So, what can youexpect to see at WAC<strong>2013</strong>? Projectionsinitially indicate thatat least 12 countrieswill attend with atotal of 50 pilots.be planning an event that began in France in 1934, waspart of the 1936 Olympic air display in Berlin, and washeld for the first time in the United States in Oshkoshin 1980!One important step to staging a successful event suchas a World <strong>Aerobatic</strong> Championships is lining up the keyvolunteers. We have been fortunate to have more than25 folks step up immediately to help plan the event.From California to New Jersey, IACers from across thenation have thrown their proverbial hats into the ringto make this event the best it can be. I will look forwardto once again working with IAC friends I have made overthe years such as Tom Adams, Bruce Ballew, and Joe andCarol Brinker. We have been fortunate to recruit somefolks from the West Coast that I am looking forward toworking with for the first time, such as Margo Chase andMarilyn Dash. I want to give a special shout out to HelenJohnson, who is our liaison for all three chamber of commerceorganizations in Denison, Sherman, and Pottsboro,Texas.The special challenge in hosting this event at NorthTexas Regional Airport, Sherman/Denison, Texas, is thatit takes place two weeks after the U.S. National <strong>Aerobatic</strong>Championships. That might seem like a good thing, butwe felt that we didn’t want to wear out our volunteers,our sponsors, or our host airport. To avoid some of this,we have tried to recruit a few people that might not normallyhave attended Nationals, and our potential sponsorlist aims at new companies and individuals who havenot sponsored Nationals or, in some cases, an aviationevent. We are working closely with <strong>2013</strong> Nationals CDJohn Smutny to avoid as much as possible any duplicateefforts and to coordinate the transition from Nationalsto WAC at the airport.So, what can you expect to see at WAC <strong>2013</strong>? Projectionsinitially indicate that at least 12 countries will attendwith a total of 50 pilots. Because the event takesplace in the United States, we have already begun receivingpreliminary entry forms from independent pilots,which we expect to number as many as 15.Opening and closing ceremonies are in the process ofbeing firmed up. During the opening, we know that localcity and county government representatives will attendto welcome all our competitors. There will be professionalair show performers, a sky dive jump team, and alive country western band.The closing ceremonies are tentatively scheduled totake place at the Choctaw Nation Casino. Evening eventsinclude native dancers, a full dinner in a very nice banquethall where the awards will be presented, and a complimentarygaming card for everyone to use in the casinoafter the awards presentation. Additional planned eventsover the course of the championship will include a winetasting evening and a collegiate rodeo.As for the contest itself, John Gaillard has been appointedchief judge, and the jury members are Jury PresidentLars-Göran Arvidsson with members Alan Cassidyand Mike Heuer. Operations will be improved at the siteby the addition of new radios for boundaries and thechief judge table as well as improved sighting devices.Plans are underway for the formation of the <strong>International</strong>Village, aircraft and pilot licensing for foreignpilots who want to rent U.S. aircraft, merchandising,transportation, and accommodations.Plan to come to WAC <strong>2013</strong>! Share in all the excitementand meet other aerobatic enthusiasts from around theworld. For the first time in 10 years this is a great opportunityto enjoy and participate in an international eventright here at home. Get news and updates online at www.WAC<strong>2013</strong>.com.IACLorrie serves as achievement award chair and annualawards chair. Additionally she serves on the WEBteam for the IAC website rework as Content Editor. Ona local level, she serves as the webmaster for IAC34.She is a private pilot SEL and Glider, who flies aerobaticsrecreationally.12 Sport <strong>Aerobatic</strong>s <strong>February</strong> <strong>2013</strong>
One Man’sStyleRUSS MUNSONSafety, Ken StoutBy Jean SorgREPRINTED FROM TECHNICAL TIPS, MANUAL IVAn Intermediate competitor,he flies an 8KCAB or180 HP Super Decathlonthat’s basically factorystock. Any alterationshave been STC’d ones sothat the aircraft could remain in the certifiedcategory. Although he has optedto add spades as a purely competitiveedgetype of mod, he has primarily enhancedhis aircraft, its equipment andhis preflight inspections to give him anedge in the area of safety.For instance he removed the rearstick. Some Decathlon front seat backshave broken and fallen back against therear stick, jamming it into a fixed position.Occasionally belts or other itemsmay entangle it as well. A side benefit incompetition is the stick removal helpslighten up the controls, just a little bithe feels. “And in a Decathlon, everyoneknows that anything we can do in thatarea is a plus,” he commented.Not satisfied with the factory installedharness system, he decided to gowith one from Hooker Custom Harnesscomplete with a ratchet tightening device.He was concerned about problemsother IAC members had encounteredwith their factory installed seat beltsand harnesses in their Decathlons andCitabrias. These included rear stick entanglement,failure of seat belt attachfittings, inadvertent release of the beltbuckles, and loosening up of the beltswww.iac.org 13
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