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| SEPTEMBER 2012 | VOLUME 3 | NUMBER 5 |
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Competition Aerobatics for the Spectator
By Bill Hill, IAC Chapter 36
Competition aerobatics is all-attitude precision flying during which all elements of the maneuvers are graded against very specific rules by a panel of judges on the ground. Similar sports competitions are diving and figure skating. With this article I hope to help spectators understand what they're watching and make the experience more meaningful. Read More
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Check out these neat photos from this year’s Michigan Aerobatic Open. Here’s an excerpt from a story on the event:
Christian Smith, an 18-year-old from Midland, Michigan, made his first aerobatics flight July 7. “This is the first step to getting some aerobatic work,” Smith said.
Smith, who graduated this spring from Midland Dow High School, is heading to University of North Dakota with hopes of becoming a member of its aerobatic team. Read more
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Pilot Keeps Passion for Flight Despite Accident
By Barbara A. Schmitz
Jason Flood has died twice in the last year - but that didn't stop the now 21-year-old aerobatic pilot from coming back to Oshkosh for the 2012 EAA AirVenture fly-in and convention.
Flood had just returned home from AirVenture in 2011 when he went back to work as a banner-towing pilot. He doesn't remember much, however, about August 2 when his Bellanca crashed into a New Jersey field as he attempted to snag a banner. Read More
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| SAFETY |
Two Cautionary Tales: Hot and High – and a Case for Parachutes
By Reggie Paulk, Editor - In the Loop
Flying into trees is probably not high on any pilot’s wish list, nor is losing your tail with 10 skydivers aboard.
In the first example, a pilot learned the hard way that flying a heavily loaded airplane on a hot day from a high elevation is a good way to end up chopping down a few trees and narrowly avoiding the grim reaper. Here’s what a passenger had to say about the incident: “After flying up into the mountains for a hike in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, we were planning on flying to a small mountain town for dinner. Due to warming temperatures, we had a hard time gaining altitude. After taking off we hit an air pocket that made us rapidly lose altitude, pushing us down into the trees.” Read more
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| FLIGHT
INSTRUCTION |
A Hilarious Look at Flight-Restricted Zones
By David Wartofsky
David Wartofsky is the owner and operator of the Potomac Airfield (KVKX), located within the flight-restricted area next to Washington, D.C. He's produced a video to highlight the absurd lengths pilots must go in order to be allowed to fly around our nation's capitol.
Unfortunately, he doesn't discuss the nuances of flying inverted through flight-restricted zones, but we're pretty sure it's just as complicated. Watch the video
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FEATURED
VIDEO
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Advanced Unknown in Hungary: Craig Gifford Gives it a Shot
By Craig Gifford
 (Editor’s Note: USA Advanced Aerobatic Team member Craig Gifford gives us a cockpit view on his blog from inside the Worlds.)
We’ve already had a little bit of “contest drama” from the other teams directed at the U.S. - the guys got the planes here on Monday, and because few teams were here, there were open practice slots. They flew in the box, as did members of other teams that were here. The contest bulletins clearly said box times wouldn’t be duplicated until everyone had a chance to fly, but the bulletins didn’t say there was a prohibition on flying more than one practice in the box. (Nothing in the CIVA rules says that.)
Continue reading blog | Watch the video
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| MYSTERY
PHOTO
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 Who's airplane is this, and what type is it? If you think you have the answer, let us know via
e-mail.
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EDITOR'S
NOTE
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 By
Reggie Paulk, Editor - In the Loop
It may be September, but the "dog days" are stretching this scorching summer into fall! I don't know about you, but I'm ready for autumn and some cooler temperatures.
The U.S. Nationals will be held at the North Texas Regional Airport (KGYI), Sherman/Denison, Texas, from September 23-29, and we hope to see you there. This year we'll be selecting The Unlimited Team, so come out and see these men and women compete for the gold and the team. The competitive spirit is strong to fly at the U.S.-hosted World's in 2013, so it should be an exciting competition!
We've made some great strides with your newsletter production recently, and In The Loop is now back on track to regular monthly publication. Thank you again for hanging in there while we've gone through our growing pains. We'll see you after Nationals, and have a wonderful September!
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WEBINARS
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September 11: Don’t Let Fear Stall Your Flying (Wings Credit) with Chelsea Stein Engberg
October 10: How to Quickly Ace Weather Theory on a Practical Test with Don Weaver
All webinars begin at 7 p.m.
CST unless
otherwise noted. To find out more about upcoming EAA Webinars and to
register, visit the webinars
page.
EAA gratefully acknowledges the
support of Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Co.
for their generous sponsorship of our webinar programs.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CP Aviation Awards Emergency Maneuver Training Scholarship in Memory of Vicki Cruse
August 21, 2012 - CP Aviation Inc. has awarded an Emergency Maneuver Training (EMT) Scholarship to Adam Gillhom of Valley Village, California.
IAC President Doug Sowder Congratulates the U.S. Team
August 7, 2012 - IAC wishes to congratulate the USA Advanced Aerobatic Team for its strong bronze finish at the recently completed 10th FAI World Advanced Aerobatic Championships at Nyiregyhaza Airport, Hungary. Great job, team, and thank you! You traveled far, overcame daunting obstacles, flew superbly, and represented your country and your IAC well. Have a great trip home! - Doug Sowder, IAC President
U.S. Team Takes the Bronze at the WAAC!
August 7, 2012 - Get the full results here.
Certificate and Report of Inspectors of the Election
August 1, 2012 - Member votes cast by ballot for the election of Officers/Directors to the IAC Board.
Unlimited Aerobatic Team - Team Manager Needed!
July 9, 2012 - The 2013 U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team will be selected at this year's National Championships in Sherman/Denison, Texas. The board of Unlimited Aerobatics USA is seeking qualified candidates for the position of team manager. If you are interested in being considered for this position, please submit a one-page summary of your qualifications and contact information to:
Norm DeWitt, President
Unlimited Aerobatics USA Inc.
norm.dewitt@gmail.com
Please submit your summary no later than September 15, 2012. If you have any questions, contact Norm at 650-321-8499.
U.S. Nationals 2012 Website Live
Follow the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships!
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