Coach Tim

Devastated. Heartbroken. These words can’t even begin to scratch the surface of what we are feeling.  NYAA co-founder and Free Flight Hall of Famer, Tim Batiuk, caught his final thermal, July 16, 2025.

From day 1, you were always by our sides, encouraging us as we learned, riding the highs and lows of competition together, guiding us on and off the field. No one else could lift you up, help shake off that self-doubt, and inspire you to fly higher (both figuratively and literally) better than you. Your smile and your laughter every single day on the field always reminded us that the #1 thing about free flight is to have fun. And boy, did we have a lot of fun together. We are forever grateful and blessed to have had you in our lives. We hope we can carry your legacy forward, both in free flight and in life, by living the values you so generously shared with all of us.

Much love and deepest condolences to his family and all who love him.