44th Annual Giles Henderson Memorial Challenge Aerobatic Contest Held at Salem-Leckrone Airport

By Carmelo Turdo

The Giles Henderson Memorial Challenge Aerobatic Contest was held May 18 at Salem-Leckrone Airport in central Illinois. The 2019 event, previously known as the IAC Chapter 61 Salem Regional Aerobatic Contest, was the 44th edition of the longest continuously running competition in IAC history. The thirteen aircraft were rolled out from the airport hangar before the early Saturday morning briefing. 

Flying activity began after the judges briefed and lined up to score the contestants. Most of the judges have experience flying and judging previous contests, and each station included a judge, caller and recorder. The caller narrates the known routines as they are flown to give the judge additional aural reference to each maneuver. The recorder marks the judge's score and comments as each maneuver is completed. Each score sheet is collected after each flight before the next pilot is cleared into the aerobatic box.

Aerobatic Contest Pilots and Their Aircraft:

Jordan Heuerman, Pitts S-1S, First Place Primary

 

Alyssa Pasquale, Skybolt, Second Place Primary

Robert Hamilton, Pitts S-1C, First Place Sportsman, Grass Roots Medallion

 

John Strong, Super Decathlon, Second Place Sportsman, Highest Scoring First-Time Sportsman

 

Todd Ashcraft, Skybolt, Third Place Sportsman; Mariano Rosales, Seventh Place, Sportsman

Galen Killam, Vans RV-8, Fourth Place Sportsman

 

David Schmitz, Vans RV-8, Fifth Place Sportsman

 

Sean Sweeney, Staudacher S-300, Sixth Place Sportsman

 

James Heinz, Pitts S-2A, Eighth Place, Sportsman

 

Cameron Grossl, Christen Eagle II, First Place Intermediate

Steven Johnson, MX2, First Place Advanced

 

John Housley, Pitts S-2C, Second Place Advanced

 

Brent Smith, Pitts S-1S, Third Place Advanced

Steven Grohsmeyer, MXS, First Place Unlimited 

 

The Aero Experience commends IAC Chapter 61 for its distinguished record providing aerobatic contests in the heart of the Midwest and Salem-Leckrone Airport for hosting the event. Coverage of past contests can be found by searching The Aero Experience home page.