By Matt Neumann
Simply put, Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics is an event where a builder of a model airplane is judged not only on how well they build their plane, but also how well they fly it in a prescribed flight pattern involving aerobatics. The pilot is tethered to the plane during flight by a set of lines. These are usually thin stainless steel cables, although solid wires and Spectra lines are also used. The method for control is a pull-pull system to the plane, meaning the pilot pulls one line or the other to control the flight path up or down. Inside the airplane is a push-pull system, which means there is a solid rod that actually moves the control services. One of the lures of this type of flight is the pilot gets to actually feel the airplane fly.
On Sunday, July 6th, 2025, the Beginner and Intermediate classes will be flown. These are pilots who are generally starting out. The Beginner class pilots fly an easier pattern, while the Intermediate fliers fly the normal AMA pattern. As an incentive, there are usually many donations of kits and other hardware to help these people along. Many competitors are kids. To see a kid win one of these prizes with the grin on his or her face is priceless.
On Monday the 7th, the Old Time Stunt (OTS), Classic, and Nostalgia 30 classes are flown in the morning. These are events where replicas of the planes of yesteryear are flown. In OTS, the plane must have been designed before 1953, Classic features designs before 1970, and Nostalgia 30 has a rolling cut-off date of 30 years ago. This is sort of like a classic car show where people relive times past with plenty of nostalgia to go around.
In the late afternoon of the 7th, the appearance point judging will be held. This is where everyone gathers together for the first time and presents their airplanes to a set of judges who will award appearance points for their model. A pilot can get up to 20 points added to their flight score. With many places being decided by less than one point, appearance points can become quite a factor later on in the competition.
Tuesday and Wednesday are the first days of qualifying for the Advanced and Open classes. Of late, the Open class has been split into four groups, with the Advanced being split into three groups. The object of these two days is for the pilot to place in the top five of their group for Open class and top four of their group for the Advanced class.
On Thursday, July 10th, the top 20 contestants for Open class and the top 16 contestants for Advanced class will fly. The winner of the Advanced class will then be crowned the Advanced Champion for 2025.
On Friday, the top five Open class pilots will compete to determine the Open Champion. This is the biggest of all the days, and one of main reasons for the championship to be held.
I have just alluded to one of the reasons for the Nats. Another reason that is just as big, if not even more, is to have an excuse for everyone from across the country to gather together and actually see and visit with each other. Many of us are scattered across the county. From Maine to California, from Florida to Washington state. We even get people from other countries who attend. We are also from all walks of life, from rich to barely getting by, from engineers to sales clerks. However, we all have one thing in common, and that is our love of model airplanes. We can all put our normal daily lives behind us for this one week and enjoy what we all love together. Many of us consider everyone an extended family. We do keep tabs on everyone throughout the year, but there is no substitute for being in person. The Nats gives us this chance to do this.
As for what will happen during this week, who knows? Whatever can happen usually does. There are always those who are odds-on favorites to get into the top five, if not win it all. However, fate tends to pop up now and then and snatch that away. There are also the “sleeper” fliers that have suddenly gotten better over the last year, when something just clicked and they got hot and make a run for the top five. Weather is always a factor that everyone has to deal with. One thing is for certain, and that is NOTHING is for certain. It is a long contest.
With that, there never is any shortage of fun. Isn't that the best reason for having the Nats?
Stay tuned to these pages to find out what does happen. I can't wait to tell you about it.