Can someone from the EAA explain to me why they don't support the IAC????

[ssmdive]

You may not know, but the World Championships are going on right now in South Africa... I say you might not know because the EAA website has not a single mention of it....

And you may also not know that the US Nationals will be held this month in Oshkosh. You would be forgiven for not knowing because the EAA's calendar of events does not even list it AT ALL even though the IAC is supposed to be part of the EAA and the EVENT IS BEING HELD AT THE EAA HQ!!!!!

So, why is it that the EAA just ignores the IAC?

[tspear]

You may not know, but the World Championships are going on right now in South Africa... I say you might not know because the EAA website has not a single mention of it....

And you may also not know that the US Nationals will be held this month in Oshkosh. You would be forgiven for not knowing because the EAA's calendar of events does not even list it AT ALL even though the IAC is supposed to be part of the EAA and the EVENT IS BEING HELD AT THE EAA HQ!!!!!

So, why is it that the EAA just ignores the IAC?

What is IAC?

Tim

[Floatsflyer]

International Aerobatic Club.

Ssmdive, you have a case that certainly deserves an answer.

[tspear]

International Aerobatic Club.

Ssmdive, you have a case that certainly deserves an answer.

I should have put that in green. I was being a smart a**.
Never knew it was affiliated with EAA though. But yeah, that is a good question.

Tim

[Sam Oleson]

The reason the US Nationals in Oshkosh are not being promoted (or on the EAA Calendar of Events) is because it's not a public spectator event. Events on our calendar are designed to promote activities that our members can either participate in or watch. The IAC U.S. National Championships are neither. That's not to say people couldn't stand at Wittman Regional Airport and watch, but the event itself is not designed for spectators.

[Anymouse]

I knew about the event in South Africa only because I have a friend competing in it.

[wyoranch]

The reason the US Nationals in Oshkosh are not being promoted (or on the EAA Calendar of Events) is because it's not a public spectator event. Events on our calendar are designed to promote activities that our members can either participate in or watch. The IAC U.S. National Championships are neither. That's not to say people couldn't stand at Wittman Regional Airport and watch, but the event itself is not designed for spectators.
Why would they not be a public spectator event? I am uninformed, please educate me.
Rick

[DaleB]

I suspect because if it's a public spectator event there would be a whole bunch of additional FAA restrictions. Just a guess.

[wyoranch]

Seems to me that it IAC is setting itself up for their own execution.........

[rwanttaja]

I suspect because if it's a public spectator event there would be a whole bunch of additional FAA restrictions. Just a guess.
And the need to arrange parking areas and have folks there to supervise, set up and control public viewing areas, arrange and maintain large numbers of porta-potties, and pay for the liability insurance needed for a public event.

And the problem is, precision aerobatics isn't really a good spectator sport for the common public. It's like watching karate katas; if you're familiar with the sport, there's a lot of pleasure in watching, but to the hoi polloi, it's just a lot of flailing around without the huge leaps and screams they expect.

Reminds me of the story about a farmer watching a '30s Barnstormer do low-level acrobatics: "Sure, he's real brave next to the ground, but let's see him go real high and do that....."

Ron "Ain't never been Arestied in my life" Wanttaja

[Bill Berson]

Good one Ron. (the farmer joke)



Oh ok, the arestied one was good too.

[ssmdive]

The reason the US Nationals in Oshkosh are not being promoted (or on the EAA Calendar of Events) is because it's not a public spectator event. Events on our calendar are designed to promote activities that our members can either participate in or watch. The IAC U.S. National Championships are neither. That's not to say people couldn't stand at Wittman Regional Airport and watch, but the event itself is not designed for spectators.

Huh, you might think that the EAA members might actually be interested. Which goes to show how the EAA is not even trying to support the IAC, they don't even want to bother to tell the EAA members. We are not talking about inviting everyone, but you are hiding it from EAA members.

[DaleB]

I also read the Biplane Forum... lots of IAC competitors over there. I don't get too deep into it, but I get the impression they're fine with not having a bunch of spectators. I mean, it's not like IAC does a lot of advertising or publicity.

[ssmdive]

I also read the Biplane Forum... lots of IAC competitors over there. I don't get too deep into it, but I get the impression they're fine with not having a bunch of spectators. I mean, it's not like IAC does a lot of advertising or publicity.

You can't advertise to the general public. It moves the FAA paperwork from section 5 to 6 and that requires a lot more paperwork, security, first aid plans. You CAN advertise to MEMBERS and since the IAC is "owned" by the EAA, you could easily invite EAA members. But the EAA does not. In fact, this year they pretty much have put barriers in place to prevent spectators.

[DJ Molny]

That's correct. If the event were advertised to the public it could be construed as an air show, which is a much *much* bigger deal to the FAA. There are other reasons as well, such as insurance considerations. And as Ron W pointed out, the sport itself is not designed around spectator satisfaction.

[tspear]

You can't advertise to the general public. It moves the FAA paperwork from section 5 to 6 and that requires a lot more paperwork, security, first aid plans. You CAN advertise to MEMBERS and since the IAC is "owned" by the EAA, you could easily invite EAA members. But the EAA does not. In fact, this year they pretty much have put barriers in place to prevent spectators.

EAA is huge, I am sure the FAA would take the position advertising to EAA is the general public unless EAA took extensive measures to ensure only members will be present. that adds a whole lot of cost and management headaches.

Tim

[ssmdive]

EAA is huge, I am sure the FAA would take the position advertising to EAA is the general public unless EAA took extensive measures to ensure only members will be present. that adds a whole lot of cost and management headaches.

Tim

You are aware that they are ALREADY requiring you to register just to watch... Right? How much more could they do?