Series Map | Series Information| Results | Chapter photo galleries
Lone Star | Midwest Aerobatic Championships | Harold Neuman Barnstormer | Hotpoxia Fest Ben Lowell Aerial Confrontation | Hammers over Hondo
2023 Regional Series contests - South Central Region Update
AT A GLANCE: Regional series standings (LINK). A reminder, competitors must fly 3 contests to qualify for the regional series. The U.S. National Aerobatic Championships may serve as a wild card for all regions. To encourage chapter participation, competitors are required to be a member of the chapter in the region in which they are competing for this series.
As of July 11, 2023, there have been three contests completed in this region. There is one pilot that has qualified for the regional series at this point in the year:
Intermediate : Craig Fitgerald
MIDWEST AEROBATIC CHAMPIONSHIP
June 25, 2023
Congratulations to IAC chapter 80 on the successful and fun contest in June! Fifteen competitors were able to participate at the Seward, Nebraska (KSWT) contest.
All the scores are available here: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/848
HAROLD NEUMANN BARNSTORMER
June 16, 2023
Congratulations to IAC chapter 15 on the successful and fun contest in June! Fifteen competitors were able to participate at the Ottawa, Kansas (KOWI) contest.
All the scores are available here: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/831
LONE STAR AEROBATIC CHAMPIONSHIP
May 2023
John OstmeyerI spent the weekend in Graham, Texas flying the Lonestar Aerobatic Contest. The Chapter 24 crowd put on a great show that will be hard to top. I was amazed by the support of the city. I turned around Saturday morning from the judge's line and there was a crowd of about 100 people watching from the grass and another 30 or so in the parking lot across the street. I have never seen spectators like that at a contest, including the Nationals! It was a great time hanging out with old and new friends, really a throwback to what contests used to be. Oh, and I managed to bring home some hardware and add to my belt buckle collection. I may need to start going to rodeos so I can wear these somewhere!"
2022 Regional Series contests -South Central Region Update
AT A GLANCE: Regional series standings (LINK). A reminder, competitors must fly 3 contests to qualify for the regional series. The U.S. National Aerobatic Championships may serve as a wild card for all regions. To encourage chapter participation, competitors are required to be a member of the chapter in the region in which they are competing for this series.
As of October 30, the Northeast Region had completed all of their 2022 contests. The following are the unofficial leaders scores, which will be ratified, and an announcement will be released at a later date.
South Central region qualified leaders are;
- Primary: 1st place Cody Brown - contests flown - Clyde Cable, High Planes Hotpoxia, Ben Lowell Aerial Confrontation, U.S. Nationals
- 2nd place: Haley Brinson - contests flown - High Planes Hotpoxia, Ben Lowell Aerial Confrontational, U.S. Nationals
- 3rd place: Andrew Fisher - contests flown - High Planes Hotpoxia, Ben Lowell Aerial Confrontational, U.S. Nationals
- Sportsman: 1st place Phillip Gragg - contests flown - MAC80 50th Anniversary, Harold Neumann Barnstormer, U.S. Nationals
- 2nd place: Ryan Tierney - contests flown - Clyde Cable, High Planes Hotpoxia, Ben Lowell Aerial Confrontational, U.S. Nationals
- 3rd place: Dylan Beal - contests flown - Clyde Cable, High Planes Hotpoxia, Ben Lowell Aerial Confrontational, U.S. Nationals
- Intermediate: 1st place Doug Jenkins - contests flown - Clyde Cable, MAC80, Harold Neumann, Lone Star, Hammers Over Hondo
- Intermediate: 2nd place Jamie Treat - contests flown - Clyde Cable, Harold Neumann, High Planes Hotpoxia, Ben Lowell Aerial Contfontational
- Intermediate: 3rd place Mark Steward - contests flown - Clyde Cable, Harold Neumann, High Planes Hotpoxia, Ben Lowell Aero Confrontational
- Advanced: 1st place Mike Gallaway - contests flown - Harold Neumann, Lone Star, Hammers over Hondo, U.S. Nationals
- Advanced: 2nd place John Ostmeyer - contests flown - MAC80, Lone Star Aerobatic Championships, U.S. Nationals
- Advanced: 3rd place Nick Slabakov - contests flown - Clyde Cable, High Planes Hotpoxia, Ben Lowell Aerial Confrontational
- Unlimited: 1st place Dick Fennell- contests flown - Clyde Cable, MAC80 50th Anniversary, High Planes Hotpoxia
As of 7-12-22 two competitors have qualified for the South Central Region: Doug Jenkins in the Intermediate Power Category and Craig Fitzerald in the Advanced Power category.
| ✓ | 1 | Douglas Jenkins | 78.06% | ||
| MAC80 50th Anniversary Championships | 4275.44 | 5610 | 76.21% | ||
| Harold Neumann Barnstormer | 4514.64 | 5890 | 76.65% | ||
| Lone Star Aerobatic Championships | 4683.00 | 5760 | 81.30% | ||
| ✓ | 1 | Craig Fitzgerald | 70.93% | ||
| MAC80 50th Anniversary Championships | 6969.50 | 9340 | 74.62% | ||
| Harold Neumann Barnstormer | 6806.79 | 9440 | 72.11% | ||
| Lone Star Aerobatic Championships | 4169.70 | 6520 | 63.95% | ||
APRIL 2022 - TEXAS EARLY BIRD
CONTEST DATES: APRIL 29-MAY 1
CANCELED
https://www.iac.org/contest/2022-04-29-texas-early-bird
MAY 2022 - LONE STAR AEROBATIC CHAMPIONSHIPS
We are back at North Texas Regional, and we hope that you are too. We are ordering the famous belt buckles for the contest. Truly a chick magnet.
CONTEST DATES: May 20-21 Pre-register HERE: https://www.iac.org/contest/2022-05-20-lone-star-aerobatic-championships
JUNE 2022 - MAC80 50th ANNIVERSARY CHAMPIONSHIPS
In 2022, the Midwest Aerobatic Club - MAC80 - will celebrate 50 years of competition! From our beginnings at the Council Bluffs Airport to Clarinda and Harlan, Iowa, and finally our home in Seward, Nebraska, MAC80 has hosted countless Spring Sportsman Only contests and 5-category contests. For 2022, we want everyone to celebrate with us as we host a ZERO ENTRY FEE CONTEST! Dates are 10-12 June 2022 with practice on Thursday 9 June. Watch our facebook page for current info and email if you have questions at lynn.bowes [at] hotmail.com
https://www.iac.org/contest/2022-06-10-mac80-50th-anniversary-champions…
JUNE 2022 - HAROLD NEUMANN BARNSTORMER
If you were there last year then you know what a great contest this is! The Harold Neumann Barnstormer is back again for 2022! Dates are going to be June 24-25 with the 23rd being a practice day. Contest location: Ottawa Municipal Airport, Kansas (KOWI)
https://www.iac.org/contest/2022-06-24-harold-neumann-barnstormer
JULY 2022 - HIGH PLANES HOTPOXIA FEST
Please come join us for the seventh consecutive HPHF in Colorado! We have a good time, and everyone is welcome! Contest dates: July 15-17, 2022. Fort Morgan, CO (KFMM). Primary through Unlimited Power categories and discount for Students.
https://www.iac.org/contest/2022-07-15-high-planes-hotpoxia-fest
AUGUST 2022 - BEN LOWELL AERIAL CONFRONTATIONAL
IAC chapter 12 hosts the Ben Lowell Aerial Confrontational at the Sterling Municipal Airport (KSTK) in Sterling, Colorado. Don't miss this Power and Glider aerobatic contest!
Contest dates are August 19-20. Pre-register: https://www.iac.org/contest/2022-08-19-ben-lowell-aerial-confrontationa…;
SEPTEMBER 2022 - HAMMERS OVER HONDO
Great news aerobatic enthusiasts. Hammerfest 2022 is a go, although with a new name to reflect our new home...Hammers Over Hondo! Chapter 107 is again hosting our contest but this time at a new location...Hondo, Texas (KHDO).
Practice and registration will be on Thursday, 15 September 2022. Contest flying will be on Friday, 16 September 2022 (all day) and Saturday, 17 September 2022
Pre-register: https://www.iac.org/contest/2022-09-16-hammers-over-hondo
2021 Regional Series contests -South Central Region Update
AT A GLANCE: South Central regional series standings *A reminder, competitors must fly 3 contests to qualify for the regional series. The U.S. National Aerobatic Championships may serve as a wild card for all regions.
- Primary: 1st place - Dylan Beal; Clyde Cable, High Planes, IAC West Open and U.S. Nationals
- 2nd place - Nina Stewart; Clyde Cable, High Planes, IAC West Open and U.S. Nationals
- 3rd place - Haley Brinson; Clyde Cable, High Planes, IAC West Open and U.S. Nationals
- Sportsman: 1st place - Michael Hoy; Lone Star, Harold Neumann Barnstormer and U.S. Nationals
- Sportsman: 2nd place - Emerson Beinhauer; Clyde Cable, High Planes, IAC West Open, Midwest Aerobatic Championships, Harold Neumann and U.S. Nationals
- Sportsman: 3rd place - Ryan Tierney; Clyde Cable, High Planes,IAC West Open, U.S. Nationals
- Intermediate: 1st place - Craig Fitzgerald; Lone Star, Midwest Aerobatic Championship, Harold Neumann and U.S. Nationals
- 2nd place: Doug Jenkins; Clyde Cable, Lone Star, Early Bird, Harold Neumann and Hill Country Hammerfest
- 3rd place Tom Rhodes; Lone Star, Harold Neumann and U.S. Nationals
- Advanced: 1st Place - Julia Wood; Lone Star, Early Bird, Harold Neumann, Hill Country Hammerfest and U.S. Nationals
- 2nd place : Klayton Kirkland; Lone Star Early Bird, Harold Neumann, Hill Country Hammerfest
- 3rd place: David Prather; High Planes Hotpoxia, Lone Star, IAC West Open, Early Bird Hill Country and U.S. Nationals
July 16, 2021
High Planes Hotpoxia Fest starts tomorrow - Saturday July 17-18 in Fort Morgan, Co (KFMM)!
30 pilots are pre-registered. MSU is bringing 6 collegiate competitors; 4 of which are first time competitors. Welcome to competition!
Contest details can be found at: https://www.iac.org/contest/2021-07-17-high-planes-hotpoxia-fest
July 11, 2021
By Julia Wood
Third Place James Grenfell
MIDWEST AEROBATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
July 1, 2021
Congratulations to the team from University of North Dakota (UND) for their domination in the Primary category! All were first-time competitors;
1st place-Daniel Shanahan, 2nd place Christopher Webber and 3rd place Andrew Coughlin.
The weather wasn't friendly, but all categories managed to get in two flights each after the clouds cleared. In the Sportsman category, David Lutes was the clear first place finisher with a score of 83.54%. This win moved him up in the regional series to first place. Both Philip Gragg, flying a Pitts S-2A and Sara Arnold, flying an ACA Decathlon gave him a run for his money with finishing scores of 81.90% and 81.81%.
A very tight race was on for Craigh Fitzgerald, flying an Extra 300L, and Michael Lents (UND coach), flying the flight school's ACA Super Decathlon. Mike won the Known flight with a score of 84.64% over Craig's 2nd place finish of 82.81%. There was a reversal of fortune in the next flight - the Freestyle with Craig scoring 87.63% and Mike finishing in second in that flight with a score of 85.78%. The final score - 85.24% to 85.21%!!!! It doesn't get much closer than that!
The Advanced category was another tight scoring category with Dave Watson in his MX2 coming out in first with 72.80% and Shaun Brautigan in his Extra 330SC finishing in second place with a score of 71.19%.
Doug Roth, flying his Staudaucher S-300 won first place in the Unlimted category over Dick Fennell in his MX2.
ALL scores are posted at: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/747
June 5, 2021
The MAC80 contesst kicks off with registration and practice on Thursday June 24. Contest begins Friday after the noon briefing and continues through Sunday June 27 if needed.
As of today, there are fourteen competitors pre-registered with two of them being Unlimited competitors - so this will be a five category contest! It's not too late to register! Use the link: Contests | International Aerobatic Club (iac.org)
With two South Central region contests under his belt, previous second place, in the So Central Region, Sportsman Pilot, David Valaer will see if he can reclaim his lead. Of the Sportsman currently registered, David Lutes will keep David V. on his toes. David L. placed 3rd over David V.'s fourth place finish at the Lone Star contest.
In the Intermediate category Craig Fitzgerald won first place at the Lone Star contest and Tom Rhodes placed fourth. In the mix will be Justin Hickson who last flew in 2019 at the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships. The last time Justin competed at MAC80 against Tom was in 2015 where he finished third behind Tom's second place finish.
When Scores become available they will be posted HERE: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/747
WRAP UP!
by John Ostmeyer, IAC 15 president
All the airplanes have made it home, the box markers are picked up and the pilots are all safe and sound. This year's Harold Neumann Barnstormer was an outstanding success and it's all thanks to you. No one man can run a contest and every time I turned around people were asking what they could do to help out. This sport couldn't be full of better people! Kevin McCurdy, the airport manager, had the place looking great for our contest and moved mountains to make sure we had more than enough hangar space. We had local tenants give up their personal T hangars for the weekend so we would have enough space. The landowners were gracious enough to allow us into their fields to place our marker and were helpful finding solutions to the muddy mess that was the result in 15 inches of rain in May. We had Aviation Explorers 8000 providing a great lunch Friday and Saturday, those burgers were good! And then they stepped up the line and became recorders and boundary judges too!
Finally Unlimited saw Aaron McCartan edge out Craig Gifford after he chief judges the Intermediate/Advanced line and flew as safety pilot for Marlin in Primary. The biplane medal goes to David Lutes out of Topeka, Kansas flying an S-1T and the Grassroots medal was picked up by Doug Jenkins flying his trusty Daisy. The most important award we give away is the Highest Placing First Time Sportsman and that was won by Emerson Beinhauer who flew his first contest at Ottawa. Getting to know this young man this weekend was a privilege and if there are more like him joining the sport then the future will be in good hands.
Highest Scoring Biplane Award: Dave Lutes
Grassroots Medal: Doug Jenkins
First Time Highest Sportsman Award: Emerson Beinhauer
Hooker Harness Certificate Winner: Emerson Beinhauer
Primary: 1-Marlin Fullerton, 2-John Wittenborn
Sportsman: 1-Mike Hoy, 2-Dave Lutes, 3-Phillip Gragg,
Intermediate:1-Tom Rhodes, 2-Doug Jenkins, 3-Craig Fitzgerald
Advanced: 1-Tom Rybarczyk, 2-Julia Wood, 3-Klayton Kirkland,
Unlimited: 1-Aaron McCartan, 2-Craig Gifford
June 6, 2021
A total of 18 pilots made their way to the center of the U.S. for a fun time and good natured competition. Doug Jenkins held onto his leading position in the South Central Region in Intermediate by placing second behind Tom Rhodes. Tom improved his scores from the Lone Star contest, where he finished in fourth, to place first in Kansas with a score of 80.06% over Doug's second place finish at 78.88%.
In the advanced category, Klayton Kirkland held onto his lead in the South Central region, but the overall scores between Klayton and Julia Wood are closing. Klayton's regional standings points are 71.24% while Julia is nipping at his heels with 70.55%. Tom Rybarczyk, back in competition aftert a five year hiatus, was the winner of the advanced category with a score of 74.48% over 2nd place Julia at 71.29% and 3rd place Klayton at %66.27.
Scores have been posted here: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/755
Photo by Jim Kemma
May 28, 2021
When Scores become available they will be posted here: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/755
May 17, 2021
Wrap up! by, Julia Wood
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Chapter's Contest!! We had a great turnout: 33 competitors and almost that many volunteers and newcomers! We were blessed with beautiful, but windy weather even though bracketed before and after by rain! Most airplanes left for home Saturday after the contest to beat the rain so the award ceremony was conducted immediately following the flying at the airport. Nonetheless, 37 of us still attended the banquet at The Library and many of those who could, flew their airplanes home and drove back to enjoy the camaraderie, drinks and good food!
We especially thank those who came solely to help run the contest and volunteer. Without you it would not be possible! Kathleen Moore, our registrar, and Steff Vidrine, our scorer, spent many hard hours in the back office conducting a smoothly run contest! A big thank you to Mike Plyler's generous hospitality for donating his hangar and office space for us!
The coveted Lone Star Belt Buckles went to:
John Hale-Primary
Mike Hoy- Sportsman
Craig Fitzgerald-Intermediate
Pat Clark-Advanced
We had a crooked raffle drawing...Mike Gallaway won the Hooker Harness!
The David Clark DC One-X was won by Bill Barnard.
We thank our sponsors: Hooker Harness, David Clark, MT Propellers, A-American Self Storage Sherman, The Tom Rhodes Group!!
When they become available the scores will be uploaded here: https://iaccdb.iac.org/
 A total of 33 pilots flew their best in pleasant mid-70s weather that peaked at 81 degrees on the final day Saturday, May 15. There were some winds blowing at 12-15 mph to contend with, but nothing to slow down the contest. Two competed in Primary, first-time competitor John Hale in his 7KCAB Citabria won the category when Sportsman competitor Jeff Cain flew for a patch to provide him with another competitor in Primary. |
|
 With the most competitors of the contest at 12 pilots, the Sportsman category was owned by Michael Hoy who won all three flights in his Monosport 360. This was Mike's first contest of 2021. He last competed in 2020 at the Hill Country Hammerfest. Bo Kalabus did a good job of staying right up next to Mike in his 1986 Christen Eagle II. His eagle is a family legacy from when his father started building it in 1977. Bo last flew competition at the Early Bird contest in Edna Texas, where he placed first. As soon as the official scores are posted online we will get an update on whether Bo will continue his first place lead in the South Central Region. |
|
 With only a three percentage point spread in the final score the top contenders in the Intemediate category, the top four finishers battled their way through the the entire contest. Eventual first place finisher Craig Fitzgerald came out strong in the Knowns, barely held his lead in the Free Style, and came in second in the Unknown behind second place overall finisher Erick McDaniel. Third and fourth place finishers, Doug Jenkins and Tom Rhodes were nipping at Craig and Erick's heels the entire contest. Especially during the Free style were the point spread was very tight ranging from a point spread from 1755 to 1782. Missing from the category was Susan Bell, who had a mechanical that prevented her from flying form California to Texas. |
|
 Another narrow point spread was seen in the Advanced category. First place finisher Patrick Clark held first place throughout the Known and Free style, getting edged out by Klayton Kirkland and Chris Magon for the third place in the the Unknown. But his previous points held up in the end. Contest Director Mike Gallaway, orginally hoping to fly Unlimited flew in the Advanced category nearly unseating Chris Magon for his third place finish with a score of 75.65% to 75.83%. An exciting category for the eight contenders in the Advanced category! |
|
 The Legacy category attracted previous Legacy pilots from the Early Bird contest; Curt Richmond and Tony Wood. Curt lost the first and second flights to Tony, but came back with a very high score on the Unknown flight to secure a first place win. Both competitors flying their own Pitts S-2Bs were joined by Herman Dierks, first-time Legacy pilot flying his Sukhoi Su-26. |
|
May 7, 2021
The Lone Star Aerobatic Championship is a week away! Its shaping up to be a great contest with over 30 competitors pre-registered! Two in the Legacy category, inlcuding Curt Richmond who last flew at the Early Bird contest.
In Sportsman Early Bird second and third place winners; Bo Kalabus in his Christen Eagle II and David Valaer flying his CAP10B are back to battle it out for the top spot. Except for Oliver Spatcheck who has been competing since 2016, the rest of the field will be relative new comers. Aaron Nahale (MSU-Denver) flew three contests in 2020 and placed third in Primary for the South Central Regional Series. Both Jaert Burgess and Jeff Cain were first-time competitors at the 2020 Hammerfest. First-time competitor, Kent Willer will be traveling over from Bentonville, Arkansas in a Super Decathlon.
Both Intermediate and Advanced will be ones to watch. In Intermediate Doug Jenkins first place winner at the Early Bird will be facing Susan Bell who just placed second at the Hammerhead Roundup in the Southwest Region. Both competitors will have to watch their back since Tom Rhodes, 2019 Nationals Intermediate Champion, is there to challenge them in his CAP 232.
In the Advanced category, it will be Pitts and Extras against a Staudacher and a DR-107. U.S. Advanced team members Klayton Kirkland and Matthew Dunfee will be flying against 2018 National Advanced Champ John Ostmeyer, who recently had to send the engine off his Pitts S-1T for a rebuild when he discovered the cam was going.
In Unlimited, Mike Gallaway is hoping for another Unlimited pilot to show up.
Photos below: L to R - Bo Kalabus, David Valaer, Doug Jenkins, and Susan Bell.
Pilot Profile - Bo Kalabus.pdf
April 30, 2021
The Lone Star Aerobatic Championship is just a couple of weeks away. The contest has returned to the North Texas Regional Airport in Sherman, Texas (KGYI). An issue that drove the contest away from KGYI was a very large flight school, which is now no longer operating there. "The tower is happy to have us back," said Julia Woods. "Come to Texas for a chance to win the coveted Texas Belt Buckle!!! And for a chance to win a Hooker Harness or a David Clark Headset!!!
At this point, pre-registration shows 21 competitors pre-registered. Many Early Bird competitors will be coming to Sherman including; Curt Richmond flhing his Pitts S-2B in the Legacy category. Julia and husband Tony will be competing against fellow Advanced Early Bird competitors, David Prather and Klayton Kirkland. In Intermediate Doug Jenkins, Tom Rhodes and Jay Hanson. Other Early Birds in the Sportsman category are David Valaer, Bo Kalabus and Jaeret Burgess.
PHOTO: the coveted Texas Belt Buckles for Primary, Sportsman, Intermediate and Advanced power categories.
May 3, 2021 WRAP UP
by Doug Jenkins
It’s on…The Texas Championship Series has returned from its unfortunate one-year hiatus! As a reminder, or to those of you who are new, The Texas Championship Series is supported by each Texas IAC Chapter (24 in the DFW area, 25 in Houston and 107 from Austin and San Antonio) and recognizes the highest scoring pilots in each category who fly in every multi-category aerobatic contest in Texas.
In 2021 those three Texas contests are/were The Early Bird (Chapter 25) in Edna, TX on 24-25 April…The Lone Star Aerobatic Championships (Chapter 24) In Sherman, TX on 14-16 May…and the Hill Country Hammerfest (Chapter 107) in Llano, TX on 14-16 October.
This year’s long-awaited iteration of The Texas Series began on a tranquil Saturday morning in Edna, Texas at Jackson County Airport (26R) as The 2021 Early Bird kicked off. That dawn saw seven Sportsman pilots, four Intermediate pilots and three Advanced pilots suiting up to vie for the first leg of the Series; and ultimately the title of Texas Series Champion.
But before the roar of aerobatic mounts could sunder the air, many volunteers had to do their thing. So, as is customary for my reports, I will begin by thanking as many of those priceless volunteers as I can think of. If I leave anyone out, please forgive me, my memory is not what it once was. Where was I? Oh, yeah, thanking volunteers!
First, to all of the members of IAC Chapter 25 (Houston) for committing their precious resources to hosting a contest.
Next, a shout out to Rick and Kim McClure who manage the FBO and airport for being so welcoming to our little family.
Of course, Contest Director David Prather for herding the cats and making a phenomenal weather call that enabled us to have a contest at all.
Awards procurement: Gary Walker
Cool T-shirts: Tony Davilla
The box marking crew: Dwight Humphreys, David Bethard and Dave Prather
Technical Inspections: David Bethard
Catering Directors: Mark Ciaglia and Sheri Bethard
Non-flying volunteers during the contest: Chief Judge Lynne Stoltenberg…Judges Jeff Stoltenberg and Jeff Poehlmann…Registrar/Scoring Guru Janet Fitzke…Starter Gary Walker…Boundary Judge Dwight Humphreys…and all the various family members and enthusiasts who assisted, recorded and ran scores!
To all of you a heartfelt “thank you” for enabling the pilots to do their thing. This doesn’t happen without you.
Now, on to the flying. Remember that weather call I mentioned? That’s why the contest started on Saturday not Friday. And that one decision resulted in us having glorious weather and getting three flights for every category. So at 0800 on Saturday the 24th of April, 2021 the Texas Championship Series dream was alive for fourteen pilots in three categories. By Sunday afternoon the first leg would be complete and we would have standings to look at. But, remember, this is a marathon not a sprint. In order to win The Texas Series a pilot needs to participate in EVERY CONTEST in Texas. So, even if your favorite pilot is not at the top of the heap now, just hang in there, this thing can easily turn on one forgotten half roll or 2 of 4…and there are two entire contests remaining!
The Sportsman pilots were the first to have the chance to wow the Judges. Here’s how it went…
After the Known, local Eagle pilot Mark Ciaglia was clinging to a narrow lead (four points out of 950) over Dallas participant, and fellow Eagle driver, Bo Kalabus. Third place was held down by last minute entry (and Chapter 25 President) Denny Beacham flying a Super-D. Defending National Champion David Valaer rode his CAP10B to fourth, fractions of a percent behind Denny. Two more bi-planes then followed, Gary James in his Pitts S2E was in fifth while Andrea McGilvray and her S1C were in sixth. Seventh was held by Sean Moran also in a Super-D. OBTW, Sean had airlined in from California just to fly in the contest and had flown this particular Super-D for one practice flight prior to the contest.
The Sportsman Free shook things up a little bit. Bo and his Eagle took first, just ahead of Mark and his Eagle. David climbed the ladder to third. Andrea took fourth. Sean moved up to fifth. Gary took sixth and Denny ended up seventh.
The third Sportsman flight would decide the issue as “The Battle of the Eagles” continued. Mark again narrowly bested Bo. David held steady in third. Denny rebounded to a strong fourth place. Andrea and Gary did the bi-plane mafia proud with fifth and sixth place finishes while Sean rode his Super-D to seventh.
At the end of the contest the Sportsman standings for the Early Bird and therefore the Texas Championship Series were as follows (it really doesn’t get much closer than this)…
1st Bo Kalabus 80.22%
2nd Mark Ciaglia 79.99%
3rd David Valaer 77.14%
4th Denny Beacham 71.54%
5th Andrea McGilvray 69.32%
6th Gary James 68.66%
7th Sean Moran 64.99%
Also in Sportsman, Mark Ciaglia qualified for a “Patch” and Denny Beacham took home the American Champion Medal.
Four Intermediate pilots also had their turn in front of a jury of their peers. Here is their story.
The Known saw yours truly fly my open-cockpit, 180HP, Wolf-winged Pitts S1E to a first place finish. Dallasite Jay Hanson rode his MX2 to second place. Todd Nelson drove his open-cockpit Skybolt to a strong third place and David Bethard and his rarely seen in the wild DR-109 rounded out the field.
The Intermediate Free saw a few things change. I was first again. Todd turned in a strong showing for second. David Bethard climbed the ladder to third and Jay finished fourth.
Then the unknown happened. I took the home the win, with Jay nipping at my heels in second. Todd finished third and David was fourth.
At the end of the contest the Intermediate standings for the Early Bird and therefore the Texas Championship Series were as follows…
1st Doug Jenkins 82.82%
2nd Todd Nelson 78.57%
3rd Jay Hanson 78.29%
4th David Bethard 72.03%
Todd and I both earned a “Patch.” Todd claimed the Grass Roots Medal and I took home the Highest Scoring Bi-Plane Medal. Open-cockpit, four-cylinder bi-planes rule the skies. WHOOOOOOOOO.
The three Advanced pilots were next. In their Known Julia Wood flew her S2B+ to a commanding first place finish. CD David Prather took second and Klayton Kirkland finished third.
The Free saw Julia narrowly best Klayton and David finish third.
In the Unknown Julia continued her dominant run. Klayton finished second and David was third.
At the end of the contest the Advanced standings for the Early Bird and therefore the Texas Championship Series were as follows…
1st Julia Wood 74.97%
2nd Klayton Kirkland 70.43%
3rd David Prather 64.18%
While it is not part of the Texas Series (unless we decide to make it a part of the Texas Series??) we also flew the Legacy category.
In Legacy were three pilots: Debby Rihn-Harvey, Tony Wood and Curt Richmond. Watching these three pilots fly was a treat.
The Known saw Tony in his S2B+ edge out Debby in her CAP 232 with Curt and his S2B in third.
In the Free, Debby staged a comeback and claimed first while Tony took second and Curt claimed another third.
The Unknown order of finish was the same as the Free: Debby first, Tony second and Curt third.
At the end of the contest the Legacy standings for the Early Bird were as follows…
1st Debby Rihn-Harvey
2nd Tony Wood
3rd Curt Richmond
So, there you have it. Just like that, Aerobatics in Texas is back. I certainly hope that all of you who flew in Edna will make it to Sherman for Lone Star. Remember, you can’t win the game if you don’t show up on game day!
April 20, 2021
Updated news from Early Bird Contest Director David Prather: "Friday’s weather is forecast to prevent flying to the contest as well as contest flying. I am officially shifting the contest days to Saturday 24 April and Sunday 25 April."
| Wednesday | 1000-1500 Box Marking |
| Thursday | 1000-1500 Early arrivals, Complete Box Marking, and practice for registered contestants |
| Friday | 1800 Contest Director available for registration |
| Saturday | 0800-1200 Registration and Practice 1200-1300 Brief and Lunch 1300- 1800 Contest flying 1800-2000 BBQ dinner at the hangar |
| Sunday | 0800 Brief 0830-1500 contest flying 1500-1700 awards ceremony, cleanup and pull box markers |
Hotel rooms are still available at the Budget Inn and Suites in Ganado and Best Western, Edna for Friday and Saturday night but make or change your reservations soon.
April 19, 2021
The Early Bird is right around the corner. Practice and Registration is this Thursday and Friday, April 22-23. This contest is one of the Texas competitions which make up the Texas Championship Series. There are now 20 pilots pre-registered for the Early Bird, of which two are first-time Competitors; Gary James flying a Pitts Special S-2E in Sportsman and John Bawduniak flying a Bellanca Citabria in Primary.
Pictured here is Gary's Pitts, which was built by Paul F. Dillenschneider of Arlington, Texas. The airframe only had 175 hours TT when Gary bought the plane. The engine had been pickled by Paul's daughter, after her parents death in 2000, for the 20 years. "Aerobatic Aircraft of Texas" put the plane back in flying condition in late 2019.
Gary received abasic checkout from Jason Newburg in the plane, which has a 200hp constant speed IO-360 A1A. In March Gary attended an Aerobatics Camp put on by Curt Richmond of chapter 24. He learned a lot and now has 25 hours in his Pitts S2-E.
Read Gary's Pilot Profile: Gary James Pilot Profile.pdf
April 8, 2021
The Early Bird aerobatic contest is in Edna, Texas (26R) on April 23 and 24th. So far, there are 14 competitors pre-registered including the 2020 South Central Regional Series first place Intermediate winner - Doug Jenkins. Doug flies his beloved Pitts S-1 (aka Daisy) that he restored. Read about the restoration in the January 2018 issue of Sport Aerobatics.
Aerobatic couple Tony and Julia Wood will be flying in the Advanced category against David Prather and Klayton Kirkland. In the 2019 Early Bird, Klayton placed first in his Pitts S-1S over David in his Staudacher S600. Tony and Julia typically compete at the Lone Star, Super D Tango and the U.S. Nationals. According to the contest records this will be their first time attending the Early Bird.
| Doug Jenkins - Intermediate | Klayton Kirkland - Advanced | David Prather - Advanced | Tony & Julia Wood - Advanced |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
