By Justin Wells
As we ramp up to the 2024 AMA RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern) Nats, it’s a great time to look ahead at the week of events, including some changes that are new to this year’s Nats.
As of writing this, the event is being run by Co-Contest Directors (CD) Bob Kane and Rusty Dose; CD Jerry Budd is down with COVID and is not able to travel. Jerry has done a lot of work ahead of time to make the Nats successful, and I’m sure he will be assisting remotely as needed via video calls. Technology at its finest! Scoring this year is being run by Scott Smith and Peter VanHuesden. Chief judges are Don Ramsey (F3A classes) and Mark Hunt (AMA classes).
Below are a few welcome changes that are historical for this year’s AMA Nats:
- The AMA Masters class is flying the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) P sequence.
- The AMA Advanced class is flying the FAI A sequence.
- The overall weight limit of aircraft has been raised to 5,500 grams (in alignment with the FAI).
- Glow-powered aircraft are now weighed with a full tank of fuel.
- The National Society of Ratio Controlled Aerobatics has opted to adapt the FAI rules for the AMA classes.
The above changes are not small, but they’re very welcomed by many, as the hobby has progressed and changed over the years. The most difficult of these changes is the AMA classes adapting to the FAI rules for judging. Each pilot participating is required to take and pass a judging certification; the tests were combined into one this year, since the rules are the same. Materials are provided to the pilots so they can study and pass the open-book test. Some questions contain point deductions and can be difficult to get a handle on.
Pilot and airplane processing begins on Monday, July 29, in the McCullough Room at the National Model Aviation Museum. Each aircraft is weighed, along with its batteries, and an official Nats sticker is placed on the aircraft and each battery pack. These can be periodically checked during competition.
The current flying schedule for the week is as follows:
Monday, July 29
9 a.m.-3 p.m.—Pilot and airplane processing in the McCullough Room
6 p.m.—Mandatory pilot meeting in the McCullough Room
Tuesday, July 30
8 a.m.-12 p.m.—Site 1 and Site 3: FAI (406), preliminary rounds 1 and 2
8 a.m.-12 p.m.—Site 4: Advanced (403), rounds 1 and 2
1 p.m.-5 p.m.—Site 1 and Site 3: Masters (404), preliminary rounds 1 and 2
1 p.m.-3 p.m.—Site 4: Sportsman (401) and Intermediate (402), rounds 1 and 2
Wednesday, July 31
8 a.m.-12 p.m.—Site 1 and Site 3: FAI (406), preliminary rounds 3 and 4
8 a.m.-12 p.m.—Site 4: Advanced (403), rounds 3 and 4
1 p.m.-5 p.m.—Site 1 and Site 3: Masters (404), preliminary rounds 3 and 4
1 p.m.-3 p.m.—Site 4: Sportsman (401) and Intermediate (402), rounds 3 and 4
Thursday, August 1
8 a.m.-12 p.m.—Site 1 and Site 3: FAI (406), semifinal rounds 1 and 2
8 a.m.-12 p.m.—Site 4: Advanced (403), rounds 5 and 6
1 p.m.-5 p.m.—Site 1 and Site 3: Masters (404), preliminary rounds 5 and 6
1 p.m.-3 p.m.—Site 4: Sportsman (401) and Intermediate (402), rounds 5 and 6
Friday, August 2
7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.—McCullough Room: FAI finalists equipment impound release
8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.—Site 1: FAI (406), finals rounds 1, 2, and 3
8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.—Site 3: Masters (404), finals rounds 1, 2, and 3
8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.—Site 4: Advanced (403), rounds 7 and 8
12 p.m.-3 p.m.—Site 4: Sportsman (401) and Intermediate (402), rounds 7 and 8
The week starts off with some great temperatures and threats of some rain in the forecast. Pilots are here to fly, so the weather will only create a temporary delay in the week. Rest assured that all of the rounds will be flown.
Note from AMA: Do you have photos from the Nats that you’d like to share? If so, email them to Clarissa Poston at clarissap@modelaircraft.org. Please include a brief description in your email, naming any individuals pictured in the photo(s), the name of the event that the photo(s) were taken during, and the name of the individual who took the photo(s). Your submission(s) might be posted on AMA’s Flickr page, which can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/modelaircraft/albums!