December 2013 WAC 2013 Results •Low-Altitude Rolls •Pitts Over the Alps •Racing the Rain •Keeping the Sport Fun Maximize Your Lifestyle The Privilege of Partnership The Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid offers class-exclusive technologies that improve the EAA members are eligible for special pricing driving experience for your active lifestyle. A hands-free liftgate provides the ultimate in on Ford Motor Company vehicles through convenience. Active park assist makes parallel parking a breeze. And the next-generation Ford’s Partner Recognition Program. To SmartGauge® with EcoGuide provides an innovative cluster that gives real-time information learn more on this exclusive opportunity for to help you get the most efficiency from your C-MAX Energi. 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EAA_Divisional_Dec_C-MAX_Ad.indd 1 10/1/13 2:45 PM OFFICIAL MAGAZINE of the INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB OFFICIAL MAGAZINE of the INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB OFFICIAL MAGAZINE of the INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB Vol. 42 No.12 December 2013 A PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB CONTENTSOFFICIAL MAGAZINE of the INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB You do not have to be an ace or an air show performer to fly a Pitts; you just have to have good basic skills . –Alberto Beccaro FEATURES 4 A Pitts Over the Alps by Alberto Beccaro 10 Racing the Rain by Doug Jenkins 15 WAC Results 18 So You Want to Do a Low-Altitude Roll by Dudley Henriques 26 Keeping the Sport Fun! by Aaron McCartan DEPARTMENTS 2 / Letter From the Editor 32 / FlyMart & Classifieds THE COVER Gerald Cooper flies his Xtreme Air XA41 to a second-place finish during the Four- minute Free program. Photo by Laurie Zaleski. OFFICIAL MAGAZINE of the INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB REGGIE PAULK COMMENTARY / EDITOR’S LOG OFFICIAL MAGAZINE of the INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB PubLiSheR: Doug Sowder iAC MAnAgeR: Trish Deimer-Steineke editOR: Reggie Paulk OFFICIAL MAGAZINE of the INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB edititOR in ChieF: J. Mac McClellan SeniOR ARt diReCtOR: Olivia P. Trabbold COntRibuting Authors: Alberto Beccaro Aaron McCartan Dudley Henriques Reggie Paulk Doug JenkinsOFFICIAL MAGAZINE of the INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB It’s hard to believe the out of the photo of him smiling iAC CORRespondenCe Christmas season is upon us, while surrounded by his frowning International Aerobatic Club, P.O. Box 3086 and Old Man Winter is rapidly competition. When I think about Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086 tel: 920.426.6574 • Fax: 920.426.6579 descending to take over as the competition, Aaron’s story is the e-mail: [email protected] remnants of fall fade away. In type I think of: good-natured and northern climes, winter is a time light-hearted. He reminds us that AdVeRtiSing for reflection upon the past flying competition, first and foremost, Sue Anderson [email protected] season, and a time for anticipa- is fun. It’s sometimes easy to Jeff Kaufman [email protected] tion of the gentle months of foget that when we’re in the heat spring ahead. Those of you who of the moment. MAiLing: Change of address, lost or damaged magazines, back issues. live in more southern climes I would like to wish you a eAA-iAC Membership Services often brag about the wonderful happy and healthy holiday sea- tel: 800.843.3612 Fax: 920.426.6761 flying weather you’re experienc- son, and I’ll see you again in the e-mail: [email protected] ing this time of year as those of coming New Year. Thank you for the international Aerobatic Club is a division of the eAA. us holed up next to a crackling your membership. Without you, fire try to remind ourselves just none of what the IAC does would why it is we choose to live in such be possible. IAC wretched cold. It’s for the sea- EAA® and SPORT AVIATION®, the EAA Logo® and Aeronautica™ are sons, you know . registered trademarks and service marks of the Experimental Aircraft This month, we’re featuring Association, Inc. The use of these trademarks and service marks without a story by Doug Jenkins. You the permission of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. is strictly prohibited. Copyright © 2013 by the International Aerobatic Club, Inc. may remember Doug from past All rights reserved. contributions, but this one stands out. I can’t recall ever reading a The International Aerobatic Club, Inc. is a division of EAA and of the NAA. flying-related story that touches on his chosen subject. There seem A STATEMENT OF POLICY The International Aerobatic Club, to be two types of articles—those Inc. cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy of the material presented by the authors of the articles in the magazine. The pages that speak to the head, and those of Sport Aerobatics are offered as a clearing house of information that speak to the heart. I believe and a forum for the exchange of opinions and ideas. The individual this particular piece speaks to 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 the heart because, even if you’ve be of help to the majority. Likewise we cannot guarantee nor endorse never stepped foot in an airplane, any product offered through our advertising. We invite constructive you can clearly envision yourself criticism and welcome any report of inferior merchandise obtained through our advertising so that corrective measures can be taken. buckled into the cockpit alongside Sport Aerobatics (USPS 953-560) is owned by the International Doug as he kicks the rudder and Aerobatic Club, Inc., and is published monthly at EAA Aviation Center, heads for the ground. Editorial Department, P.O. Box 3086, 3000 Poberezny Rd., Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086. Periodical Postage is paid at Oshkosh Post Office, Aaron McCartan gives us a Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54901 and other post offices. Membership rate for whimsical story of brotherly the International Aerobatic Club, Inc., is $45.00 per 12-month period of competition. I got quite a chuckle 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 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. Box 3086, Oshkosh, WI 54903-3086. CPC 40612608 2 Sport Aerobatics December 2013 Please submit news, comments, articles, or suggestions to: [email protected] 100% cotton twill cap in dark grey has a brass buckle adjustable enclosure. IAC embroidered in red on rough cut white patch. No but- ton on top to bother the headset. Aerobatics embroidered in white on the brim, with since 1970 in white on the back of hat. #7267155400000 $16.99* Ladies Sequin Aerobatic Caps Womens lightweight twill cap with sewn eyelets has “Aerobatics” in black sequins. $14.99* Light Pink #7266923300010 AEROBATICS MAINTENANCE Light Blue #7266923300060 Basic through Unlimited FACILITIES Competition & Sport We specialize in Safety & Proficiency Fabric Basic & Advanced Spins Tailwheel Aerobatic Aircraft Repair Pitts S-2B Super Decathlon Citabria www.shopeaa.com/iac.aspx Outside the U.S. and Canada 920-426-5912 Owned and operated by Debbie Rihn-Harvey *Shipping and handling NOT included. Major credit cards accepted. WI residents add 5% slaes tax. Youth T-shirts www.shopeaa.com/iac.aspx AC_HarveyRihn.indd 1 Outside the U.S. and Canada 920-426-5912 1/4/05 7:28:28 AM Dark Purple T-shirt with purple *Shipping and handling NOT included. Major credit cards accepted. WI residents add 5% slaes tax. heart and pink wings and crown over IAC chevron. 100% cotton tee. Tshirt 2T 7267157932072 Tshirt 3T 7267157933072 Tshirt 4T 7267157935072 $14.99* Tshirt 5T 7267157937072 Christen Eagle T-shirt Glow in the dark smoke is novel to this 100% tee. 2T 7267158032093 3T 7267158033093 $14.99* 4T 7267158035093 Aerobatics Unisex Oshkosh T-shirt Pool blue Tshirt with a modern design which takes off. 7 7267157840060 8-10 7267157842060 10-12 7267157844060 14-16 7267157846060 $15.99* www.iac.org 3 A Pitts Over the Alps Taking a different approach by Alberto Beccaro IAC 25833 photos courtesy of the author I really liked Budd Davisson’s ar- useful to the pilot community. very skilled pilot. Nevertheless, I’ve ticle Pitts as Basic Trainer in the July I think my opinion could be in- owned a Pitts S-2A since 2010, and I 2013 issue of Sport Aerobatics. Not teresting because I am exactly the am very happy about her. because it was strange to me or be- opposite of Budd: I am a low-time Therefore, looking at the Pitts from cause it was challenging my beliefs. private pilot, flying for fun and not a completely different point of view, I In fact, it is what I think and what very often (usually only during the totally agree with Budd. You do not I try to explain to the other pilots, weekends). I can say I have a good have to be an ace or an air show per- sometimes scared only by the word understanding of what aircraft are, former to fly a Pitts; you just have to “Pitts.” In my opinion the article is since I am an aeronautical engi- have good basic skills (that means interesting and well-written, and a neer with 20 years of working ex- good training from the beginning, broad dissemination of it would be perience in the field, but I am not a without skipping after a few flight 4 Sport Aerobatics December 2013 My first flight in the going-to-be-my aircraft (I am the head in the front cockpit).