West Penn IAC Chapter 123

Grove City, PA

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Today’s Discussion

• Review of Jim’s background and activities. • Overview IAC• West Penn IAC Chapter 123• Why aerobatics?• Member profiles• Q&A

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Who am I?

• President, West Penn IAC Chapter 123

• Married, father of 3

• Aviation Background– Flying for 20 years; 3200 hours

– Former law enforcement pilot, IP and check pilot

– Commercial ASMEL, CFII ASEL • Seven hours in Goodyear Blimp! (Multi-engine time!!)

– CAP: Squadron Commander; IP, Mission Pilot

– Spin course with Bill Kershner, April 2006

– Aerobatics course with Catherine Cavaignaro, April, 2008

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Me again…

• Owned four airplanes– 1966 C-150– 1964 C-210– 1946 T-Craft BC12D– “Building” Pietenpol Air Camper– 1973 Aerobatic Beech Sport

• October, 2006

• Flew across Rockies from Washington to PA

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1937W

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Quality Avionics…

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Bill & Catherine

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Bill’s Aerobat is now at the Smithsonian….

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What is the IAC?

• International Aerobatics Club

• Division of EAA

• Established in 1971– With Vintage Division & Warbirds of America

• World’s largest aerobatic organization promoting and enhancing the safety and enjoyment of aerobatics.

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IAC Sponsors…

• Over 40 IAC Chapters

• Achievement Awards

• Chapter contests

• Regional contests

• US Nationals

• Fields the US Aerobatic Team – International Competition

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What is IAC Chapter 123?

• Western Pennsylvania’s only chapter– Closest chapters located in Harrisburg and

Columbus

• ~19 members

• Members from across Western PA. From Erie to Uniontown.

• Majority don’t compete, just love aerobatics

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IAC 123…

• Formed by Jim – no other chapters in region

• Provided IAC mailing labels by Oshkosh

• First meeting in November, 2007

• Became provisional chapter in January, 2007.

• Incorporated with PA in February, 2007

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IAC 123…

• Ready to become a permanent chapter– Incorporation– Federal Employers ID number– Bylaws

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Officers

• President: Jim Knights

• Vice President: Mark Stewart

• Treasurer: Pete Sipe

• Secretary: John Prince

• John Lebbon – fifth member of Board of Directors

• Matt Radeck - Newsletter

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Why?

• Encourage mentor each other in the pursuit and enjoyment of aerobatics

• No other chapters nearby

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Philosophy of IAC 123

#1 “Rhule:” To be good neighbors!!!!!– We want you to be glad we’re here!– Attract attention to Grove City Airport– More fuel sales for Steve!– Not interfere with SkyDive PA– Work with EAA 161– EAA 161 invited to all activities

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Activities

• IAC Judges School

• Parachute Class

• Basic Aerobatics class

• OAKLEY KELLY DAY!!!!– May 3, 2008

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Oakley Kelly

• Native of Grove City

• Made first non-stop transcontinental flight

across US in Fokker F-2– May, 1923

• Retired as Colonel

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Oakley Kelly Day

• Saturday, May 3, 2006– 10AM – 4PM

• Working with EAA 161– Daily emails

• Military fly-by & static display requested• FAA rep will be on hand• Young Eagles flights

– John Lebbon spearheading

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Member Profiles…

• Three have competed in aerobatics• Two are CFIIs

– One aerobatic CFI

• Two have “low level waivers.”• Owned aircraft: 2 Decathlons, J-3, J-2, Pitts

S2B, Cherokee, C-150, Beech Sport.• Two retired airline pilots

– One airport manager

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Profiles Continued…

• One F-18 pilot. Currently F-5 “Aggressor” pilot.

• One Regional IAC judge

• One Falcon insurance agent.

• One former USAF T-33 pilot

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Why do we do it?

• Challenging

• Exciting

• Rewarding

• Skill building/safety

• Camaraderie

• Inspiring

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And…

Congenital Vitamin “G” Deficiency!

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But for John Prince…

• I think we all remember our first solo, or maybe one of our stressed out check rides, but I do remember my first Aerobatic ride.  I went out to a local airport in Dayton Ohio to take my first Aerobatic lesson from a very experienced air show pilot.

• It was 30 minutes in length and filled with more excitement in aviation than I had ever seen.  In all those years of flying I never saw the wing go through 90 degrees to inverted.

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John Prince Continued…

• After a few aileron rolls, loops, and a barrel roll or two, I was soaked to the skin and visually lost.  I had done more in thirty minutes than in any other type of flying.  Over the next year I took another 40 lessons and every one was filled to the minute and soaked to the skin.

• He never could get me to do rolling turns very well in a Decathlon, but I never knew a Decathlon could do them anyway.  The G-Meter and the Pitts is the key to happiness, +6 -3.   I’m hooked, and will forever be that way.

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What can we do?

Insurance and Liability Rule the Roost

• Competitions

• Ground Instruction

• Static Displays

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What CAN’T We Do?

In connection with the IAC, we cannot:

• Conduct flight instruction

• Hold airshows (including low-level demos)– Greenville/OK Day example

• Conduct or permit skydiving/parachuting

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•No Low Flying

•No Smoke

•Judges

•Precise Maneuvers

•No money

Competition vs Airshow

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Types of Airplanes

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Competition Overview

• Much like figure skating, pilots fly a routine that is scored by judges

• Five levels of competition:– Primary, Sportsman, Intermediate, Advanced, and

Unlimited

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The Aerobatic Sequenceletters = maneuvers

Upright FlightInverted Flight

LoopInside & Outside Snap Rolls Hammerhead

Upright & Inverted Spins Humpty Bump

Roll

Turn

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The Aerobatic Sequencewords = figures

Immelmann Split S Avalanche

Rolling Turn

Cuban Eight Reverse Half Cuban Eight

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The Aerobatic Sequencesentences = sequences

Primary Sequence

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Competition & Judging

• Sequences are flown in an aerobatic zone commonly called the “BOX”

• Flights are graded by a team of 3 to 7 judges who are assisted by two people each

• Each individual figures is graded as well as the sequence positioning within the box

• Each Judge has a copy of the sequence

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Contests

• 37 Regional Contests In the United States– From February through November– Some chapters sponsor the competitions

• Six Regional awards based on points

• US National Aerobatic Championships– September 2006 - Sherman/Denison, Texas

• World Aerobatic ChampionshipsNational teams from 15 to 20 countries

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The Aerobatic “BOX”

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Training

•G Tolerance

•Critiquing vs Coaching

•Frustration

•Dedication

•Burnout

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G’s

Positive (+)Negative (-)

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Q & A

Questions?

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THANK YOU!