Thank you very much Ron, Scott, Karl, Obie, Eric, Jon T. and Jon A. for your very nice comments! I appreciate everyone's support so so much. This is definitely not a sport one can go at it alone. I've been lucky to have awesome "flight leads" and "wingmen"! Plus why would you want to go at it alone. I've met so many wonderful people along the way!
In fact I got to meet many new faces this time because it was my first contest in the Northeast region. The contest was held in at Wilson Industrial Airport (W03) in Wilson NC. It was a great setting for a contest. W03 is a quiet little airport near a small NC town just east of Raleigh. The airport was obviously a former military field with three runways, with the aerobatic box aligned with the primary runway. This made get oriented and used to the box a little easier.
We were also blessed with great weather and everything was in close proximity. The FBO served as our gathering room, briefing room, and admin. We had excellent support from the FBO. We had more spectators than I've ever seen. Heck, even the Wilson mayor came out!
Eric Sandifer the Contest Director, and Ron Shreck the Chief Judge did an awesome job! As anyone ever involved with IAC competition can attest, the admin is the backbone of the contest. This is where entry forms are and tech inspection forms are completed, entry fees are collected, the contest paperwork including the forms necessary to score the competitors and competitors' freestyle sheets, and where the scores are collected and entered into the IAC computer scoring system. Eric and Danny Bond got the paperwork drill started until Lori Bond could get there and do the grunt work. Thank you Eric, Danny, and Lori!
One of the coolest things about this contest was the wide variety of aircraft that showed up to compete, including a modified Super Chipmunk and A Great Lakes!!! These two aircraft in particular were very interesting to watch being put through their paces.
My RV-8, a gorgeous 2007 Super Decathlon and two Ultimate Pitts
A couple of One Designs. A young woman named Krysta flew the heck out of the yellow and black one in the Unlimited category!!! Incredibly impressive.
A Panzl, similar to the one my friend Mark Fullerton flies. This one was flown by Luke Lee in Advanced. Amazing!
An MX2. This is a serious competition aerobat similar to the one flown by Rob Holland. The gentleman that brought this aircraft in helped sponsor the contest. Thank you!
Here we are anxiously waiting Ron Shreck's thorough and precise briefing.