A New Chapter for Kentucky!
by, Chris Napier, IAC 27101
A great many pilots (and non-pilots too) have more than a passing interest in aerobatics. Some were in the military and engaged in basic aerobatics during training, but never thought they would see it again.
Perhaps you’re a new pilot anxious to explore the sky in three dimensions, as God intended. Maybe you’re an experienced pilot who sacrificed flying aerobatics to further your career. Or, you may be one of many with no aspiration to fly a plane but love to watch the planes and pilots practice their skills.
Whatever motivates you, aerobatics is an infectious and persistent “bug.” Pockets of interested individuals permeate the landscape, some more than others, of course. Out of these seemingly quiet and innocuous pockets, people with common interests can and will find each other and like a match to gasoline, the flame erupts quickly and violently into existence.
A quiet groundswell of aerobatic interest has been fomenting in this region for some time and all it took was one person to light the match. That person was Paul “Trash” White. The Louisville, Kentucky area is home to a major airline pilot domicile, a skydive school, lots of experimental and sport aircraft, two aerobatic boxes, and a pronounced lack of organization and representation among the disparate individuals involved. Surely that last fact can be remedied.
Enter Paul White, a former naval aviator pilot with a passion for aerobatics and unusual attitudes. Joined by equally enthusiastic Dennis Mayhan, Paul was the first to pull the trigger among the several people separately plotting to start an International Aerobatic chapter in Louisville. Charlie Morris, Tim Taylor and I batted the idea around last summer. Charlie and I had just re-visited that over the winter when we all received an email from Paul White inquiring as to our interest in forming an IAC chapter. Hallelujah! There ARE more people like us out here! Let’s go!
With that first introduction via Zoom conference, we all attacked the arduous process of forming a local IAC Chapter. In very short order, papers were filed and a provisional chapter was formed. This could not have been done without the incredible support afforded by IAC President Jim Bourke and Lorrie Penner Sport Aerobatics editor. Thank you both!
As of this writing, we are in the process of articulating Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation while planning our first meeting to announce our presence to the community.
See you in the box!
Paul, Chris, Tim, Charlie, and Dennis, IAC Chapter 141
| Paul White | Chris Napier | Timothy Taylor |
