FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATHERTON PILOT WINS AEROBATIC COMPETITION

Chandler, AZ – Norm DeWitt, a resident of Atherton, CA placed first at the Championships of the Americas aerobatic flying contest held March 26 – 31, 2000 in Chandler, AZ. Norm bested a field of 19 competitors to place first in the Advanced category, one of five categories in competitive aerobatics.

In competitive aerobatics, pilots display their talents and knowledge by flying a sequence of specific maneuvers. These maneuvers may be a standardized series of sequences referred to as “known sequences” that have been practiced in advance by each competitor, or routines unknown to the pilot until shortly before the competitive flight, referred to as “unknown sequences”. Trained judges score each competitor on how each sequence is performed. Competitors compete for trophies, achievement awards, and national and international recognition.

For his performance, Norm was awarded a beautiful crystal trophy by the International Aerobatic Club (IAC). He is now the reigning IAC Advanced Champion of the Americas. Since this contest was internationally sanctioned by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), he also earned a gold medal similar to the medals awarded at the Olympic Games.

Norm has been flying for more than 35 years and competing for 5 years. He owns and flies a Zivko Edge 540 monoplane that is one of the highest performance aerobatic airplanes available in the world. The plane weighs 1160 pounds and has a “souped up” engine producing 387 HP. The plane utilizes carbon fiber throughout, and is stressed to +/- 12 G’s. The roll rate is 420 degrees per second. Norm also performs in air shows throughout California and Arizona.