2026 Michigan Aerobatic Open
Contest Dates are July 11 and 12, 2026
Bay City James Clements Airport 3CM
Schedule:
Times are not firm and will be adjusted to suit conditions.
July 9 Box day
July 10 Registration and Practice, Pizza dinner
July 11 7:30 Pilot briefing, competition flights begin, Lunch available on site, when we are done flying banquet at the Dora hangar
July 12 7:30 Pilot briefing, competition flights begin, Lunch available on site, finish up flights, awards
Fuel available by self-serve, American Express is not accepted Bring your VISA or MC.
Contest Director: Dan Unger, unger1949@gmail.com, 586-675-6030
Assistant CD: Hugo Ritzenthaler, hritzenthaler@att.net, 586-588-0145
PRE-REGISTRATION:
To facilitate the registration process, we are asking competitors to pre-register before the deadline of July 10 by emailing the Registration, Tech and Volunteer Sign-Up forms as well a copy of their signed Free Sequence to: to be announced
Forms: https://www.iac.org/sites/www.iac.org/files/IAC%20Official%20Entry%20Form%20-%20editable%20RV.pdf
HOTEL:
Official Contest Hotel: Holiday Inn Express, 3959 Traxler Court, Bay City, MI 48706, Phone 989-667-3800
Group Rate: King Standard $140.00 + tax, Double Queen Standard $150.00 + tax
Group Code: International Aerobatic Club - Chapter 88
Cutoff Date: June 10, 2026
For booking on-line:
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Choose the check in/check out date
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Click "View Prices"
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Go to "Rate Preference"
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Choose Group Rate
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Enter the code "MBK" and all necessary details
HIGHEST SCORING BIPLANE MEDAL will be awarded
Aerobatic Contest Checklist
Prior to the contest:
- Check parachute will be current.
- Check Insurance paperwork to ensure aircraft has up-to-date insurance coverage (minimum of $1M liability)
- Check Aircraft will be in annual.
- Check that your Medical will be current.
- Check that aircraft has functioning radio.
- Check that your Free forms (A, B, C) are approved and signed. (This is for Intermediate, Advanced, and Unlimited. Also applies to Sportsman if you have your own Free program.)
- Make hotel and car rental reservations.
- Call or email the Contest Director for any special instructions.
Take to contest:
- Proof of insurance (binder letter or copy of declarations page is acceptable)
- Pilots license
- Current Pilot Medical
- Current IAC member card.
- Checkbook and Cash
- Copies of your Freestyle (we recommend 10 Form A, and 15 each for Forms B & C; however these numbers vary for different contests)
- Contest Rule Book (optional)
- Check Aircraft for ARROW documents:
- Airworthiness Certificate
- Registration Certificate
- Operating limitations
- Weight and Balance documents for your particular aircraft. Generic weight and balance documents are not sufficient.
- Aircraft logbook, or copy, showing the aircraft is in annual.
- Parachute (and current pack card)
- Current navigational charts
- Fuel filler hose (Pitts types) (optional)
- Oil filler spout (optional)
- Tool kit
- Sun Screen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Chargers for battery-powered devices (cell phone, GPS, etc.)
