President's Page - January 2012

by Doug Bartlett

The WAC is Coming to the USA!

The WAC Is Coming to the USA! Snow is already falling up north, and the 2011 competition season is at an end. As we all are winding down for the year to enjoy the holiday season, there is much going on at IAC headquarters. A big piece of news is that the United States will host the 2013 World Aerobatic Championships (WAC) in Jean, Nevada. The best pilots in the world will gather in October of 2013 to compete for gold and the title of World Aerobatic Champion. This is great news for aerobatic enthusiasts and competition pilots alike.

For Unlimited competition pilots, 2012 is the team selection year. Because the WAC will be in the United States, there will be a large group of pilots competing to make the team. There is no doubt we will field a strong men’s team due to the large number of pilots we have competing at this level. How about our women’s team? There is also no doubt that we have many talented female aerobatic pilots in this country. Due to time and money constraints, many of our best female pilots have been on the sidelines in 2011. Well, ladies, your country is calling! It is time to pull out the airplanes, build up the g tolerance, and train, train, train. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to field a strong women’s team for the 2013 WAC?

The volunteer requirements to run a WAC are huge. This is a great opportunity for aerobatic enthusiasts from all over the United States to get involved in the world’s biggest aerobatic event. From contest director to administrative assistants, there are scores of places to lend a hand. You will have plenty of time to watch the best aerobatic flying in the world and get to know competitors and volunteers from other countries. For those interested in volunteering your time, please contact IAC headquarters. Hurry while the best volunteer positions are still available!

There is another place that the IAC will need volunteers. It is at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012, July 23-29. I will be heading up to EAA headquarters soon to work with all of EAA’s special-interest groups on planning for the 2012 event. With new leadership at EAA, it is no surprise that some changes for AirVenture are coming.

One of the changes underway is to pull all divisions closer together in working to support the visitors of AirVenture. Our IAC Pavilion is the best piece of real estate on the entire airport: show center. Each year we try to do more to integrate the IAC into the daily activities that are provided for our guests. This year we will work with EAA to bring pilots and aviation enthusiasts closer to the aerobatic aircraft and those who pilot them through their most strenuous maneuvers. One of the activities we are requesting is to bring all show pilots to our pavilion for “meet and greet” sessions before or after they fly for the audience. We would like to make the pavilion “air show center.”

Over the next several years the IAC will work with EAA to take an active part in the daily air show by providing a new and fresh look at aerobatics as a sport. We will take steps to show interested individuals, men and women and children alike, that aerobatics is just another step in the progression of a pilot. We want to encourage aerobatics in a safe and formal setting. And of course, we want this focus to take place at the IAC and at the IAC Pavilion, where we can guide the individuals on a safe and fun path to our kind of flying. Along with showing that these skill are reachable by all, the IAC would like to create a better experience for AirVenture visitors by giving them a daily opportunity to meet IAC members and to view the machines we command.

Enhancing IAC’s AirVenture participation and having the 2013 World Aerobatic Championships in the United States will provide many opportunities for members at all levels to be involved with the sport over the next several years. For those interested in getting involved, there has never been a better time than now to throw your hat in the ring.

Next month I will bring the membership up to date on the opportunities the IAC has to support a reality TV show focused on aerobatics. Until then, take these winter months to get your sleigh in top condition for the coming aero year. Fly safely and keep your Mach up.