John Butler and Tim Johnson, of CA, preparing a little practice session for tomorrow’s ALES contest.
By Mike Bergerson
With the conclusion of the winched and bungee-launched events, the 2024 AMA RC Soaring Nats opens up for Altitude Limited Electric Soaring (ALES).
The maximum start altitude is set at 150 meters. Beginning July 24, ALES will run two days prior to the 5FJ Team Selects. Altitude is controlled by a small device that limits your motor run and start height. You have 30 seconds to reach your altitude before the device turns your motor off. Basically, 150 meters or 30 seconds … whichever comes first.
Lots of pilots showed up early to setup their airplanes and practice. A very unusual airplane flown by Bob Burson, of Minnesota, was developed and built by DLG competitor Nikolai Farenci, of Croatia. I'm told it's a “Unicorn,” a one-of-a-kind airplane. Bob says that it flies very well.
![:] Bobby Burson’s Crowzilla, a one-of-a-kind design by Nikolai Farenci, of Croatia.](/files/ALES1_resized.png)
The California crowd began showing up, with John Butler and Tim Johnson leading the charge. Wayne Norrie was out flying his Radian as well … the perfect ALES machine!
Blue Skies!
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!