In the Loop - Chapter Chatter - Welcome new chapter IAC 138!

"We have been discussing a new chapter in Florida for about 2 years," said IAC Chapter 138 President Monique Hartmann. "After Don made the Advanced Team in 2019, we really ramped up training. While we do live at an airport with a waivered aerobatic box, we still needed an airport capable of supporting a full team, eight pilots. Our home airport has always been somewhat of a hot spot for aerobatics for many years. We can handle four pilots pretty well but eight becomes too much traffic, too much noise, and I run out of guest rooms quickly. Ideally Sebring Airport is where we like to do the large camps."

"IAC 138 fully supports the two existing Florida chapters (IAC 23 and 89) and their contests. In fact, my husband has 29 years of competing, volunteering and involvement in Chapter 23.  Chapter 138 is not intending to host any contests at this point, it’s not even in our long-term plan. That is years away for us and it will only happen if all chapters agree a third contest will be a benefit in Florida.

"Our short-term goal is training with other pilots who are as passionate about competition as we are. Training for a goal like the U.S; National Aerobatic Championships, earning a U.S. Aerobatic Team slot or traveling to a world championship has been an amazing flame of encouragement. All of our board members (minus me) are Advanced Category Pilots, that trained together through the two years of COVID-19 on a near monthly basis.  They each worked well together, and all improved tremendously. So, we figured let’s keep this going and grow this group of pilots and become official.  Training in 2020, 2021 and 2022 has become our normal routine, at Willis Gliderport (FA44). We got pretty good at the planning, waivers, insurance and running a good pace during the camps. This group has shared houses, bathrooms, and airplanes. By the end of 2021 we were all still friends and looking forward to more training."

The training continues with Don, Alain, Marco and Adam keeping their eye on this fall's U.S. Nationals and Advanced Team Selection. " Our initial goals are nationals, team selection then VEGAS Baby in 2023," said Monique.

The fledgling chapter has many to thank for helping them form the chapter, "Steve Kurtzahn, IAC Executive Director, has been my go-to for so many questions. He always got an answer from the EAA Staff," said Monique. "Thanks go out to Rob Holland and Jim Bourke for both promoting growth in the IAC and giving me courage to dive into this new adventure. Those two have full schedules of their own but always made themselves available to me when I needed them. Having the top of the IAC Leadership accessible to a new chapter was not expected but greatly appreciated."

The new chapter has also attracted new members, " While we were at a training camp, I received an email in January that chapter 138 was official. I shared the news at dinner that night and Rob Holland immediately asked if he could be our first member," said Monique

Don Hartmann	Adam Messenheimer
Marco Bouw	Alain Aguayo