IMAC Summer School - Schools in session!
A brief history lesson about John Schroder's IMAC Sumer School.
Summer school started modestly in 2000 with a single student: David Moser. Shortly thereafter, Stephen Hamilton enrolled in the program. Both have gone on to secure impressive contest results. At the outset, IMAC Summer School was based in Florida and students were all Florida residents. The kids lived with Tina and me at our home in Brooksville and worked summer jobs at my business during the day. Each day we packed up at 3:00 and headed to the flying field for some intense practice sessions. Our primary goal for the program was to prepare for the IMAC NATS. In the spring of 2007 Tina and I relocated to Toone, Tennessee where I opened the Clover Creek Aerodrome; IMAC Summer School had a campus.
By the time we moved to TN my student roster included David Moser, Stephen Hamilton, Josh Jordan, Ben Selock, Kenny Willis and Brian Luckett. Until last year, all our students were Florida residents. With the increased flying opportunities presented by our new field, we have decided to open the school to other pilots; I am happy to announce that Alex Porter – aka 'Little Unlimited' has been with us for two years now and his skills has come a long way - next year, he is sure to be a threat in the Advanced Class! We have also had the pleasure to accomodate Mariano Barrios who had done quite well at this years Nationals.
In the future, we plan to open the program to students from all regions of the country. However, in order to ensure personalized attention and instruction, we plan to limit the number of pilots to seven. Please find below a list of requirements the students must meet in order to be considered:
- Good students at their regular school. (At least a B average, or equivalent GPA.)
- Must be members of both the AMA and IMAC.
- Must be recommended by their IMAC RD for consideration.
- Must provide their own equipment including back ups.
- Must be willing to do simple chores around the farm.
We will provide the students with food and lodging right here on the farm.
There is no tuition, but any donations the parents would like to make for gas or groceries will be accepted.
IMAC Nats Warm-Up Week - Preparing for the US Nat'l Championships
In 2007, for the first time at the farm, most of the "Team Florida" competitors for the IMAC NATS (located in Muncie, Indiana in July) stopped in the week before the four day contest for some fine tuning. We held mock contests - including judging - in the morning then, later in the day, I would work with the individual pilots on area's of concern. At one point, we had 21 people here in campers and staying in the various barns! It was a hoot and we hope to continue this as a tradition. Contact us if you would like to take part in the fun. It seems that more and more people are gathering here for a few days before the week long stay at Muncie, see you soon!!!