IAC Chapter 34
We're Here to Fly!

2009  IAC34  Aerobatic Scholarship Winner
Ben Gaertner
     Ben started off his professional training as a welder. The intense labor associated with the job and some lower back issues caused him to reconsider his career path.  He landed on aviation and commenced training. After receiving his Private Pilot license in June 2008 he rapidly followed with his instrument rating in September 2008.
     Multi-engine and Multi-engine commercial rating we accomplished during a two month stint in Florida.  Single engine commercial was accomplished in Dec 2008 in a Piper Arrow at Midwest Corporate Air in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
     CFI, CFII and MEI followed in April, May and June of 2009, once again at Midwest Corporate Air.
     Although he has accomplished a great deal in the past year or so he has a desire to continue honing and increasing his knowledge and skill set. He feels that additional training in aerobatics would be extremely helpful as he builds experience and knowledge in the aviation industry.
     His goal in becoming a flight instructor from the beginning has been to be the best that he can possibly be. He wants to pass on the highest quality knowledge and instruction possible. In order to do this he believes in continued learning and bettering himself as a professional aviator. He believes the aerobatic training would give him additional knowledge he can benefit from, along with his students.
     Congratulations Ben!

 

2008  IAC34  Aerobatic Scholarship Winner
Brad Lawson 
  Brad is a third generation aviator. He is extremely 
  motivated to experience different realms of flight.  He is a
  professional airline pilot with ComAir based in CVG. 
  Besides his commercial license he also holds glider,
  ASEL, ASES and AMEL privileges.  When not at his
  regular job he spends his spare time at Red Stewart Airfield
  doing part time flight instructing, flying the tow plane for the
  glider operation and he also helps with the restoration of his
  grandfather's 1946 Taylorcraft BC12D.
     Brad's life is saturated with aviation related activities, but he still wants more.  His goal is to build the experience required to become an aerobatic instructor. He loves to enlighten fellow pilots about aerobatics and spread the good word that anyone with an interest can participate, from upset recovery training to recreational aerobatics to competition aerobatics.
     Brad promotes and supports IAC and believes that expanding one's horizons to experience this type of training and improving good old fashioned stick and rudder skills.  He has been excited about aerobatics since taking his first spin lesson with Gordon Penner, MCFI-A during his primary training a number of years ago.
     One of the main reasons Brad started his airline career was so that one day he could afford an aerobatic airplane. He states he surely didn't get into the airline career for "job security". While at his airline job he likes to expose those in the airline industry who have been so concentrated on the training aspect of General Aviation and flying as a "job" that they can't recall taking out an airplane for a joyride strictly for fun.  He feels it is a travesty that these pilots are missing out on such a thrilling experience.  Some are not even aware that this type of training is readily available at a local airport like Red Stewart Airfield.
     Brad believes that being the recipient of the IAC34 aerobatic scholarship will aid him on his mission to advance the sport of aerobatics and serve to educate pilots and non-pilots about the opportunities that abound in aerobatic training.
     Congratulations Brad!

 

2007  IAC34  Aerobatic Scholarship Winner
Adam Hermanns
Adam started flying at age 14, by his 16th birthday he had soled 2 aircraft.  He was the proverbial airport kid that cut the grass and worked around the airport to earn flying time. Adam enlisted in the Ohio National Guard after graduating from high school, where he was an outstanding member of his unit and received many awards and commendations for his service. He then headed to Athens, Oh to pursue his degree in Aviation Flight at Ohio University.

After earning a private pilot license, he went on to earn his Instrument, Commercial and Multi-Engine while working on his college degree.  He converted an internship with NetJets into a full time job as a Coordinator working in the Flight Center for Netjets.

Adams future goals include, becoming a Flight Dispatcher, finishing his CFI and CFII and working as an instructor at the NetJets Flight School.

With his background in aviation and desire to explain the benefits of aerobatic training and its importance to safety with his students, he succeeded as the leading candidate for the scholarship.

Congratulations, Adam!

 

The 2006 award recipient is Melissa Parikh.

Missy has been a member of the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) for 2 years. In addition to participating in IAC she is also an active member of the Aircraft owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and Women in Aviation (WAI).
She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1999, and a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2004.  Missy has worked for various aviation-related companies including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), of which she is currently employed as an Aviation Safety Technician.
 
Missy received her Private Pilot Certificate September 2005. She acquired her tailwheel endorsement in December 2005. She has flown in  Cessna 150 and 172, Aeronca Champ, a Fairchild PT-26 and a Citabria.  She took a couple of aerobatic flights in a Decathlon in the summer of 2006.

She became interested in aerobatics after attending her first IAC34 meeting in the fall of 2004.  At first, she thought aerobatic instruction would be a good way to conquer her fear of stalls and spins.  Then she found that aerobatics were incredibly fun and challenging, as it requires a high level of alertness and concentration.  She believes that aerobatic flying will greatly improve her piloting skills.

Missy has a passion and desire to improve her flying skills.  She is planning on competing in aerobatic competition in the future.  Her belief is that every IAC member has the responsibility of encouraging others to become involved in aerobatics, and of explaining the benefits reaped from this type of precision flying.  She will be able to reach pilots and non-pilots of all skill levels through her choice of employment and the aviation organizations that she belongs to.

She will be spreading the joy of flying aerobatics through voluntary presentations, social discussions, internet chat forums, and newsletter articles.  As a result, both Missy and the local aviation community will benefit from increased awareness and participation.

Congratulations Missy!