- How can I find out about IAC competitions in my area?
There are several contests in the Midwest sponsored by various IAC Chapters
in our region. We keep a current list of contests on our website.
Link to contest listing. The IAC website has a
complete list of all contests in the U.S.A. LInk to
IAC website.
- Am I good enough to enter a contest?
Don't worry about how "good" you think you may or may not be.
Everyone had to start somewhere, most at the bottom! The important consideration
is to be safe, and to choose a category that is appropriate to your skill level.
If in doubt, be conservative and go for the lower category. Probably the best
way to determine this is to have an experienced competitor watch you fly and
make an assessment. IAC also has an achievement awards program (called
"Smooth Patches") that recognizes certain levels of competency outside
the competition environment.
- How should I prepare for my first contest?
Practice! You should definitely be able to get through your category's
sequence safely and competently. One of the best things a new person can do is
to get a Smooth patch for the category they intend to fly.
- How do I enter a contest?
Just show up on the first day, usually a Thursday, and you'll be greeted by a
contest official. More than likely, as a first time competitor, you will be
assigned a "buddy" to help you through everything. First thing to do
it get "teched" - have your aircraft go through a technical
inspection. The tech inspector will fill out a checklist and sign it, which you
will need for registration. After registration, most people sign up for a
practice flight in the box.
- What should I bring?
I recommend making a "contest binder" for your airplane, that has
copies of all your logbooks and "AROW" items. Makes it easier for the
tech inspector, and you don't want to lose that stuff!! Other than that, just
bring your regular flying clothes, and some khakis or whatever for the banquet
(I personally wear nice jeans). It also depends on how much room you have in
your baggage compartment. A very good checklist can be found on the IAC
National's website at http://acro.harvard.edu/IAC/contest_docs.html.
Some sunscreen is also advisable. I also carry a small tool kit and some screws,
because you never know when you may need that stuff.
- Can a rental airplane be flown in a contest?
The short answer is YES! As long as the proper signoffs are in hand, rentals
are a great way to get into competition right away. Probably the biggest
drawback there is the cost associated with ferrying the airplane to and from the
contest. Often, a flight school will send one of their aircraft to a contest,
and make it available for pilots to rent. It is also possible for a few people
to get together on their own and share the ferry costs. Just make sure all the
paperwork is in order, and that the aircraft owner(s) have signed the entry
form. An entry blank and complete pre-registration information can be found at http://acro.harvard.edu/IAC/pre_reg_contest.html.
- As a "newbie", will I be accepted into the fold?
New people are welcomed with open arms. The key is involvement, and the good
thing about contests is that there is never a shortage of volunteer jobs to do!
Having an affiliation with a Chapter helps quite a bit when you first start out.
- Do people bring significant others?
Absolutely. All manner of girlfriends, boyfriends, husbands, wives, brothers,
sisters, dogs, etc. can be found! Usually we encourage these people to volunteer
for something, as that is the best way to learn about what is going on and
participate.
- How do I get started in competition aerobatics?
The first step is to join the IAC. IAC membership has many benefits,
including the excellent magazine, Sport Aerobatics, where you'll find
many articles, letters, and schedules on when and where contests and judges
schools are held.
- Do I need to be an IAC member?
IAC membership is required to participate in IAC sanctioned competitions.
While not required, membership in a nearby Chapter is also a great way to get to
know other aerobatic pilots in your area, and to get more involved.
- I have never done acro, how do I get started?
The best thing to do in the beginning is to get a ride in an two-seat
aerobatic aircraft. From there, you'll probably want to spend some time in a
tailwheel airplane, as most (but not all) competition aircraft are tailwheel.
Most flight schools have different levels of trainers, which your instructor can
help you choose which one to start in based on your experience. A very typical
path is starting in a 7ECA Citabria, progress to a Super Decathlon, then to a
Pitts S2B, then on to a single seat Pitts or other high performance aircraft.
- Which schools teach acro to competition standards?
The IAC also publishes a directory of aerobatic flight schools, which can be
ordered from the magazine. Probably the best way to find out which are better is
to ask around at the local Chapter, or even ask Chapter members that are also
CFIs to teach you. Competition aerobatics are different from your typical
"Sunday afternoon looping". There are pretty well-defined rules and
criteria that competition pilots must adhere to, and it really helps to learn
these methods from the beginning.
- Are competitions organized by aircraft class, or skill?
Generally, the competition categories are organized by difficulty, and along
with that comes aircraft class. You probably will never see a clipped-wing Cub
in Advanced or Unlimited! But, a Cub has won the Sportsman category at Nationals
the last couple of years.
- Do I need to go to Judges school first?
Attendance at an IAC Judge's School is not required for competition pilots,
but is a great way to learn what the judges will be looking for. We are always
in need of judges, and most competition pilots judge in the other categories.
- Is acro / competition safe?
In the 30 or so years of IAC competition, there has not been a single
fatality at an officially sanctioned contest. This impeccable safety record is
envied by all sorts of aviation groups, including the military. This can be
attributed to the enormous amount of attention that is placed on safety.