By : Karen Diamond

After World War I, and until the 1940's "barnstorming" became popular in the US Named "barnstorming" because the flying usually took place at farms (and fliers occasionally flew through open barn doors), barnstormers would usually first buzz the town to let everyone known they had arrived. The pilots would then proceed to perform aerobatic maneuvers and other stunts, leaving the crowds open-mouthed. Barnstorming, despite its heavy toll of mishaps, served to promote the benefits of aviation to the public. Additionally, barnstorming most certainly was America's predecessor to air racing, airshows and aerobatic competition.

"1980'S BEST IN THE WORLD" Betty Stewart and Leo Loudenslager made America proud in 1980-Betty claiming the title of "Women's World Aerobatic Champion" and Leo claiming the "Overall World Aerobatic Champion" title. Stewart went on to claim the Women's title again in 1982 at the WAC in Spitzerberg, Austria. Photo from ACA Archives

"CURTIS AND DUANE" Aerobatic veterans Curtis Pitts and Duane Cole share a moment at Fond du Lac in the 1970's. Both have made immense contributions to our sport-Pitts through his legendary aircraft design and Cole, along with his brother Marion, through his famous Cole Brother's airshow act. Cole, the 1962 and 1964 US Champion, organized the first sanctioned US Nationals in Phoenix, Arizona in 1962. Photo from IAC Archives

 

"FIVE ACES" This lineup of aerobatic greats encompasses three generations of the sport. Mike Murphy (left) was a three-time Freddie Lund Trophy winner and former CIVA President. Charlie Hillard (second from left) was America's first World Aerobatic Champion (1970) and former President of the ACA. Harold Krier (seated in cockpit) was a longtime Aerobatic Champion.

Art Scholl (fourth from left) was National Champion in 1974 and made his Super Chipmunk famous at airshows across the country, and Bob Herendeen (far right) was one of the first exponents of the Pitts in competition and two-time National Aerobatic Champion. A mechanic is seated on Krier's Chipmunk's left wing. Tragically, four of the five, Hillard, Krier, Scholl and Herendeen, were to lose their lives in aerobatic-related airplane accidents. Photo from ACA Archives

"RACEY LACEY" Jim Lacey of Dundee, Illinois in 1973 with his Pitts Racey Lacey, N310L, that he built in the late 1960's. Jim was one of the original group of Chicago area aerobatic pilots who helped form the IAC in late 1969 and early 1970. Jim was known for his exuberant personality and sense of humor and was loved by everyone who knew him. He died several years ago after his retirement as a Captain for United Airlines. Photo by Dick Stouffer

"THE FLYING PROFESSOR" Art Scholl of Riverside, California strikes a pose in front of his Super Chipmunk. Art took over from Paul Mantz as Hollywood's premier movie stunt pilot while also maintaining a busy airshow and competition schedule. Art was named National Aerobatic Champion in 1974 flying a Pitts S1-S after years of competition in his Chipmunk. He lost his life flying an S2-A during filming of the movie "Top Gun" and will always be remembered for his aggressive flying style and gentle personality. [Photo from ACA Archives - see also www.artscholl.com]

"LITTLE MULLIGAN" This candid shot shows an unidentified person propping Harold Neumann's Monocoupe, Little Mulligan. Neumann was a well-known champion air racer, but most aerobatic pilots remember him while he was in his 70's - actively competing in Little Mulligan. Photo from ACA Archives

"FIRST FONDY"Judges, pilots and officials of the first contest held at Fond du Lac in 1970. Photo by Dick Stouffer

"THE FIGHTER PILOT" is instant fear and lasting courage. He may be young or old. He has an aversion for navigators, bomber pilots and extended alerts. His natural habitat on the ground is sports cars and happy hours. His conversation revolves around a continuous chatter on flying, chug-a-lugging and females. His flying suit pockets carry checklists, knife, nylon cord, hanky, inhaler, cigarettes, pack of cards, gloves, pen, coded phone numbers, flashlight, wallet, keys, pulp paper short story, St Christopher and some unidentified stuff. In the air he is cool, alert, aggressive and supremely confident.

On the gunnery range, he becomes part falcon, cat and barracuda as he dives on his target. This is the moment of truth. At home with family, he is a straight arrow, but at beer call with his cohorts, he is a teller of hairy tales. He is present, past and future rolled into one. Most of all, he is a fighter pilot. With the throttle and stick, he is shackled to a thirty million dollar blowtorch. He gets the most out of every minute of every hour of every day of his life. To court death daily, to laugh at it, is the profession of a fighter pilot. To this airman, it is more than that - it is a sacred duty.

"MODERN AEROBATIC PILOT - 1999" A competition aerobatic pilot is… ALL that a fighter pilot is made of. They are out of the same mold. They are not part of the masses that live in a gray twilight, never to know victory or defeat - for if you will not risk failure, you will surely surrender success.

They both live a life of adventure, checkered with setbacks and wins, but it is a life worth remembering. A life without adventure is dull, but a life in which adventure is allowed to take whatever form it will, is short. To these pilots, life is either a daring adventure, with exciting escapades-or it is nothing. To keep their faces toward eventualities and act like free spirits in the presence of danger is strength undefeatable. The uninvolved people let others do their daring and carry out their dreams. They never understand the mind behind the acts of flamboyance, of those who dare the unknown, lead the way and clutch the prize. The reward of a thing well done is to have done it, for the great end of life is not knowledge, but action. It is a natural assessment of every pilot you meet, "Would they make a good fighter or competition pilot?" Transitioning from fighter pilot to competition aerobatic pilot was easy as IAC competitors, Basic to Unlimited, would make A#1, fine type, Cracker Jack, first class fighter pilots. Photo of 1999-2000 US Aerobatic Team member David Windmiller piloting his Extra 300L.Photo by Paul Generowicz

"THE PETR N NESTEROV CUP" was donated to FAI in 1962 by the USSR in commemoration of Lt Petr Nikolaevich Nesterov, of the Imperial Russian Air Service. On September 9, 1913, Nesterov literally launched aerobatic history by performing the first loop in a Nieuport IV monoplane near Kiev. He was arrested for 10 days for taking undue risk with a government-owned machine, but later promoted to Staff Captain. The Nesterov Cup is an antique piece featuring intricate silver work and a depiction of Nesterov on the front. The trophy is awarded to the Men's World Team Champions of the World Aerobatic Championships. It was first awarded in 1962 to the Hungarian Team.

"WORLD CHAMPION" The honor and glory of winning the title "Overall World Aerobatic Champion" is reflected here as 1996 World Champion Victor Chmal hoists the coveted Aresti Cup. The cup was established in 1964 and donated to FAI by Jose Aresti himself. The huge cup is ornate - made of silver with pure gold epaulettes on each side, that at the time were valued at $22,000. FAI member nations have each furnished a large gold coin and emblem of their national aeroclub that adorn the body of the cup. The Jose L Aresti Cup is awarded at each World Championships to the Overall World Aerobatic Champion-male or female. Photo by Krik Fulton, taken at the 1996 WAC in Oklahoma City.

"THANK YOU, CURTIS" Curtis Pitts, the legendary airplane designer that made it possible for hundreds of pilots to fly aerobatics. From the beginning - the design and building of the 55 horsepower "Number One" 55 years ago - the Pitts Special designs endure today as the most popular aerobatic mount in the United States. Here, Mr Pitts poses with four of his designs: A 1974 Pitts S-2A owned by Phillip Gray of Ada, MI; "Sampson" replica powerd by a 450 hp Pratt & Whitney built by Steve Wolf in 1985 and now owned by Bobby Younkin; Pitts Model 12, powered by the Russian-built Vendenyev M-14P engine, built by Kimball Enterprises of Zellwood, FL; and a Pitts S-1C, a replica of 1951 US.

Women's Champion Caro Baley's S-1. The aircraft was built and is owned by Ted Teach of Dayton, OH. Kenny Blalock of Airtech Coating Systems completed the fabric, and assembly of the S-1C. Mr Pitts said, "Airplanes got a hold of me real early and just never seemed to let go…" At the end of this century, we as an aerobatic community are most grateful for that fact. In the words of noted author Budd Davisson "FREEDOM, THE NAME IS PITS SPECIAL". Thank you, Curtis….from all of us. Photo setup and shot by Michel Julien at AirVenture Oshkosh, August 1999.

"SISTEMA AEROCRIPTOGRAFICO ARESTI" The cover of the 1967 edition of what is known today as the FAI Aerobatic Catalogue. The system of depicting aerobatic maneuvers was conceived by JL Aresti of Spain and first published by him in 1961. The FAI officially adopted his system of illustrating aerobatic figures and the corresponding difficulty coefficients in 1964. In the acknowledgements in this edition, the author states, "To all pilots fond of aviation that with their ardor enthusiasm and great sportiveness did contribute to the graphical representation and actual perfection and development of the Artistic Flight all over the World". - JL Aresti Today, the word "Aresti" is a household name among aerobatic pilots. Above the entrance of the IAC Pavillion in Oshkosh, Wisconsin is a sign that reads "ARESTI SPOKEN HERE".