The International Aerobatic Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary (2020). In this article from 1983, then president Mike Heuer reached out to General Aviation News with an article that introduced their readership to IAC. The article is timeless as it points out the character of the organization and showcases programs that are still in place today.
General Aviation News, March 1983
By Mike Heuer, IAC 4
The International Aerobatic Club was founded in 1970 to stimulate interest in sport aerobatics,
IAC does not consider loops, rolls and spins a form of daredevilry or recklessness. Properly done, they are an exercise in skill and control. With good training, judgement and the right equipment, aerobatic maneuvers enhance pilot proficiency while providing a special level of excitement and sense of accomplishment that’s hard to beat.
As IAC’s membership list has grown, so too has the range of IAC activities and the ways in which people could become involved.
While the organization has assisted in developing pilots for the finest aerobatic teams and air shows in the world, it has never lost sight of the aerobatic enthusiast who is content to watch, to be a judge, to help out in contests or to fly for one of the non-competitive Achievement Awards.
It is this broad range of possible involvement in aerobatics that has brought the club membership list to over 3,000, with representatives from 37 countries.
The point is, you don’t have to be a Pitts pilot to join IAC.
Let’s review briefly, some of the diverse IAC programs that have been created for people interested in the sport.
Achievement Awards – there are nine awards that recognize [pilots who achieve different levels of proficiency in aerobatic flying. The Basic patch can be earned by simply flying a loop, roll and spin sequence (without competing against anyone). It’s a series of maneuvers most pilots can master in a few weekends with minimal training and basic equipment like a Citabria, clipped-wing Cub or a Luscombe. At the other end, is Unlimited category, the ultimate goal of the fiercely competitive. Today, top winners in Unlimited come close to making a full-time commitment to aerobatics and use highly refined equipment. Between Basic and Unlimited awards are enough gradual steps to make involvement a challenging, rewarding form of recreation.
Over 2,200 achievement certificates and patches have been issued since the program’s inception in May 1971. The flying awards program has become a major part of the activities of our IAC Chapters.
IAC Chapters – Grass root aerobatics are flourishing in the 36 IAC chapters that are spread across the United States. Open to everyone, the chapters stage sanctioned contests, hold monthly meetings, have flying and critique session, provide information on training as well as where you can get it, publish newsletters and offer educational seminars at the meetings.
Contest Sanctions – IAC currently issues 25 to 30 sanctions to regional and national competitions held each year in the United States. In addition to the sanctions, which assure compliance with standard IAC rules, we offer a low cost $1 million liability coverage at a special rate. Contest chairmen receive a packet with all the necessary paperwork, insurance applications and IAC’s
Aerobatic Contest Planning Guide.” The officers and directors of IAC are available for advice on all contest activities. Reports of chapter and national contests are usually written up in our monthly magazine, Sport Aerobatics.
Judges - A lot of aerobatic enthusiasts choose to enjoy the sport from the ground as a contest judge. IAC has a sophisticated and professional program for educating judges, through its two-day judges’ clinic, “Judges Home Study Program,” and the strict certification requirements spelled out in our “Official Contest Rules.” Approximately 10 judges’ schools were held in 1982, with a few others overseas. Having a large pool of qualified judges for IAC competitions remains one of the IAC’s biggest challenges. Anyone with the interest, time and willingness to train, can become a contest judge. All judges are encouraged to participate in revisions of the rules which are reviewed annually.
Contest Rules – Each year the IAC rules committee meets to draft revisions for the IAC’s “Official Contest Rules” book. The purpose of the changes is to keep pace with new maneuvers, new technology, better ways of building a box. Changes are easily slipped into the loose-leaf binders.
Technical Safety – One of the IAC’s most important programs in terms of ensuring a good safety record is tech safety. A couple years ago, the IAC “Technical Tips” manual was published by the safety committee. This book is a compilation of dozens of technical articles that have appeared in our magazine over an 11-year period. A second volume is in the works.
Membership in IAC is open to everyone. People who already belong to EAA pay an additional $20 dues per year and receive, among other benefits, monthly issue of our magazine. For those who do not belong to EAA, the charge is $45 per year and this would include a subscription to Sport Aviation magazine.
