Last year went by so quickly, it all seemed a blur. Where did it GO? We now have to write 2012 on our checks when we were just getting used to 2011.

The pilots of the Northern Regions are breaking out the Winter jackets and “winterizing” their airplanes, while the “Southerners” are still mixing oil and giving the 2012 IMAC sequences a bit of a work-out. In actuality, the new competition season has just started and many contests are already appearing in each region’s calendar. The Sequence Committee’s Unknown request “jar” is also filling up, so there are wheels churning in the background although it does not show “up front”.

MEXICO FINALS 2011: Don Hamilton and I were invited to attend this event in mid-November by the executives of IMAC Mexico. It was an experience that will not be forgotten! We were treated royally in Mexico and can report that the enthusiasm level for flying IMAC is at the top of the charts. IMAC Mexico’s President (Fernando Torres) and Secretary (Alvaro de Luna) spearheaded the event which was held in Texcoco, an R/C field approximately 45 minutes outside of Mexico City. The event had 32 competitors in all categories up to and including Advanced. There were no Unlimited pilots. The largest class was Basic and we can see a healthy future for IMAC in that country. Don and I put on an informal Judging School at the field on Friday prior to the contest after observing the pilots practicing the sequences. We judged all the classes on Saturday along with judges from Mexico. On Sunday, we went through the judging criteria of each Unknown with the pilots and judges so that all understood what had to be done. Don did an excellent job of translating as he is very fluent in Spanish and by Saturday night I was able to understand much of what was being said. Most of the pilots spoke a little English, so communication was there. I must say that the Freestyle event was very impressive and that these pilots can hold their own at ANY IMAC contest, anywhere! At the prize giving ceremony we were both presented with silver mementos of our visit and also the Mexican flag which was signed by all the competitors. There was much talk about some of the pilots journeying to Muncie to compete at the Scale Aerobatics NATS in 2012. Don’t be surprised if you meet some Mexican pilots there in July!

IAC (International Aerobatic Club) has started the process of investigating on-line training. As mentioned in my last report, we were contacted regarding our own on-line training which our Education Committee had completed. We will be updated on the IAC’s progress and I have already contacted the “architects” of our system who have indicated that they are ready to assist the IAC in their endeavor if needed. I have also contacted Jeff Boerboon, 2010 USA National Unlimited Aerobatics Champion and will be discussing the possibility of him being one of the liaisons between the IAC and IMAC, since Jeff was a previous IMAC competitor prior to moving into full scale competition.

2012 SCORE! Software: IMAC has been MOST fortunate in having an individual like Dave Smith of Colorado, whose generosity far surpasses anything we can write about, to update the scoring software that we use in all of the IMAC contests worldwide. Dave has now rewritten a new version (SCORE! 3.2) which is now available for all CD’s and scorekeepers to download and familiarize themselves with for the 2012 competition season. Please do not take for granted all the work that has been done by Dave to keep IMAC contests running smoothly. We DO thank you Dave! We would also like to thank Mike Karnes of Indiana who updated the data files with the 2012 IMAC sequences information. There are MANY individuals who work tirelessly, on a volunteer basis, to keep IMAC running smoothly. We will shortly be announcing On-Line Training for the SCORE! software. This again, will be handled by knowledgeable and dedicated instructors, Kent Porter and Phyllis Youngblood, who had previously hosted scorekeeping training in 2011. Thank you both for everything that you do for IMAC.

2012 NATS: Gil Major is already working hard as the Event Director for 2012. Gil has listed the NATS in each of the 6 region’s contest calendars and is asking pilots who are planning on attending the event to please register so that he can get the AMA to send the required forms to be filled out. Gil has also arranged with the AMA, telephone registration for pilots who prefer that method. Further information can be found in the NATS Forum.

IMAC Auctions: The IMAC auctions have been progressing well. Up until now, we have held three auctions (1) Extreme Flight 125” Extra 300, (2) Desert Aircraft DA 170, (3) Hangar 9, 3.1m Sukhoi.26MM. These items were obtained from our advertisers in lieu of payment for website advertising. This is one way that IMAC helps in offsetting cost to advertisers and hopefully we can attract more advertisers to the IMAC site. Members should consider the positives by utilizing our website more and having higher traffic statistics. Please support the companies that do support us.

iPad, iPod, Android Information: Bill James has been working very hard to update the technology and we would like to express a BIG THANK YOU to Bill for all the programming that he has done to take us forward into this sphere. Bill also has some plans regarding tablets that he has discussed with the BOD and this will also move us into a different mode of communication to enhance IMAC. Nick White of Illinois has also put in a tremendous amount of work on the Android side of things. Nick, we appreciate all you have done for IMAC that will balance the various technologies.

Well, the contest season is about to start for 2012. The first two contests are in the SW and SE regions on January 14…..Just 2 weeks away. I just can’t believe it is happening already. GOT to get out for some practice….. Anyone care to join me?

Safe flying to all.

Wayne