Join us for 2024 Akrofest

Join us for 2024 Akrofest in beautiful Borrego Springs, California! By day, you’ll fly in the world’s finest aerobatic box—permanently surface-waivered, built beyond CIVA standards, designed to host the world championships, and practically visible from space. By night, you’ll trade laughs with some of the world’s finest pilots at a relaxing desert resort.

The box is right next to a 5,000-foot runway and the judging line is right next to that. No shuffling to some remote cow patty; all the action happens right at Borrego. You’ll even have spectators! We invite the whole town to come watch the contest.

Lodging

The banquet will be at the Borrego Springs Resort, which you can call at (760) 767-5700. Ask for the “Aerobatic Pilots Rate”. Call early because it sells out! 

You can also try Palm Canyon RV Resort at (760) 767-5341, or Casa Del Zoro at (760) 767-0100. There are also cheap motels in town, a few minutes from the field.

Transportation

Rental cars, Uber, and Lyft are usually not available. However, the Borrego Springs Resort has a free shuttle you can call on demand. It’s a 5-minute ride. Some people will also have cars available. Ground transportation has never been a problem.

Categories

Power:

      • All 5 categories

      • Unlimited 4-minute Free (smoke oil and sound system on site.)

    Glider:

        • All 5 categories

        • *Please contact the CD so we can confirm type, tow-plane status, etc.

      Bottom line: if you have a thing with wings, it’s welcome in Borrego.  

      Schedule

      Thursday, October 24:

          • 0800 to 1600 — Registration

          • 0900 to Sunset — Practice

          • Sunset — BBQ at airport

        Friday, October 25:

            • 0700 — Mandatory Pilot Briefing

            • 0830 — Flying

          Saturday, October 26:

              • 0700 — Mandatory Pilot Briefing

              • 0830 — Flying

              • 1730 — Cocktail Hour at the Borrego Springs Resort

              • 1830 — Awards Banquet

            Pre-registration

            Do NOT use the IAC pre-registration system. Visit https://iac36.org/register to join the contest.

            Frees

            If you’d like, email your Free sequence (ideally as an openaero.net link) to [email protected] and we’ll print copies for you so you don’t have to bring any. To use this service, you MUST email your Free no later than 10 days before the contest.

            Pricing

            Early Entry Fee (register and pay before or on October 22) — $299
            Normal Entry Fee — $330

            PROBABLY.. Includes:

                • Two breakfasts (coffee, croissants, juice)

                • Two lunches

                • Award Banquet Dinner

                • T-shirt (IF you register no later than 10 days before contest)

              First-time Primary competitors also receive a free one-year membership to IAC 36 ($50 value), which allows them to practice in the Borrego aerobatic box year-round.