Triumph and Tragedy • • • NOVEMBER 2009 VOLUME 38 NUMBER 11 IAC SPORT AEROBATICS CONTENTS
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NOVEMBER 2009 OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB Triumph and Tragedy • • • NOVEMBER 2009 VOLUME 38 NUMBER 11 IAC SPORT AEROBATICS CONTENTS FEATURES 4 WAC Results 6 WAC 2009 Triumphs and Tragedy – Mike Heuer 18 Reflections of WAC 2009 – Norm DeWitt 26 From the Top Comments from WAC 2009 – Alan Cassidy and Graham Hill 4 CCOLUMNS 3 President’s Page Taking the Helm – Doug Bartlett 30 IAC Safety – Stan Burks 32 Just for Starters – Greg Koontz DEPARTMENTS 6 2 Letter from the Editor 28 IAC Merchandise 31 Fly Mart & Classifieds THE COVER The Spanish team in formation over 18 Silverstone, England. – Photo: LG Arvidsson LETTER from the EDITOR OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB Publisher: Doug Bartlett by Reggie Paulk IAC Manager: Trish Deimer Editor: Reggie Paulk Art Director: Phil Norton Interim Dir. of Publications: Mary Jones Copy Editor: Colleen Walsh Contributing Authors: Doug Bartlett Mike Heuer Stan Burks Greg Koontz Norm DeWitt Reggie Paulk IAC Correspondence International Aerobatic Club, P.O. Box 3086 Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086 Tel: 920.426.6574 • Fax: 920.426.6579 E-mail: [email protected] Advertising Director Katrina Bradshaw Tel: 920.426.6836 E-mail: [email protected] Representatives: NORTHEAST: Ken Ross Tel: 609.822.3750 Fax: 609.957.5650 E-mail: [email protected] SOUTHEAST: Chester Baumgartner Tel: 727.532.4640 Fax: 727.532.4630 Bittersweet: E-mail: [email protected] CENTRAL: Gary Worden & Todd Reese Tel: 800.444.9932 Fax: 816.741.6458 The World Aerobatic Championship E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] MOUNTAIN & PACIFIC: John Gibson Tel: 916.784.9593 Fax: 510.217.3796 E-mail: [email protected] he November issue is dedi- month, and gives us a front-row EUROPE: Willi Tacke cated to coverage of the World glimpse into the elite experience of Tel: +49(0)1716980871 Fax: +49(0)8841/496012 Aerobatic Championship world aerobatic competition. If you E-mail: [email protected] T (WAC). It’s a bittersweet tale because weren’t there, you’ll feel as if you Mailing: Change of address, lost or this is where we lost Vicki Cruse. were as he takes you from opening damaged magazines, back issues. As we move into a new chapter as to closing ceremonies. EAA-IAC Membership Services an organization, her legacy lives As the photos show, the setting Tel: 800.843.3612 Fax: 920.426.6761 on in the memories of all those she was incredible. The English coun- E-mail: [email protected] touched during her tryside was a spec- The International Aerobatic Club is a division of the EAA. time here. tacular backdrop U.S. Team for a competition Manager Norm that challenged DeWitt recounts “ If you weren’t competitors and WWW.IAC.ORG WWW.EAA.ORG his experience at officials alike. The the WAC. Norm there, you’ll feel finicky English EAA® and SPORT AVIATION®, the EAA Logo® and Aeronautica™ are registered trademarks and and Vicki were weather tried its service marks of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. The use of these trademarks and service marks without the permission of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. is strictly good friends, and I best to prevent prohibited. Copyright © 2009 by the International Aerobatic Club, Inc. All rights reserved. know this has been as if you were.” the pilots from The International Aerobatic Club, Inc. is a division of EAA and of the NAA. A STATEMENT OF POLICY a particularly dif- taking to the air, The International Aerobatic Club, Inc. cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy of the mate- ficult time for him. but the aviators rial presented by the authors of the articles in the magazine. The pages of Sport Aerobatics are offered as a clearing house of information and a forum for the exchange of opinions and Given the circum- prevailed. ideas. The individual reader must evaluate this material for himself and use it as he sees fit. Every effort is made to present materials of wide interest that will be of help to the majority. stances, I would Congratulations Likewise we cannot guarantee nor endorse any product offered through our advertising. We invite constructive criticism and welcome any report of inferior merchandise obtained through have understood if he couldn’t write is in order for all of the volunteers, our advertising so that corrective measures can be taken. Sport Aerobatics (USPS 953-560) is owned by the International Aerobatic Club, Inc., and is published monthly at EAA Aviation a piece, but he kept to his com- support staff and competitors who Center, Editorial Department, P.O. Box 3086, 3000 Poberezny Rd., Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086. mitment to provide his personal expend tremendous personal and Periodical Postage is paid at Oshkosh Post Office, Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 and other post offices. Membership rate for the International Aerobatic Club, Inc., is $45.00 per 12-month account of the 2009 WAC. financial resources for the sole period of which $18.00 is for the subscription to Sport Aerobatics. Manuscripts submitted for publication become the property of the International Aerobatic Club, Inc. Photographs will FAI Aerobatics Commission (CIVA) purpose of showing the world the be returned upon request of the author. High resolution images are requested to assure the best quality reproduction. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sport Aerobatics, P.O. President Mike Heuer dives into the best aerobatic competition has to Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086. PM 40063731 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to Pitney Bowes IMS, Station A, P.O. Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5. WAC experience with his piece this offer. Please submit news, comments, articles, or suggestions to: [email protected] 2 • NOVEMBER 2009 PRESIDENT’S PAGE by Doug Bartlett Taking the Helm of a Sound Ship hat a wonderful organiza- other groups, the long-term impact that the largest chapters are typically tion this group of people is clear. A declining membership the most active chapters. Enjoyable W called the International results in declining finances and events that bring people together to Aerobatic Club really is. Over the threatens an organization. The IAC, share their passion for aerobatic flight past few months, the organization has while maintaining its commitment give people reasons to stay engaged been rocked with loss, but it has con- to educational training and placing in the IAC. It is not enough for a tinued to function effectively through the highest priority on safety, must chapter to just run a good regional this most difficult period. This did not increase its effort of providing more contest. Although this is no small happen by accident, but is the result value to its current members and task and requires the support of of solid organizational planning on grow the membership numbers by many volunteers, it reaches out to the part of our prior presidents, direc- providing ongoing value to new only a small portion of our total tors, and staff. Our vice president, aerobatic enthusiasts. members. The events that make Doug Sowder, stepped up immediately There are approximately 4,000 chapters successful in the long run and took the lead as acting president members in the IAC. They are are the enjoyable activities that bring and guided us through a process of divided into two broad categories: us together on a continual basis and quickly filling the vacant office of competitors and aerobatic enthusiasts. allow strong bonds of friendship to president. When you see Doug, thank At the chapter and national level, develop. My local airport works hard him for his quick, skillful leadership we have many activities for the at bringing a wide variety of aviation during this difficult period. It was a competitors who make up about 500 enthusiasts together with monthly job well done. of our members. For the aerobatic activities such as spot-landing contests, I knew when asked to take the job enthusiast, we have only AirVenture chili cook-offs, hangar mystery plays, as president of the IAC there was much and Sun ’n Fun. We need to expand flour-drop contests, and the like. Our work to be done. This was no surprise our efforts for these members by membership committee will work to because Vicki had asked me to run for enhancing these activities at the provide guidelines for a wide range of the office over a year ago and had been chapter and national level. And these activities. preparing me for the task ahead. There of course we need to expand the When our officers and directors have been no surprises or fires to put educational and social activities that gather at our board meetings, out because the IAC was well led and bring all members together. member feedback is always strongly in sound order. The work to be done is With this in mind, we will expand considered in our actions. I would not due to gaps left in the organization; a group of volunteers within the like to encourage each member of our it’s only the ongoing work of a solid IAC to focus on the task of retention organization to provide input to the organization. I’m pleased to report to and expansion. We will begin taking organization; there are several ways you that the IAC is organizationally advantage of the opportunities the to do this. Our regional directors strong and financially sound. Internet gives us to reach out to our provide an update on the happenings Each fall and spring our officers, members by providing you with fresh of their area at each board meeting. directors, and staff meet to review and continuous aerobatic updates of They are responsible for contacting the club’s present course and to make a wide variety.