Series Map | National Point Series details
2023 The Leo (IAC/NPSC) - News and Updates
Leo Update as of 8/7/23
Leo Update as of 7/15/2023
As the season progresses, the IACCDB results roll in and the regional qualifiers for the Leo National Point Series Championship begin to emerge. Note that P&P 227 has some changes this year (now rev 5) from last year. With the new revision, your regional contest results will qualify for the point series even if you're the only one that shows up in your category. The logic is that if you made the trek to a contest, you deserve the credit for the contest. In addition, by the same logic, your 3 region results will qualify you for the NPSC Championship in your category even if no other competitors meet the 3 region criteria. If you make the effort to fly in three regions, you should be eligible even if no one else does. These changes were approved by the IAC BoD and P&P 227 has been updated to Rev 5.
Here's the update from around this time last year, for comparison to where we are at this point this year.
2022
-
In Primary, we had 43 pilots (wow) but no pilots yet with more than 1 region.
-
In Sportsman, Phillip Gragg had his 3 regions with Mershon Brooks and Jared Hodge having 2 regions each.
-
In Intermediate, Leigh Hubner has 2 regions, with 32 pilots having 1 region.
-
In Advanced, Craig Fitzgerald has his 3 regions, with 5 others having 2 regions.
-
In Unlimited, eleven pilots have flown in 1 region.
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions Total
Primary 43 0 0 43
Sportsman 56 2 1 59
Intermediate 32 2 0 34
Advanced 24 5 1 30
Unlimited 11 0 11
Total Competitors 177
And here are the numbers through 7/15 for 2023
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions Total
Primary 35 5 0 40
Sportsman 67 9 1 77
Intermediate 42 5 1 48
Advanced 42 2 0 44
Unlimited 14 0 0 14
Total Competitors 223
Currently, Richard Corredera (left) is on track to win the National Point Series Championship for 2023 in Sportsman, and James Spaller (right) is on track to be the NPSC Champion for 2023 in Intermediate.
As you can see, our competitor numbers are up significantly (about 25%) compared to mid season last year. As more contests are completed, these numbers will increase and we'll see more pilots meeting the 3 region criteria. Be one of those pilots and win a cool trophy!
FYI, the US Nationals is a qualifier for the South Central region. Ask Leigh Hubner how he likes his trophy from 2022! You'll want one. Watch for updates as we see more pilots qualify! Fly Safe, Have Fun!
2022 NATIONAL POINT SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED
THE 'LEO' IS AWARDED!
by, Bob Freeman, IAC 8532
After a long and fun filled competition season, the final standings for the 2022 National Championship Point Series, also known as "The Leo" are in. Congratulations to all those pilots that made the treks needed to fly in at least 3 different regions and specifically congratulations to the best ranking pilots nationally across those 3 regions. First Place winners will receive individual NPSC Championship Leo Award trophies, certificates and stickers, and will also have their names added to the permanent Leo Trophy which is on display in Oshkosh. The attached photo shows last year's 1st place awards. Second and Third place finishers will receive certificates and stickers.
2022 NPSC Summary
- Primary had only one competitor that flew in three regions in 2022. As such, there is no point series champion in Primary for 2022.
- Sportsman had 4 pilots that flew in three regions this year. There were 26 regional contests where NPSC points were awarded.
- Intermediate had 3 pilots that flew in 3 regions. There were 23 regional contests where NPSC points were earned.
- Advanced had 4 pilots that flew in three regions. There were 23 regionals contests where NPSC points were earned.
- *Unlimited had no competitors that flew in three regions in 2022. There were 5 pilots that flew in 2 regions and the NPSC ranking based on 2 regions is shown for reference.
Here are the first-, second-, and third-place results for the Leo Trophy, named in honor of famed IAC competitor Leo Loudenslager. Congratulations to the winners and contenders for the NPSC Leo Award.
| Primary | Sportsman | Intermediate | Advanced | Unlimited | |
 |
 |
 |
|||
| 1st place | n/a* | Phillip Gragg | Leigh Hubner | Kyle Collins | n/a* |
| 2nd place | n/a | Palmer Timmons | Jerry Esquenazi | Craig Fitzgerald | n/a |
| 3rd place | n/a | Andrew | James Spaller | Steve Johnson | n/a |
2022 The Leo (IAC/NPSC) - News and Updates
Leo Update as of 8/20/22
As the season progresses, the IACCDB results continue to roll in and the regional qualifiers for the Leo National Point Series Championship begin to emerge. Note that the Primary category has been added to the series this year!
Here's an update on the season to date that have reported results in the IACCDB as of 8/20/2022.
- In Primary, we have 63 (wow) pilots total competitors of which 59 have flown in one region and 4 in two regions. No one yet with 3 regions.
- In Sportsman, we have 78 pilots of which 71 have flown in one region, 6 of which have flown 2 regions and 1 pilot (Phillip Gragg, pictured upper right) that has flown in 3 regions.
- In Intermediate, we have 46 pilots of which 42 have flown in 1 region and 4 pilots that have flown in 2 regions.
- In Advanced, we have a total of 40 pilots of which 31 have flown in 1 region, 8 that have flown in 2 regions and still only 1 (Craig Fitzgerald, pictured lower right) that has flown in 3 regions..
- In Unlimited, 16 pilots have flown in 1 region.
Competitor Season numbers to date in table format:
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions Total
Primary 59 4 0 63
Sportsman 71 6 1 78
Intermediate 42 4 0 46
Advanced 31 8 1 40
Unlimited 16 0 0 16
243
Nationals will again be held in and counted as a South-Central region contest, so those that have two regions that have not flown in the South-Central region will get their 3rd region and will be qualified in the point series.
Good luck to all!
Leo Update as of 6/28/22
As the season progresses, the IACCDB results roll in and the regional qualifiers for the Leo National Point Series Championship begin to emerge. Note that the Primary category has been added to the series this year!
Here's an update on the season to date that have reported results in the IACCDB as of 6/28/22.
- In Primary, we have 43 pilots (wow) but no pilots yet with more than 1 region.
- In Sportsman, Phillip Gragg has his 3 regions with Mershon Brooks and Jared Hodge having 2 regions each.
- In Intermediate, Leigh Hubner has 2 regions, with 32 pilots having 1 region.
- In Advanced, Craig Fitzgerald has his 3 regions, with 5 others having 2 regions.
- In Unlimited, eleven pilots have flown in 1 region.
Competitor Season numbers to date
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions Total
Primary 43 0 0 43
Sportsman 56 2 1 59
Intermediate 32 2 0 34
Advanced 24 5 1 30
Unlimited 11 0 11
177
Heads up!
April 20, 2022
Sebring is fast approaching! Sebring represents one of the best opportunities to score great ranking points in the National Points Series Championship (the Leo) for the Southeast region. The way the ranking points work, the bigger the contest, the more pilots you beat, the higher your possible ranking points.
Last year the Unlimited category went unawarded because we only had one pilot fly in 3 regions. So, you Unlimited guys need to fly. Count Sebring and Nationals and you'll have Southeast and South Central covered. One more region and you'll contend for the NPSC!
Get your name on the permanent *trophy and win the individual title for your category.
Fly Safe Have Fun!
Bob Freeman, IAC 8532
IAC Director
*Trophies sponsored by Bob Freeman, Tim Just and Tom Rhodes.
2021 National Point Series Championship Winners Announced
The Inaugural 'Leo' is Awarded!
by, Bob Freeman, IAC 8532
This article is the final update for the 2021 National Point Series Championship (NPSC) award, known as the Leo Trophy. Qualified NPSC competitors each flew contests in at least three different regions, with their best result from three regions earning qualifying NPSC points. These points are awarded to each pilot based on their percent rank performance of each independently ranked contest. This method isolates the results of each contest from other contests, such that the variations in conditions between contests are eliminated. Summing straight percent scores introduces problems in comparing pilot performance across contests due to contest-to-contest variations from wind differences, sky and cloud conditions, number of judges on the line, judging variations between contests (“hard versus easy”), use of boundary judges or not, sequences flown, etc.
The competition for this trophy builds slowly throughout the season as pilot results and NPSC points are added each week for each region. Pilots must compete in three different regions to earn NPSC points. The end-of-the-season (calendar year) contests add quite a bit of excitement, as adding the third region points can qualify pilots for the trophy, changing the leaderboard significantly. First-place pilots will have their name inscribed on the permanent Leo Trophy, which will be on display at the IAC Aerobatic Center. They also will receive individual trophies. First-, second-, and third-place winners will be awarded stickers indicating their NPSC standing.
Here are the first-, second-, and third-place results for the introductory year of the Leo Trophy, named in honor of famed IAC competitor Leo Loudenslager. Congratulations to the winners and contenders for the NPSC Leo Award.
| Sportsman | Intermediate | Advanced | Unlimited | |
| 1st place | Phillip Gragg | Brittanee Lincoln | Matthew Dunfee | n/a* |
| 2nd place | Ruedy Nathan | Jerry Esquenazi | Dave Watson | n/a |
| 3rd place | Marianne Fox | Leigh Hubner | Christopher Combs | n/a |
|
|
 |
 |
| Phillipp Gragg | Brittanee Lincoln | Matthew Dunfee |
Note: *An honorable mention goes to Jim Bourke in Unlimited. Jim was the only pilot that flew in three regions. Per P&P 227 of the IAC Policy and Procedure Manual, there is no winner in the Unlimited category for 2021. Due to bad weather, the Sebring fall contest added no qualified flights, and as a result, Jim was the only Unlimited pilot with three regions.
P&P 227 NPSC Changes for 2022
The requirement for two flights to be completed at a contest for the NPSC points to qualify has been eliminated going forward. Only one flight will be required at a contest in order for the points to qualify for NPSC points in the 2022 calendar year..
The Primary category has been added to the NPSC award in 2022, with a one-time restriction added for the Primary category winner.
Competitor Season Numbers for the 2021 NPSC Leo Trophy
| Competitor Summary | One Region | Two Regions | Three Regions | Total |
| Sportsman | 109 | 17 | 3 | 129 |
| Intermediate | 66 | 5 | 3 | 74 |
| Advanced | 40 | 9 | 61 | 23 |
| 281 |
Leo Update as of 10/26/2021
This NPSC LEO update includes updates from the Southern California Classic in Borrego (SW Region). Turnout at the Borrego contest was huge! A great contest by all accounts. Not included in this update are the results of the Keene Fall Classic (NE region) as the contest had to be canceled due to weather issues.
Sportsman
We have a new leader in Sportsman as Phillip Gragg added a 3rd region and has put together a 3 region total of 2.064 NPSC points.
Intermediate
Britt Lincoln continues to lead in the Intermediate Category with an impressive 3 region total of 2.436 NPSC points. Jerry Esquenazi added a 3rd region and is in the NPSC running with 2.05 NPSC points.
Advanced
In Advanced, US National Advanced Champion Matt Dunfee continues to hold the lead with an impressive 3 region total of 2.6844 NPSC points followed by another impressive NPSC total of 2.458 points by Dave Watson.
Unlimited
Jim Bourke's 3 region NPSC total is 2.202 points, but without another Unlimited competitor flying 3 regions, the title in Unlimited will not be awarded for 2021.
We've had a total of 278 pilots fly in contests so far this calendar year. It's been a great comeback from 2020!
Competitor Season numbers to date
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions Total
Sportsman 106 17 3 126
Intermediate 66 5 3 74
Advanced 40 9 6 55
Unlimited 18 4 1 23
278
Leo Update as of 10/5/2021
This week's NPSC LEO update adds the results from the Wildwoods Acroblast (NE Region)
The Wildwoods Acroblast was held last weekend and the NPSC results are now included. They had a very large field of 15 pilots in Sportsman!
Season numbers to date
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions
Sportsman 98 18 2
Intermediate 61 6 2
Advanced 40 8 6
Unlimited 17 4 1
Sportsman Point Leaders (3 Regions)
Nathan Ruedy 1.977
Marianne Fox 1.317
Intermediate Point Leaders (3 Regions)
Brittanee Lincoln 2.436
Leigh Hubner 1.981
Advanced Point Leaders (3 Regions)
Matt Dunfee 2.684
Dave Watson 2.458
Chris Combs 1.798
Unlimited Point Leaders (3 Regions - Need at least 2 Competitors for the NPSC)
Jim Bourke 2.203
Leo Update as of 9/26/2021
This week's NPSC LEO update adds the results from the US National Aerobatic Championships (SC Region).
The turnout at the US Nationals this week was tremendous and we had a fantastic competition for the top spots in all categories. This large field resulted in some new pilots qualifying their 3rd region for the US National Championship Point Series. The LEO trophy was on display in the registration area with a lot of interest.
Nathan Ruedy, Marianne Fox, Brittanee Lincoln, Leigh Hubner, Matt Dunfee, Dave Watson, Shaun Brautigan and Chris Combs have each flown in 3 different regions as you'll see in the results here and so have earned qualifying points in the series.
Season numbers
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions
Sportsman 94 18 2
Intermediate 60 6 2
Advanced 40 8 6
Unlimited 17 4 1
Sportsman Point Leaders (3 Regions)
Nathan Ruedy 1.977
Marianne Fox 1.317
Intermediate Point Leaders (3 Regions)
Brittanee Lincoln 2.436
Leigh Hubner 1.981
Advanced Point Leaders (3 Regions)
Matt Dunfee 2.684
Dave Watson 2.458
Chris Combs 1.798
Unlimited Point Leaders (3 Regions - Need at least 2 Competitors for the NPSC)
Jim Bourke 2.202
Leo Update as of 9/16/2021
This week's NPSC LEO update adds the results from Apple Turnover in Ephrata and the Michigan Open.
If you want a shot at your name on a Nationals trophy (the Leo), you need to fly contests in 3 regions. Nationals will count as a South-Central (SC) region contest, so be sure to fly Nationals if you have not yet recorded a SC contest! Take that step and go for a 3rd region to be eligible for the LEO!
Nathan Ruedy, Brittanee Lincoln, Leigh Hubner, Matt Dunfee, Dave Watson and Shaun Brautigan have each flown in 3 different regions as you'll see in the results here and so have earned qualifying points in the series.
Season numbers
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions
Sportsman 97 14 1
Intermediate 59 5 2
Advanced 39 7 3
Unlimited 14 2 0
Sportsman Point Leaders (3 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Michael and Lloyd)
Nathan Ruedy 1.763 (3 Regions)
Michael Hoy 1.832
Lloyd Massey 1.467
Intermediate Point Leaders (3 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Wayne)
Brittanee Lincoln 2.436 (3 regions)
Leigh Hubner 1.981 (3 Regions)
Wayne Asplundh 1.714
Advanced Point Leaders (3 Regions Best Rank Points Sum)
Matt Dunfee 2.607
Dave Watson 2.458
Shaun Brautigan 1.512
Unlimited Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum)
Jim Bourke 1.417
Dick Fennell 0.583
Leo Update as of 09/1/2021 (includes the James K Polk Invitational contest results)
This week's update adds the results from the Warrenton Virgina, James K Polk Invitational contest. Note: The Tennessee Music Highway Aerobatic Jam results are not yet available.
Here's a summary of the data now in the IACCDB related to the Leo trophy. If you want a shot at your name on a Nationals trophy (the Leo), be sure to fly contests in 3 regions in a calendar year. Nationals will count as a SC region contest, so be sure to fly Nationals if you have not yet recorded a SC contest!
Nathan Ruedy, Brittanee Lincoln, Matt Dunfee and Dave Watson have each flown in 3 different regions as you'll see in the results here and so have earned qualifying points in the series.
Season numbers
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions
Sportsman 94 11 1
Intermediate 49 6 1
Advanced 40 6 2
Unlimited 12 1 0
Sportsman Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Nathan)
Nathan Ruedy 1.763 (3 Regions)
Michael Hoy 1.832
Sara Arnold 1.427
Intermediate Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Brittanee)
Brittanee Lincoln 2.436 (3 regions)
Wayne Asplundh 1.714
Craig Fitzerald 1.639
Advanced Point Leaders (3 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Chris)
Matt Dunfee 2.607
Dave Watson 2.458
Chris Magon 1.381 (2 regions)
Unlimited Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum)
Jim Bourke 1.417
Leo Update as of 8/23/2021
Another week, another contest added to the NPSC results for the Leo Trophy. Note: The Salem results are available but not eligible for NPSC points due to only flying 1 flight. We've completed a lot of flying through early August with about 214 NPSC competitors spread across 17 NPSC qualified contests in this calendar year. Nathan Ruedy, Brittanee Lincoln, Matt Dunfee and Dave Watson have each flown in 3 different regions as you'll see in the results here and so have earned qualifying points in the series. It looks like the Advanced category is shaping up to be a tight battle between Matt Dunfee and Dave Watson. Dave closed the gap a little with his 1st place finish at the Western Regionals held last weekend in Sterling, CO. It could come down to who does better at the Nationals in September!
Season numbers
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions
Sportsman 87 11 1
Intermediate 48 5 1
Advanced 41 5 2
Unlimited 12 1 0
Sportsman Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Nathan)
Nathan Ruedy 1.763 (3 Regions)
Michael Hoy 1.832
Sara Arnold 1.427
Intermediate Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Brittanee)
Brittanee Lincoln 2.436 (3 regions)
Wayne Asplundh 1.714
Craig Fitzerald 1.639
Advanced Point Leaders (3 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Chris)
Matt Dunfee 2.607
Dave Watson 2.458
Chris Magon 1.381 (2 regions)
Unlimited Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum)
Jim Bourke 1.417
Bob Freeman
Director, International Aerobatic Club, Division of EAA
President, IAC Chapter 12, Rocky Mountain Aerobatic Club
303 709 6465 (mobile)
Left to Right: Nathan Ruedy - Sportsman, Brittanee Lincoln - Intermediate, Matt Dunfee - Advanced, Jim Bourke - Unlimited
August 17, 2021
We are starting to see some interesting progress in the National Championship Point Series. We've completed a lot of flying through early August with about 200 competitors spread across 16 contests. Nathan Ruedy, Brittanee Lincoln, Matt Dunfee and Dave Watson have each flown in 3 different regions as you'll see in the results here and so have earned qualifying points in the series. As of this week, we now have 3 Unlimited competitors that have each flown in 2 regions, up from 1 in the previous update. It looks like the Advanced category is shaping up to be a tight battle between Matt Dunfee and Dave Watson.
Season numbers
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions
Sportsman 86 11 1
Intermediate 48 5 1
Advanced 40 5 2
Unlimited 9 3 0
Sportsman Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Nathan)
Nathan Ruedy 1.763 (3 Regions)
Michael Hoy 1.832
Sara Arnold 1.427
Intermediate Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Brittanee)
Brittanee Lincoln 2.347 (3 regions)
Wayne Asplundh 1.714
Craig Fitzerald 1.639
Advanced Point Leaders (3 Regions Best Rank Points Sum except Chris)
Matt Dunfee 2.607
Dave Watson 2.250
Chris Magon 1.381 (2 regions)
Unlimited Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum)
Jim Bourke 1.417
Aaron McCartan 1.333
Craig Gifford 0.667
Thanks,
Bob
Director, International Aerobatic Club, Division of EAA
President, IAC Chapter 12, Rocky Mountain Aerobatic Club
303 709 6465 (mobile)
July 19, 2021
At this point in the competition season, there are many pilots that have flown in one or more contests in a single region, a few that have flown in one or more contests in two regions, and to date, none that have flown in three different regions. The battle for 1st place is very tight in Intermediate and Advanced is close. We need some more Unlimited pilots, which is challenging as there have only been a couple of contests that had an Unlimited category so far this year. Many pilots will add the SC region when they fly at the US Nationals in September.
Competitor Summary One Region Two Regions Three Regions
Sportsman 78 6 0
Intermediate 49 3 0
Advanced 34 4 0
Unlimited 9 1 0
Sportsman Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum)
Michael Hoy 1.823
Marianne Fox 1.221
Mark King 1.181
Intermediate Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum)
Jerry Esquenazi 1.55
Brittanee Lincoln 1.514
Jay Hanson 0.7
Advanced Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum)
Matt Dunfee 1.732
Dave Watson 1.500
Chris Magon 1.381
Unlimited Point Leaders (2 Regions Best Rank Points Sum) - NOTE: Need 2 competitors minimum to win
Jim Bourke 1.417
Thanks,
Bob
Bob
Director, International Aerobatic Club, Division of EAA
President, IAC Chapter 12, Rocky Mountain Aerobatic Club
303 709 6465 (mobile)
Left to Right: Michael Hoy's Monosport 360, Jerry Esquenazi's Extra 300S, Matt Dunfee's Extra 330SC, and Jim Bourke's Extra 330SC
June 29, 2021
Here are updated results after two contests held in June: The Midwest Aerobatic Championships in Seward, Nebraska and the Apple Cup in Ephrata, Washington.
We have many pilots that have flown in one region so far this season. We now have several pilots that have flown in 2 different regions, meaning they are the leaders in the Nationals Point Series Championship. They need one more region in their totals to get official NPSC points.
Sportsman: 54 Competitors this year to date
Point Sum for 2 Regions
- Marianne Fox 1.222
- Nathan Ruedy 0.9444
- Sean Moran 0.347
Intermediate: 41 Competitors this year to date
Point Sum for 2 Regions
- Britanee Lincoln 1.5138
- Jay Hanson 0.7
Advanced: 30 Competitors this year to date
Point Sum for 2 Regions
- Dave Watson 1.4999
- Christopher Magon 1.3808
- Christopher Combs 1.0833
- Shaun Brautigan 0.7618
Unlimited: 10 Competitors this year to date
Point Sum for 2 Regions
- Jim Bourke 1.417
Bob Freeman
Director, International Aerobatic Club, Division of EAA
President, IAC Chapter 12, Rocky Mountain Aerobatic Club
303 709 6465 (mobile)
May 3, 2021
Update, National Point Series Championship
NPSC potential ranking points are shown in the following tables and include results from contests reporting results in the IACCDB through 5/3/21.
As the calendar year progresses, the spreadsheets will grow in size as the contests more competitors get added. These are the results in terms of potential NPSC ranking points by category and competitor (so far this year). No one has any actual credited points until they fly in three different regions, which no one has done so far (it's early).
As a reminder, the sum of the pilot's highest-ranking points earned three different regions will determine their NPSC total for the season. The winner in each category will be the one with the highest sum for three regions, and the winners' names will be engraved on the LEO trophy.
Bob Freeman - NPSC Administrator
Sportsman Standings IAC/NPSC
Intermediate Standings IAC/NPSC
Advanced Standings IAC/NPSC
Unlimited Standings IAC/NPSC
April 4, 2021
The first contest of the year, the Snowbird Classic" has been completed (and it happens to be in the SE Region). Based on the results of that contest, the following pilots, by category, would earn points for the National Point Series Championship. Note that these points won't count until the pilot has flown contests in 3 different regions (Nationals counts in the SC Region). So, these pilots need to fly two more contests, in two regions not in the SE in order to qualify for the LEO. Points are awarded on the basis of percentile rank order of finish among the pilots competing in the contest.
