three pilots flew in 3 different regions. This year's NPSC Unlimited Champion is repeat US Unlimited Team pilot AJ Wilder. He flew in an incredible 10 contests in 2025 with the three highest scores in three different regions coming from the Giles Henderson (MA), US Nationals (SC) and NorCal Classic (SW). Second place was earned by last year's NPSC Unlimited Champion and 2026 Unlimited team member, Ekaterina Volkova. She was also the 2nd place finisher in the 2023 NPSC Advanced category. She flew in 9 contests in 2025 with her best 3 contest regions being the Apple Cup (NW), US Nationals (SC) and Mark Fullerton Memorial (SE). Third place goes to Rob Bond, 1st time qualifying for the NPSC in Unlimited, flying an Extra 300L. He earned an average of 21.67 points flying in the Giles Henderson (MA), US Nationals (SC) and Mark Fullerton Memorial (SE) contests.
2025 NPSC Winner Summary
Primary 1st: Aaron Balog
Sportsman 1st: Chris Rudd 2nd: Chris Forero 3rd: Ryan Tierney
Intermediate 1st: Casey Siebel 2nd: Wayne Forbes 3rd: Trevor Smith
Advanced 1st: David Taylor 2nd: Barret Hines
Unlimited 1st: AJ Wilder 2nd: Ekaterina Volkova 3rd: Rob Bond
Congratulations to everyone on a successful 2025 season! For those on the fence about flying a 3rd region, just do it. You may get your name on the National Trophy!
