EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — Jim Bourke of Corvallis, Oregon, has been elected president of the International Aerobatic Club, a division of the Experimental Aircraft Association dedicated to the safety and promotion of aerobatic flight.
Bourke succeeds Robert Armstrong, who served as IAC president since March 2018.
“We thank Robert for serving as IAC president during a time that brought many changes to IAC and the aerobatic flight community,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and chairman of the board. “We look forward to working with Jim, whose background in both competition aerobatics and air show performances give him in-depth knowledge to serve the IAC membership.”
Bourke is currently the second-ranked freestyle aerobatic pilot in the U.S. and sixth-ranked in the world. A member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team, he represented his country at the world aerobatic championships in 2017 and 2019. He flies a variety of aerobatic aircraft in competition and at select air shows throughout the nation.
Along with his flying activities, Bourke founded RCGroups.com, a website for enthusiasts of radio controlled aircraft, and is owner of Knife Edge Software, makers of flight simulation products including the RealFlight simulator. He also has served as a member of the IAC board of directors.
The International Aerobatic Club is a division of the Experimental Aircraft Association, and also a division of the National Aeronautic Association. It is responsible for the administration, management, and promotion of the sport of aerobatics in the United States under the regulations of the Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Lausanne, Switzerland. FAI is the world governing body for all sport aviation competitions and record attempts. IAC represents the United States at meetings of the FAI Aerobatics Commission, which establishes rules worldwide for aerobatic competitions.