By Matt Neumann
Celebrate, celebrate, it is time to strike up the band and have a celebration!
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Nats, and the 50th anniversary of the special interest group (SIG) Precision Aerobatic Model Pilots Association (or PAMPA for short). These are two big milestones to be achieved.
Over 100 years, the Nats has grown from only simple Free Flight (FF) models to controlled flight that was never even thought of 100 years ago. We still have the simple FF events, but we now have multiple controlled flight events, ranging from Racing events, Aerobatic events, and Scale events to anything in between.
The event that I will be writing about is called Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics, and it will be held from Sunday (July 9) through Friday (July 14) this year. During most of the events we will be using what is the standard Pattern, using airplanes that are tethered with two lines typically made of thin stainless-steel cables. These lines are used to control the airplane by either pulling on one line or the other. It is a pull pull system to the airplane.
In the airplane there are solid rods that make the connections between the control surfaces. This is a push pull system. The pilots control the airplane by holding a handle that has one line attached to the top of the handle and the other to the bottom. By pivoting their hand up and down, they pull either one of the lines making the airplane turn in that direction. The maximum line length allowed is 70 feet between the handle and the center of the airplane. You can go shorter if you wish, but you cannot go longer.
Each pilot will attempt to perform a pattern of 15 different maneuvers. They will be judged by a panel of judges on how well they perform each of the maneuvers. A typical example would be loops. We do three inside loops as one maneuver. We are to do them with the bottom of the loops 5 feet off of the ground with the top at 45 degrees as seen by the lines. All three loops are supposed to be on top of each other and round—not egg-shaped or with flat spots in them. If they aren’t round or have flat spots, then you get a deduction. This was used as an example, as each of the 15 maneuvers has their own criteria.
Sunday will see the beginner and intermediate events being held in the morning. These events are basically for beginners in the event. The beginner pattern is a simpler version of the main pattern, while the intermediate event uses the main pattern. Later on in the afternoon we will have the appearance point judging where each of the planes will get a point value between 0 and 20. This is then added to the flight score later on. The pilots will also vote on the plane that looks the best. The pilot who gets the most votes will get the coveted Concours d’Elegance award.
On Monday, the unofficial events are held. This is Old Time Stunt (OTS), Classic, and Nostalgia 30. These events are for pilots who have built planes that replicate the planes of yesteryear. OTS planes are planes that have plans that were published or kitted before 1952 and use the old-time pattern used before 1952 (the modern pattern has been in use ever since). Classic planes are planes that were either kitted or have plans published before 1970, and Nostalgia 30 planes have been kitted or had plans published more than 30 years ago. This event has a rolling cutoff date since it is 30 years from the time of the contest.
Tuesday the main event begins with the first day of qualifying. We will all be divided into 4 groups. We will all fly two flights that day and the best score counts. On Wednesday we will again fly two flights with the best score counting. The best score from Tuesday will be added to the score on Wednesday. The top 5 from each group will then go on to Thursday's top 20 day. Everyone will again fly two flights with both scores counting. The top 5 will then move on to Friday where there will be three flights on that day with the top two counting. The best score of the two added flights will be declared the winner and NATS champion.
This is what is scheduled to happen. It does not always go that way do to one thing or another usually related to weather. This is basically a week long contest and if there is one thing I know for sure is to expect the unexpected. Anything can happen even to the top contenders. Last year I wrote that we entered the Twilight Zone and we sure did. I was about ready to try and call the Ghostbusters because of all the strange things that were happening.
So I just gave you a preview of what is to come. As to what happens, time will tell. Because I certainly know that anything can and usually does happen. There is never a normal NATS. Be prepared, this is going to be an interesting week for sure. I can't wait to tell you about it.