Three Aviation Technologies students, Caleb Robinson, Nick Reinhardt and Tom Rybarczyk, missed a successful defense of their championship in the Intercollegiate Division of the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) competition by only a few thousandths of a point. Had they succeeded, the third consecutive national title would have given AvTech permanent possession of the large, alabaster traveling trophy awarded by the Experimental Aircraft Association (see photo below). Although they missed the three-peat, second place in the IAC Championships, is, nevertheless, a tremendous accomplishment, and we congratulate these three Aviation Technologies students.

Last year's competitors were Matt Boehm, who took individual honors as top national intercollegiate aerobatic pilot, Sean Roarty and Caleb Robinson. AvTech students and members of the Rotor and Wing Association of America (RWAA), an SIUC Registered Student Organization (RSO), first competed in 2001, the inaugural year for the IAC's Intercollegiate Aerobatic Competition. That year's team consisted of Roarty, Boehm, and Ty Englehardt. The latter two are currently employed by Klein Tools as corporate pilots and mechanics. Sean Roarty is working as a technician and continues to fly in aerobatic competitions.

Last year's flyers were honored January 11th, 2004 at an award ceremony in Springfield, Illinois, during the Certified Flight Instructors Seminar sponsored by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics. Later in the month, the SIUC students were presented the official IAC trophy and individual awards during a ceremony at Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) headquarters in Oshkosh, WI. These awards were presented by EAA president, Tom Poberezny, American Champion Aircraft Corporation president Jerry Melhoff, and representatives from Klein Tool.