Welcome 2026

Welcome to the first Sport Aerobatics issue of 2026! Another aerobatic year in the books and another great year to look forward to!

My Final Term as IAC President

Last year I informed the IAC board that I do not plan to run for a fourth term. I spent 2025 ensuring that the organization is in good shape going forward, and I will of course support whoever the members elect to replace me.

My understanding is that our VP, Phillip Gragg, is planning on running for President. His knowledge of legal matters and his deep experience with our aerobatic traditions make him an excellent candidate.

I don’t talk sweetly often, but since I’m looking back: I love all of you silly aerobatic rascals. I like you just the way you are, and I hope our paths continue to cross again and again. You are very cool.

Some Bozos from Florida

Speaking of aerobatic rascals, Marty Flournoy sent me a picture of some “Bozos” from the recent IAC Chapter 23 contest in Sebring, Florida. The tradition there is that each year someone will be selected for doing something less than brilliant and is then obligated to put on the official Bozo costume and accept the induction with great pomp. It’s a wonderful chance to roast your friends via sarcasm disguised as gratitude.

The Borrego Springs, CA crowd has a similar tradition, with the Borrego Bunny being awarded to whoever made the most momentous mistake.

I have the pleasure of having received both of these awards. I became a Bozo when I irritated the airport manager by blasting smoke all around the tarmac during a demo flight. My award at Borrego came when I was trying to earn the Primary Smooth Award (in order to complete my set) and then proceeded to dive in at an altitude only appropriate for Unlimited.

In the Oregon chapter, I started the tradition of the “Platypus Award” which is given for more auspicious reasons, namely to the person who “best represents the spirit of aerobatics in the state of Oregon”. “Platypus” was chosen because the major college rivalry in that state is the Oregon University Ducks vs the Oregon State Beavers, the Platypus being seen as a combination of the two mascots (having the bill of a duck, and the tail of a beaver, sort of). The exalted “Council of Playpodes” meets in secret each year to determine who shall be the newest addition. The “winner” is expected to wear a beaver tail and duck bill costume and then make a speech or stand there humiliated or whatever the emcee has in mind.

These kinds of traditions are great fun. I encourage every chapter to come up with something unique. Let me know what your traditions are.

Rob Holland Reflections and News

It’s hard to believe that it’s been six months (as I type this) since Rob Holland’s tragic passing. Rob was taken from us too soon; I believe with his greatest accomplishments yet to come.

Following Rob’s accident, I heard from many of you about how we could honor his memory. There were a lot of great suggestions. After a lot of reflection and consideration, the IAC board decided to take two very important actions that I feel are quite fitting.

First, Rob will be our Aerobatics Hall of Fame inductee this year. Each year, the IAC adds one celebrated and historically important aerobatic pilot to this long list of aerobatic heroes. Rob is obviously eminently qualified.

Second, henceforth, the winner of the Four Minute Freestyle event at the IAC National Aerobatic Championships each year will be awarded the Rob Holland Trophy. We are still sorting out some details about exactly what shape that trophy will take but expect to hear more prior to Nationals 2026!

It’s simply not possible to overstate Rob’s importance to the aerobatic community over the last couple of decades, but I hope these steps will honor Rob appropriately and soothe the hearts of his family and all of you.

Nationals 2025

Looking back on the IAC National Aerobatic Championships, I want to congratulate Jeff Boerboon for his outstanding victory as National Aerobatic Champion. I had the joy of watching the Unlimited flights with Sean Tucker as we commented on the IAC’s livestream on YouTube.

I also want to take time to thank Nationals CD, Shad Coulson, for his exceptional leadership. Shad has exceptional listening and speaking skills, he delegates well, and he cares about everyone around him. We are very fortunate to have him.

Videos at iac.org

We’ve recently updated the videos that run at the top of the iac.org website. Do you have some great content that would work in that space? Please let us know. We’d like to keep that part of the web site fresh.

Thank You!

Each month I hear from many of you. You send in your ideas, you tell me about your concerns, you send me pictures, you ask great questions, and sometimes you just write to say “hello” or “thank you”. I love hearing from you!

Please reach out to me at president@iac.org.