UND aerobatics team competes in Seward, Neb., contest The UND Aerospace Aerobatic Team participated in its first competition of 2008 on June 28-29 in Seward, Neb. Five of the UND collegiate competitors performed before a panel of judges and scored exceptionally well. Neil Acomb won the Primary Aerobatic Category and had the highest scoring percentage of all competitors in all categories during the contest. Jordan Weiss placed third in Primary. Brian Prange and Ashley Kennie narrowly missed placing in the Primary Category, but held excellent percentages that will be compared against other collegiate teams at the end of the season. Jeremy Baker won the “Best First Time Sportsman” and also held an excellent scoring percentage. “Our team is very strong, and we hope to continue the success for the remainder of this season,” said Ryan Carlson, coach/advisor of the UND aerobatic’s team. “In addition, several of our competitors this year will be returning members next year.” The next competition is scheduled for late August in Albert Lea, Minn. The UND Aerospace Aerobatic Team has competed within the Collegiate Aerobatic Program of the International Aerobatic Club (IAC), a division of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), over the past six seasons. The individual collegiate competitors must complete the “Introduction to Aerobatics” flight course at the University of North Dakota prior to competing at their first aerobatic contest. The team members practice on both an individual and team basis with a UND flight instructor acting as a safety pilot. Once the team attends three competitions throughout the Midwest during each season, the competitor scores are totaled, average, and compared against other universities throughout the country. During the 2007 season, the UND Aerospace Aerobatic Team placed second in the nation. -- Karen Ryba, director of communications, aerospace, ryba@aero.und.edu, 777-4761