.	~ 2002 IAC Apple Cup ~	.
.	. International Aerobatics Club Ephrata, WA - May 16-18, 2002 - IAC#67 800x600 | 1024x768 The Apple Cup aerobatics competition is not the low-level, thrill-a-second, gravity-defying, spectator aerobatics "show" that is common at the larger airshows.  Rather, the sanctioned IAC event is intended as opportunity to for pilots, many of whom are purely recreational pilots, to test themselves as well as against one another in a series of aerobatic routines.  As such, the casual spectator may miss some of the finer subtleties and challenges of the event. But to the pilots, flying the precision of a complex series of aerobatic maneuvers is anything but casual.... . ~Click on pictures to enlarge~ Great Lakes & Pitts THE AEROBATIC BOX The aerobatic box is the area in which the aerobatic competitions take place.  It is a block of air 3,300 feet long (1,000 meters) by 3,300 feet wide with corresponding markers on the ground.  The upper and lower limits of the box are set based on the competition category (Basic, Sportsman, Intermediate, Advanced, or Unlimited) and range from a lower limit of 1500' to 328' AGL with a typical ceiling of 3500' AGL.  The competitor has to stay within these lateral and vertical limits of the box throughout the aerobatic routine.   Penalties are subtracted from the score if a pilot violates the boundary of the aerobatic box. Russian SU-26mx 800x600 | 1024x768 The competition is scored based on a pilot's precision in flying the aerobatic routines within the aerobatic box.  A routine will consist of a series of aerobatic maneuvers sequentially linked.  These maneuvers can range from simple loops or rolls to highly technical combinations of maneuvers.   Each pilot will fly a series of routines consisting of pre-assigned and practiced routines, a freestyle routine of the pilot's choice, and a "blind" routine that is assigned at the competition which each pilot must fly without practice. Aviat Eagle II 800x600 | 1024x768 Aviat Eagle II Great Lakes  Pitts S2 Pitts S1 Edge 540 Pitts S1 Edge 540 Edge 540 Edge 540 Christen Eagle Edge 540 SU-26mx Yak Edge 540 .  Interested in more?  Visit the IAC Website! ~ Back ~	.
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