Regional Series Contest Updates - Southeast Region

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Snowbird Classic | Sebring 85 | Mark Fullerton Memorial Bear Creek Bash | Sebring 86

2023 REGIONAL SERIES CONTESTS -SOUTHEAST REGION UPDATE

AT A GLANCE: 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. 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 of the scheduled contests for the SE region. Following are the pilots that have qualified so far for the regional series in the SE:

Primary - Adro Begrow

Intermediate - Cory Gerulis

Advanced - Kyle Collins is currently in first with 78.13% and Tom Tomason is in second with 66.32%

MARK FULLERTON MEMORIAL/BEAR CREEK BASH

June 26, 2023

Congratulations to IAC chapter 3 on the successful and fun contest in June! Twenty eight competitors were able to participate at the Rome, Georgia (KRMG) contest.

All the scores are available here: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/850

SEBRING 85th

April 28, 2023

Congratulations to IAC chapter 23 on the successful and fun contest in April! Nineteen competitors were able to participate at the Sebring, Florida (KSEF) contest.

All the scores are available here: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/818

Photo by Leigh Hubner

SNOWBIRD CLASSIC

March 31 - WRAP UP By Hector Ramirez

Day Three. Events and Final Results

Following two beautiful days of contest flying, day three turned out to be a disappointment. The day started with dense fog and low ceilings jeopardizing the completion of the unknown sequences and third flight for Sportsman/Primary.

There was a sense of resignation, the forecast was not encouraging, but at one o'clock a last-ditch weather flight was launched. Fingers were crossed, this was our last opportunity to finish, what was otherwise a weather-perfect contest. The report came back 3,000' and the contest roared to a start, the Advanced category launching for the box with a free weather interruption in their back pocket.

A quick turnaround at the judging line allowed enough time to get the Intermediate category flown. The Unlimited Unknown was cancelled for lack of time although a fabulous 4-minute free was flown by Craig Gifford - smoke on!

Unfortunately, with time expired the Sportsman/Primary category had to be cancelled. Almost, so close, but weather issues are always an unknown factor when it comes to contest flying. At least, with two Sportsman/Primary flights flown, their effort could be put in the books as a completed contest. So, in the end, a successful Snowbird Classic contest!

Top photo right is Adro Begrow Highest Scoring Bi Plane and lower photo is Casey Campbell Grassroots medallion.

 

Last plane down and secured, the overall mood turned into a sense of accomplishment. Not the perfect contest, but an enjoyable shared experience. Time to put up the chairs, take down the tents and get ready for the banquet. In the spirit of team effort, Marty Flournoy mustered Advanced team members and Ken Kopp into Foster Bachschmidt's pick-up truck and darted to the infield to take up and put away the large bulky box markers. Marty's enthusiasm quickly turned sour as he tried to navigate the soft soil, ditches and obstacles only to find himself in an impenetrable mud wallow. A sense of panic set in. What if I won the last unknown flight and now I'm stuck in this field unable to secure my trophy at the banquet? As luck would have it, Scott Fryar, the airport assistant manager, had kept a watchful eye and was there to extract the Advanced team from the bowels of 42J! Arriving a little late, Marty, Kyle, Matt and Ken snuck to their table just in time for the ceremony.

A little slow developing but allowing for great camaraderie and conversation, the Cedar River Seafood Restaurant warmly greeted the attendees and served a very enjoyable banquet dinner. After acknowledging the contest's many sponsors and the great effort by airport management, the awards were distributed.

Congratulations to the organizers and all the competitors on a safe, fun and successful contest!  FINAL SCORES are below

Primary Power

Sportsman Power

Intermediate Power

Advanced Power

Unlimited Power

The USA Advanced Aerobatic Team members: Left to Right - Coach Jim Bourke, Kyle Collins, Brittanee Lincoln, Marco Bouw, Matt Dunfee, Marty Flournoy, Don Hartmann, Michael Lents and Team manager Alice Johnson. 

2022 REGIONAL SERIES CONTESTS -SOUTHEAST REGION UPDATE

AT A GLANCE: 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. 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 November 5, the Southeast 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.

Southeast region qualified leaders are;

• Primary: no competitor in this category flew three contests in this region in 2022
• Sportsman: 1st place Angela Rogers - Contests flown - 83rd Sebring Aerobatic Contest, Mark Fullerton Memorial East Coast Championship, 84th Sebring Championship
• Intermediate: 1st place Leigh Hubner - contests flown - 83rd Sebring Aerobatic Contest, Mark Fullerton Memorial East Coast Championship, U.S. Nationals
  • Intermediate: 2nd place Corey Gerulis - contests flown - 83rd Sebring Aerobatic Contest, Mark Fullerton Memorial East Coast Championship, U.S. Nationals
• Advanced: 1st place Kyle Collins - Contests flown - 83rd Sebring Aerobatic Contest, Mark Fullerton Memorial East Coast Championship, 84th Sebring, U.S. Nationals
  • Advanced: 2nd place Marty Flournoy - contests flown - 83rd Sebring Aerobatic Contest, Mark, Fullerton Memorial East Coast Championship, U.S. Nationals
  • Advanced: 3rd place Don Hartmann - 83rd Sebring Aerobatic Contest, 84th Sebring Championship, U.S. Nationals
• ​Unlimited: no competitor in this category flew three contests in this region in 2022

APRIL 2022 - 83rd Sebring Aerobatic Contest

MAY 2022 - Mark Fullerton Memorial East Coast Championship

It's IAC Chapter 3's honor to host the 2022 East Coast Championship. We hope you will join us in Rome Georgia for flying, fun and friendship. We will be flying all powered categories. 

Pre-Registration for volunteers and pilots online here: https://www.iac.org/contest/2022-05-13-mark-fullerton-memorial-east-coa…;

2021 Regional Series contests -Southeast Region Update

April 5

AT A GLANCE: Southeast 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.

• Sportsman: 1st place Juliana Fraschetti; Snowbird Classic 2021, Sebring 81, U.S. Nationals
• Intermediate; 1st place Corey Gerulis; Snowbird Classic 2021, Mark Fullerton Memorial Bear Creek Bash, U.S. Nationals
  • 2nd place Jerry Esquenazi; Snowbird Classic 2021, Sebring 81, Mark Fullerton Memorial Bear Creek Bash
• Advanced: 1st place Marty Flournoy; Snowbird Classic 2021, Sebring 81, Mark Fullerton Memorial Bear Creek Bash
  • 2nd place Shaun Brautigan; Sebring 81, Mark Fullerton Memorial Bear Creek Bash, U.S. Nationals
  • 3rd place Charlie Sikes; Snowbird Classic 2021, Sebring 81, Mark Fullerton Memorial Bear Creek Bash

MARK FULLERTON MEMORIAL _ BEAR CREEK BASH

May 18, 2021

Final scores have been posted for the Mark Fullerton Memorial/Bear Creek Bash here: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/756 

Congratulations to first place winners; Primary - Carson Hawkins 81.98% flying a Pitts Special S-2A, Sportsman - PJ Tom 78.39% flying the same Pitts as Carson, Intermediate - Wayne Asplundh 81.67% flying a Pitts S-2C, Advanced - Steve Johnson flying an MX2, and Unlimited - Steve Grohsmeyer flhing a MXS. 

Photos from L to R: Carson Hawkins, Wayne Alsplundh, Steve Johnson and Steve Grohsmeyer.

May 15, 2021

#IAC_chaptercontest After two flight flown for all competitors on Friday, May 14, here are the current standings:

Primary Power

Sportsman Power

Intermediate Power

Advanced Power

Pilot			Airplane	Known			Free			Total
	Steven Johnson	(27)	MX Aircraft MX2 487MX	2391.20	76.40%	(1)	2627.26	80.84%	(3)	5018.46	78.66%	(1)
★	Martin Flournoy	(3)	MX Aicraft MX2 N540RH	2366.00	75.59%	(2)	2593.00	79.78%	(4)	4959.00	77.73%	(2)
	Stanley Moye		Extra 300S N919GM	2202.48	70.37%	(3)	2681.68	82.51%	(2)	4884.16	76.55%	(3)
	Shaun Brautigan	(3)	Extra 330SC N330FB	2160.20	69.02%	(4)	2715.60	83.56%	(1)	4875.80	76.42%	(4)
	Charles Sikes	(3)	Extra 300S N911JD	1973.10	63.04%	(5)	2403.18	73.94%	(5)	4376.28	68.59%	(5)
	Richard Porter	(3)	Extra 300 L N244JT	1937.98	61.92%	(6)	2341.02	72.03%	(6)	4279.00	67.07%	(6)

 

 

 

May 14, 2021

#IAC_chaptercontest - the Mark Fullerton Memorial Bear Creek Bash started today! At last count over 20 pilots had pre-registered. This morning Corey Gerulis (bright green Extra in this photo right) said he was first up. He is competing in the Intermediate category against Tom Thomason, Larry Macon, Jerry Esquenazi, Wayne Asplundh and Tom Hartvigsen. This should be an exciting category bringing all three top finishers together from the Snowbird Classic; Corey (3rd), Tom T.(2nd) and Jerry (1st). Also to watch, Wayne, who finished 2nd at Sebring 81.

Scores will be posted here as they become available: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/756

 

Juliana Fraschetti, in the Sportsman category, is poised for a top place finish in the Southeast regional series. She is the only competitor to have entered three contests in the region to this point. Other Bear Creek Bash Sportsman competitors that could add on the U.S. Nationals as a wildcard contest to qualify for the regional series are; Mark Buckner (4th place at Snowbird)  and Michael Hare (2nd place at Sebring 81)

 

Jerry Esquenazi is in the same situation in the Intermediate category. This is his third flight in the Southeast region. Competitors at Bear Creek this weekend who could add on the U.S. Nationals as a wildcard contest and give him some competition for first place in the region are;  Corey Gerulis (3rd place at Snowbird), Tom Thomason (2nd place at Snowbird) and Wayne Asplundh (2nd place at Sebring 81).

 

In the Advanced category we'll be watching current Regional Series (SE) leader, Marty Flournoy up against Chris Magon and Kyle collins who are currently setting in 2nd and 3rd place. 

Photos by Leigh Hubner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 30, 2021

#IAC_chaptercontest Less than a month away! The Mark Fullerton Memorial/Bear Creek Bash May 14-15 at Rome, Georgia (KRMG).

You can register for this 5 category aerobatic contest at: 2021 Mark Fullerton Memorial Bear Creek Bash | International Aerobatic Club (iac.org) 

Ten pilots have already pre-registered including Steve Johnson, Advanced Competitor and past USA Advanced Team member. Last time he attended at Rome in 2016 he placed 3rd in Advanced behind first place winner, Marty Flournoy - another USA Advanced Team member who also flies an MX2.

PHOTO: Left - Steve Johnson and RIGHT - Marty Flournoy

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SEBRING 81 2021

May 3, 2021

It's a Wrap!

It was a great weekend with 20 competition pilots flying their best at Sebring. In Sportsman Juliana Fraschetti once again landed in 1st place with an overall score of 85.81% flying an Extra 300. With this and her first place win at Snowbird she finds herself leading in the Regional Series for the Southeast. Michael Hare finished 2nd in his Extreme Decathlon with a score of 77.08%, and Thomas Epperson finished 3rd also flying a Decathlon with a score of 76.05%

In the Intermediate category SE Regional Leader Jerry Esquenazi felt the heat and finished well behind the three top pilots; 1st place Stan Moye with 84.25% flying his Extra 300S, 2nd place Wayne Asplundh at 81.04% flying his bright orange Pitts S-2C, and 3rd place Abbott Kagan with 80.20% flying a Sukhoi Su-29.

In the Advanced category Kyle Collins in his Pitts S1T, reprised his 2019 first place win with a total 76.76%. Giving him some heated competition were second place finisher Chris Magon who won the Free style and finished with a score of 75.33%. Third place finisher Marty Flournoy gave a good showing with first place finishes in the Known and Unknown. Unfortunately he didn't have as good a time in the Freestyle and finished fifth on that flight bringing him to an overall score of 72.25%.

All the final scores can be found at: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/748

Sportsman Overall:  3rd place Thomas Epperson,1st place Juliana Fraschetti, and 2nd place Michael Hare	Intermediate Overall: 2nd place Wayne Asplundh, 1st place Stan moye, and 3rd place Abbott Kagan	Advanced Overall: 3rd place Marty Flournoy, Free and Unknown medal winner Shaun Brautigan, and 2nd place Chris Magon.

April 30, 2021 

They've been practicing - now the competition begins! Sebring 81 two-day contest starts today and will wrap up tomorrow. April 30-May1. Once the fun begins and the scores start coming in, they will be posted here: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/748

At last count, there were 23 competitors pre-registered. Some Snowbird Classic familiar faces will be flying at Sebring; 1st place Sportsman Juliana Fraschetti, and 1st place Intermediate Jerry Esquenazi. First time Sportsman Mark Buckner and Michael Hare are back for more as well.

 

Photos: Advanced competitors: Charlie Sikes in an Extra 300S, Marc Bouw in a Lazer Z200, and Intermediate competitor Doug Litton in his Extra 300L.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 8, 2021

Sebring 81 is at the Sebring Regional Airport, Florida  from  April 30 to May 2. There are 14 competitors pre-registered so far. Register online here: https://www.iac.org/contest/2021-04-30-sebring-81-2021 

This spring Sebring contest last took place in 2019. Kyle Collins in his Pitts S1T won first place in Intermediate that year. Kyle had a very decisive victory scoring 81.33% over second and third place finishers at 74.54% and 73.44%. He's moved up to Advanced this year. He'll be up against his competition from Snowbird, where he finished in fifth; Chris Magon, who finished 3rd, Alain Aguayo 4th, Charlie Sikes and Marco Bouw.

Jerry Esquenazi, who just placed first at the Snowbird Classic in the Intermediate caetogry the last weekend in March, will have his work cut out for him in a rematch against Tom Tomason, who placed second by only 2% points at Snowbird.. 

Marcus Cade - Advanced Competitor | Extra 300S | competing since 2013	Michael Hare - Sportsman Competitor | Extreme Decathlon | second contest.

 

 

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SNOWBIRD CLASSIC | IAC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP EAST

March 31 - WRAP UP

Congratulations to the organizers and all the competitors on a safe, fun and successful contest!  FINAL SCORES: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/693. More photos are being uploaded to the IAC 89 chapter archive gallery. 

" Finally, after over a year of forced hibernation the COVID clouds parted and the first IAC aerobatic of 2021, the Snowbird Classic Aerobatic Contest and IAC Open Championship East was on!," said Assistant CD Hector Ramirez. " The contest was held at X60, Willison, Florida March 25-27. However, the event was bittersweet with the tragic passing of our Contest Director, Mark Nowosielski in 2020. (pictured right) 

"Mark laid the groundwork for the contest's move from Dunnellon and is credited for much of the legwork required for the 2020 Snowbird Classic, which was delayed. The 2021 contest was dedicated to Mark's memory and that of our contest's co-founder, Chuck Cohen who left us in 2017.

 "Volunteers are an essential part of every IAC contest and we were lucky to get a great mix of judges, recorders and other volunteers from the local community and from as far away as Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and more distant reaches of Florida."

Below are a few that helped made it all happen (Left to right), Laurie Ramirez acting as Volunteer Coordinator with CD Kevin Campbell, Starter Ralph Sebexen in his vintage golf cart,  Philip & Elizebeath Bellew from Alabama.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some photos from the Judge's Line (left ot Right); Bill and Laura Barnard from Lousiana with recorder Vanessa Greene, Faith Drewry, Mark Stewart and Michael Hare judging the Advanced Category, and finally Jay Hunt, Hector Ramirez and recorder Bob out on the line to judge Intermediate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contest Day 3

Elizabeth Birch flying an Xtreme Decathlon, took first place in the final Sportsman flight (Unknown) followed by Juliana Frachhetti in an Extra 300 and Martin Hill flhying A Pitts S-1S.  In the Intermediate Unknown first place went to Jerry with Tom and Corey close behind. 

Advanced competitors flew an IAC Unknown and a Free Unknown. The first Unknown went to Marty with Alain Aguayo second then Kyle. The Advanced Free Unknown first place went to Marty again prevailing. Chris Magon took second and Alain Aguayo took third in this final and most exiting flight of the contest. 

Pilots below: Chris Magon - Advanced competitor, Elizabeth Birch - Sportsman (with Safety Pilot Michael Hare),  and  Alain Aguayo - US Advanced Team Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contest Day 2

Sportsman and Primary faced strong headwinds on the first flight . At the end of two Sportsman flights Elizabeth Birch trailed Juliana Fraschetti with Marty Hill was in third place.  The three primary pilots finished the Known with Mike Lopez in first, Tomas Epperson in second and Mel WIlliams in third. The Free sequence found Mike in first, Thomas in second and Mel remained in third place. 

Primary competitors: (below left to right) Mike Lopez with his Vans RV-4, Thomas Epperson with an American Champion 8KCAB and Mel Williams with his Bellanca Super Decathlon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intermediate Known went to Jerry Esquenazi in his Extra 300S with Jay Hanson second flying the MX2 prototype, and Corey Gerulis third in an Extra 330SC. The Free saw Tom Thomas in a Giles 202 take first and Corey Gerulis moving up with a second place  and Jerry Esquenazi in third. The Advanced free was flown with a first place win by Kyle Collins Piloting his Pitts S1T. Marty scored second place in his MX2 and Chris Magon followed in third flying an Extra 330SC. 

Pilots below (left to right); Kyle Collins - Advanced competitor, Juliana Fraschetti - Sportsman competitor, and Marty Flournoy - U.S. Advanced Team Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contest Day 1

Morning Practice and critique session for the low

er categories with afternoon reserved for flying the Advanced Known. Lunch - YUM! Barbeque for all. Really hit the spot. Thanks to Nora Johnson, Liza Weaver (registrar pictured right) and Mark Stewart for providing and helping with the lunch. 

Advanced flying was clean, very few mistakes and well-practiced. Not the norm for the first contest of the season, especially a fter a year-long layoff.. Chris Magon came out on top in the Known with a score of 78.72%, Cody Zorn, flying his DR-109 was second with 77.31% amd Marty Flournoy was third with 76.47%

 

March 22, 2021

The annual Snowbird Classic, in Williston, FL, is also this year's IAC Open Championship East. There are 8 Advanced competitors, which include three U.S. Advanced Team members. John Wacker and Marty Flournoy are back again to see who ends up in first place this time - in 2019 John won first place by a narrow margin; 77.63% to Marty's 77.41%. Its gonna be a nail-biter!

There are 8 first-time competitors spread throughout Intermediate, Sportsman and Primary categories.

Informal practice became available today through the 24th. Contest dates are Thursday through Saturday , March 25-27. Final scores can be found online here when they are uploaded by the scoring director: https://iaccdb.iac.org/

Corey Gerulis - Intermediate competitor | Extra 330SC | First Contest	Randy King - Sportsman Competitor | Vans RV 8 | competing since 2016  Randy King Pilot Profile.pdf
Mel Williams - Primary competitor | Super Decathlon | First Time Competitor Mel Williams Pilot Profile.pdf	Jerry Esquenazi - Intermediate Competitor | Extra 300S | competing since 2016.