# IAC36

> The San Diego Hammerheads


## Posts

- [Join us for 2025 Akrofest](https://iac36.org/akrofest-2025/): Join us for 2025 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 […]
- [Join us for 2025 Hammerhead Roundup](https://iac36.org/join-us-for-2025-hammerhead-roundup-2345/): Join us for 2025 Hammerhead Roundup 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 […]
- [Chapter Meeting Newsletter](https://iac36.org/chapter-meeting-newsletter/): A summary of the IAC Chapter 36 Meeting. 
- [IAC Chapter 36 News](https://iac36.org/iac-chapter-36-news/): For the first time in recent memory Borrego weather behaved itself for the full length of a contest: moderate temperatures and light winds throughout. Since we had a full house--44 pilots--good weather was a welcome component.
- [Join us for 2024 Akrofest](https://iac36.org/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 […]
- [Join us for 2024 Hammerhead Roundup](https://iac36.org/join-us-for-2024-hammerhead-roundup/): Join us for 2024 Hammerhead Roundup 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 […]
- [Join us for 2023 Akrofest!](https://iac36.org/join-us-for-2023-akrofest/): Akrofest 2023 Join us for Akrofest 2023 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 […]
- [A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB](https://iac36.org/a-brief-history-of-the-international-aerobatic-club/): In order to understand the genesis of the IAC, we need to go back to the earliest days of aviation. In 1905 the oldest aviation organization in America was formed, the Aero Club of America. It was in existence before the Wright flyer, and encouraged balloon flight records! It was a spin off of the Automobile Club of America. It was responsible for some of the most prestigious awards in aviation, such as the Collier Trophy, and validated the Wright brothers’ flights. It joined seven other aero clubs in Europe to form the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, or FAI, which is […]
- [Flying Your First Contest](https://iac36.org/flying-your-first-contest/): So you’re thinking about flying your first contest. Great! Let me share my experience so you’ll know what to expect and how to prepare. Volunteering I started by attending several contests not as a competitor, but as a volunteer. That lets you see what a contest is like from a front-row seat! When you arrive, find the Volunteer Coordinator. Even if you know nothing about competition aerobatics, there’s plenty you can do. You’ll work a variety of positions in one day, so you’ll learn a ton—just bring sunscreen! Roles Here’s just a few of the jobs you might find yourself […]
- [Spring HammerHead Roundup](https://iac36.org/spring-hammerhead-roundup/): Join us in Borrego for the first IAC 36 2021 contest: April 29-May 1!
- [WHY COMPETITION AEROBATICS?](https://iac36.org/why-competition-aerobatics/): Aerobatics is flying just for joy.  It is the freedom to climb and dive, bank, turn and roll, loop and spin.  Competition brings discipline to the frolicking and dancing in the sky.  It is a way to measure the flying performance and grade the pilot’s skill.  Competition aerobatics is not dare-devil, risky flying.  It is very precise maneuvering with airplanes specifically designed to withstand the loads and stresses associated with all attitude flying versus the normal flying confines of 30 degrees pitch and 60 degrees bank relative to the horizon. Safety is paramount in competition aerobatics.  The two major causes […]

## Pages

- [Email list](https://iac36.org/email-list/): Here’s a comma separated list of all emails of current chapter members: Here’s a comma separated list of all emails of 2025 chapter members (excluding current): Here’s a comma separated list of all emails of 2024 chapter members (excluding more recently active): Here’s a comma separated list of all emails of 2023 chapter members ((excluding more recently active):
- [Member Directory](https://iac36.org/member-directory/)
- [Member Cancel](https://iac36.org/member-cancel/)
- [Member Confirmation](https://iac36.org/member-confirmation/)
- [Your Profile](https://iac36.org/myaccount/your-profile/)
- [Member Checkout](https://iac36.org/join/): If the online payment does not work for you. Please email the club treasurer, Harald Schaefer, at harald.the.engineer@gmail.com.
- [Log In](https://iac36.org/login/)
- [Member Payment](https://iac36.org/member-payment/): [pmpro_levels]
- [Member account](https://iac36.org/myaccount/)
- [Member registration](https://iac36.org/member-registration/)
- [Newsletter](https://iac36.org/newsletter/): NewsLetter IAC 36 Latest NewsLetter Before 2023
- [Home](https://iac36.org/): IAC Chapter 36The San Diego HammerheadsThe home of aerobatics in Southern California.Join UsIAC Chapter 36The San Diego HammerheadsThe home of aerobatics in Southern California.Join Us Previous slide Next slide Aerobatics in California We’re Chapter 36 of the International Aerobatic Club. Since 1975, we’ve promoted precision aerobatics through coaching, competition, and camaraderie. Each year, IAC36 hosts two of the largest aerobatic contests in the country. Everyone from student pilots to world-level competitors takes part, so we’ve got a spot for you! Our home airport is Borrego Valley (L08), where you’ll find the world’s finest, permanent, surface-waivered aerobatic box. Read More Aerobatics in […]
- [Calendar](https://iac36.org/calendar/): [MEC id=”813″] Calendar Events 17-19 April 2026 Hammerhead Roundup Our first contest of the year, in Borrego Springs. register here December 2026 Aerobatic Box Closes   IAC’s aerobatic box in Borrego Springs closes for the entire month of December. TBD October 2026 Akrofest! Our second contest of the year, in Borrego Springs.
- [CIVA for the Regional IAC Member](https://iac36.org/civa-for-the-regional-iac-member/): CIVA for the Regional IAC member What is CIVA? Edit CIVA stands for “Commission Internationale de Voltige Aerienne” (literal translation from French would be “international commission for aerial art”) and is responsible for the administration of international aerobatic competition. It is part of the FAI (Federation Aeronautique Internationale). CIVA was formed in 1960 when the first modern World Aerobatic Championships was held in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. The host country won not only the World Championship, but 8 out the first 10 places. In recent years, with the advent of more sophisticated, controlled and overall improved judging and statistical scoring, this is […]
- [Contact Us](https://iac36.org/contact/): Contact Us Leadership Team Officers Bryan Jones President president@iac36.org Matt Sparks Vice President sparky@iac36.org Michael Church Secretary mc@iac36.org William G. Hill Treasurer bill@iac36.org Other Board Members Pawel Miko Director miko@iac36.org Harald Schaefer Director harald@iac36.org Alexis Nahama Director alexis@iac36.org Hiroyasu Endo Director endo@iac36.org Nicolaas Vlok Director nicolaas@iac36.org
- [Borrego Springs Aerobatic Box](https://iac36.org/box/): Borrego Springs Aerobatic Box THE Aerobatic Box IAC 36 is home to the world’s finest aerobatic box. It’s permanent, surface-waivered, and built with markers larger than CIVA standards. It was designed to host the World Championships and is now available to all IAC 36 members. Flights are authorized from 0900-Sunset on Monday-Saturday. The box is closed on Sundays, all major U.S. holidays, and the entire month of December. To use the box, you must first “open” it by following the procedure below. Remember that we’re guests in Borrego! Do not abuse our welcome by making unnecessary noise or flying over […]
- [About Us](https://iac36.org/about/): About Us What Is IAC 36?  The International Aerobatic Club is a national organization that promotes the sport of precision aerobatics. IAC is organized into local chapters that provide training and host contests. IAC 36 is the chapter for Southern California. IAC 36 was founded in 1975. Hundreds of pilots have started their aerobatic careers with us and many of them have gone on to compete at the world championships. We’re also one of the most active chapters in the country. We host two contests each year—one in April and one in October—that are usually the largest regional contests of the year. […]


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