....I would suggest that in most cases, new members join with common motivations; they are nonexperiencedin aerobatic flight and are interested in learning to fly aerobatics. I would also note that inmost cases, they are not yet interested in competition, but are much more concerned with simply learningthe “ins and outs” of safely flying basic aerobatic figures. The organization is not doing a good job of“receiving” new acro pilots and providing them the basic information and support they need and desire.If they get what they are looking for; very basic information and help to get started, they will likely soondevelop an interest in competition, or at least in taking advantage of local chapter practice sessions, likelyleading to eventual competition (or at a minimum, volunteering at competitions).Here are a few specifics of areas where I feel the organization could do more for new members, and mysuggestions for possible improvement:Invitations to all IAC events and efforts should be very clearly presented to the entire aviation communitymaking it clear that any one interested is welcome, including practice sessions for observation. Web sitesthat have “event” links could be used as well as other commonly used methods of notification of aviationevents (EAA web site, etc). This should include information relating to “flying in” procedures since nonIAC persons don’t know what to expect when approaching an airport conducting practice or competition.If a visitor shows up at any IAC event including; practices, chapter meetings, competitions, etc., it isimperative that they are greeted and treated with the utmost hospitality and are kept engaged whilepresent. It can be an intimidating experience for a visitor to fly (or drive) in and show up at an event withhighly experienced acro pilots, 1/4 million dollar airplanes lined up, and small groups of friends engagedin closed discussion and other activities. A solution would be to have specific person(s) assigned toreceiving visitors and assuring that they are brought into the event and leave feeling that they wereaccepted, were able to learn what they came to find out, and that they would be welcome to come to thenext event even if it’s just a local chapter meeting....
IAC should consider a program similar to Young Eagles but specifically for currently flying (pilots)adults interested in experiencing aerobatics. This should be restricted to pilots that have at least reachedsolo (or maybe more) and are 18 or older. The EAA & IAC would need to develop a liability program.......The ride should be a clearly defined very basic sequence...... These rides could / should be offered at local chapterpractices.......
Competitions are way to complicated, expensive and time consuming for beginners, especiallyconsidering that they are likely flying the primary sequence, which takes about 1-1/2 minutes to fly, butthey will need to be engaged for up to three days. Never mind the fact that their airplane is “locked up”,so they can’t use it to fly home between days. This can be very difficult to justify for a newcomer; 2-3days away from the family, hotel, food and transportation expenses, etc., to compete with 2 or 3 otherpeople in the primary category. Although one of the benefits of IAC is the interaction with top levelpilots, it may be that in the case of primary competitors (and maybe sportsman), a much simpler andshorter format for the entire competition should be considered. A one day event that pilots could fly in to,compete, and then fly home would be much easier for newcomers, and be much more attractive to thenewer acro pilot that may not have initially thought he / she was interested in competition. With thisformat, they might just give it a try.The magazine is absolutely beautiful, but completely misses the mark for newcomers. It is often notmuch more than a “score card”........ It is clearly geared toward theexperienced competitor. There is very little “meat” for newcomers that are “hungry” for anything theycan find to answer their questions. Remember, many newcomers start due to an interest in recreationalacro or simple curiosity (can I actually do this?), not competition. The IAC is a competition organization,which is good, but the magazine could be very helpful in providing newcomers with a initial interest innon competition acro, the information they need eventually leading them to competition. Theorganizations standards would not need to be compromised ............ butarticles and information at a much more basic level would be very attractive to new members. Thefollowing is a summary list of some of the types of articles that might be useful and of interest;Equipment: Letter has extensive list to long for this message boardFlying: Letter has extensive list to long for this message boardThe organization needs a good web site with a good message board that everyone uses and sufficient andeasily found information for beginners (searchable). The web site should also include links to good, highquality videos of:Each category knowns videoed from inside and from the judges table (what they see).Specific maneuvers(all competitions maneuvers -again inside and outside views).Various competition footage of small and large competitions.The existing IAC site could be used for this, but isn’t user friendly in its present form, especially for acronewcomers. Oshkosh 365 “Unusual attitudes” is not well utilized but would be a good place for a wellused message board since it would also be available to non acro EAA members possibly gaining theirinterest. The Acro Blaster e-mail system is very active, entertaining, and useful, but apparently isprivately run and isn’t an actual message board that can be searched for information. There is also a“smattering” of other personal message boards, but not one clear central point of communication. TheIAC should take the initiative to coordinate these into a unified central information location. This maynot be the first choice of experienced IAC members, but would be highly beneficial to newcomers and theability to retain them. It would be important however, for the experienced acro pilots to also engage inthis specific space. If the local chapters (particularly the presidents) would commit to using the designedmessage board, that would go a long way toward centralizing and increasing it’s use.In summary;I believe the IAC needs to make a much more concerted effort to be “open” to all aviationenthusiasts and a much stronger effort to invite everyone to all events.Anyone that shows up should be made to feel very welcome and invited back.IAC should not “shun” recreational acro, but instead should use it to entice more interest in theIAC which will automatically lead to more interest in competitions.A simplified competition format should be considered, at least for primary and possibly sportsmanlevel competition with the goal of reducing the time and cost commitment to compete at theselevels.The magazine should be adjusted to provide more information at the very early beginner level.A (or the) web site should be adjusted to be more attractive and useful to beginners, includingextensive use of video links showing what the routines and maneuvers are. All chapter membersand presidents should commit to using it in an effort to assure that is it widely accepted.IAC should start a program similar to Young Eagles that provides acro introduction rides tointerested pilots.
