With the demise of the TOC, our sport has lost its premier event and show case. Maybe some day another Bill Bennett will arrive with the vision, ability, drive, hospitality, and financial horsepower to "give" us a premier contest like the TOC was.

In the meantime...... the concept of "Oh well, we can't have a big time event without the deep pockets of a philanthropist." really bothers me. With the hard work of those with a passion for our sport, and the financial support of those companies involved in our sport, we can do a lot, for ourselves, to produce a great event.

Top level judging, organization, flying, and prizes will set the Tucson Aerobatic Shootout apart from all other contests. The aerobatic world will be watching this event. Without a doubt, this will be the "Mother of all IMAC contests"!

The higher than normal entry fees are a key component to producing and guaranteeing a significant prize pool. With additional sponsorship cash and a huge array of prizes, we are currently well on our way to producing a prize pool valued at over $40,000.00!

The entry fee will, understandably, be a factor in some pilot's decision to enter or not. Obviously, this event can't be everything to everybody. There will always be other events with different philosophies and lower entry fees.

Many will come knowing their odds of winning their class are small, but they look forward to pushing themselves to the limit against some of the best pilots in our sport. For those keeping track, I sincerely believe every entrant will get his "money's worth" of high quality competition, let alone prizes. Competition will be fierce in all classes.

With the coverage of the Shootout by the modeling press, from several countries, we will receive a great boost for our sport.

Those that attended the 2001 Tucson Aerobatic Shootout had a great time and I believe the 2003 event will be even better.

Hope to see you at the 2003 Tucson Aerobatic Shootout.

Dave Johnson
Desert Aircraft