INTERNATIONAL AEROBATIC CLUB
Chapter 26
We are Chapter 26 of the International Aerobatic Club (IAC), founded in 1974. Chapter 26 was based for many decades out of Delano, California, and held an annual contest there over Labor Day, “Happiness is Delano.” From 2018 – 2020, “Foxy Figures” was held at William J. Fox Field in Lancaster, and from 2021 – 2023 we held “The Redlands Aerobatic Cup” in Redlands, CA.
The chapter holds critiquing weekends at Fox Field (KWJF) in Lancaster. Most members are based in Southern California, including the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Despite aerobatics being a solitary competitive sport where you fly alone in the box, Chapter 26 is all about teamwork. We all work together to be successful at this sport. We coach each other, critique each other, and look out for each other. We want to be regarded as good sportsmen/women who play by the rules and as the pilots to beat at every level of competition.
If you are as passionate about flying as we are, learn more about the sport via this site and consider joining us. We hope to see you in the box someday soon.
Chapter Officers
Ramy Mattar
President, Webmaster
Ramy Mattar is a Los Angeles County Waterworks District civil engineer by day and an IAC Chapter 26 aerobatics addict the rest of the time. He’s a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) who loves introducing pilots to the aerobatics world and there’s nothing better than seeing the smile on someone’s face after they roll an airplane for the very first time.
Ramy decided to jump into aviation the moment he discovered aerobatics and he hasn’t looked back since. In fact, his third flight lesson was an aerobatic flight, which pretty much set the tone for everything that followed. Around Fox Field, he’s best known for flying his Robin R2160 and showing up with a big grin, a positive attitude, and a “let’s go practice” mindset.
He’s currently competing in the Sportsman category and is always excited to learn, improve, and cheer on fellow Chapter 26 pilots—whether it’s your first time in the box or your next contest sequence.
Dave Fedors
Vice-President
David C. Fedors is a test pilot with a career spanning the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and private aerospace industry. A native of Altadena, California, Fedors currently serves as Chief Test Pilot at Stratolaunch, where he leads flight test operations for the world’s largest aircraft, the Scaled Composites Model 351, supporting hypersonic flight test missions.
Prior to Stratolaunch, Fedors was a research test pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, where he flew a wide array of aircraft including the Gulfstream III, DC-8 airborne science laboratory, T-34, C-17, and SOFIA—the modified Boeing 747SP astronomical observatory.
His USAF assignments at Edwards Air Force Base include the 452nd and 418th Flight Test Squadrons, testing the KC-135, KC-10, C-130, and B747. He retired as a colonel from the Air Force Reserve in 2015.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering mechanics from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master’s in electrical engineering from Fresno State and is an associate fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots. He has been competing at the Sportsman level in an Extra 300.
Michael Hartenstine
Treasurer
Mike began competing in Sportsman in 2006, quickly working his way up to Advanced. He qualified for the U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team in 2013 and currently flies a Pitts S1-S. He is also an A&P IA and has lent a hand when
planes have broken down at our contests.
Also, he’s not much for words… just the flying. 🙂
Susan Bell
Secretary, Webmaster
After falling in love with spinning toward the ground during the EMT course at CP Aviation in Santa Paula, Calif., Susan jumped into IAC competition in 2016, flying a Bellanca 8KCAB with a safety pilot. Two years later, she was named the U.S. National Sportsman Aerobatic Champion with an overall score of 84.7% on her first trip to Nationals in her iconic pink Extra 300.
Susan’s career in aerospace includes 12 years at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and flying Traffic Watch in Los Angeles. She is a public speaker on topics including getting into aerobatics and encourages women to learn to fly. She holds commercial ASEL and glider licenses, and is a CFI and A&P.
Susan was Chapter 26’s President from 2019 – 2025 and directed multiple contests for the chapter at Fox Field and Redlands. She currently has stepped back from competition following a knee injury.
Member Awards
As far back as we had records, we created a list of member awards and rankings. Quite impressive!
Join us!
Our online membership form. Support local aerobatics and improve your flying!
Poster Gallery
Chapter 26 member and renowned graphic designer Margo Chase lost her life during a practice flight. We created a gallery of her beautiful aerobatic posters as a memorial of her passion for the sport.