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Stories from the Flight Line

NATS News

Coverage, results, and stories from the National Aeromodeling Championships.

Model airplanes lined up on a runway, with one prominently orange and blue.

The lineup of airplanes on the left flightline getting ready for practice.

2025 RC Scale Aerobatics (IMAC) Nats - Introduction

The 2025 International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) Nationals are officially underway at the Academy of Model Aeronautics Headquarters in Muncie, Indiana. From July 29 to August 1, Site 3 will serve as the center of precision aerobatics as 49 skilled pilots from across the United States (and even across the globe) gather to compete in IMAC’s premier national event.
Jul 29, 2025
Group of people in a field, hands joined in the center.

End-of-Nats Huddle.

Epilogue: 2025 Outdoor Free Flight

The 2025 Outdoor Free Flight Nationals can only be described as a true success. From start to finish, the event ran with impressive efficiency. Every contest was organized, on schedule, and executed without a hitch.
Jul 29, 2025
Two men holding colorful model gliders on a grassy field.

Dueling sailplanes.

July 27, 2025: Soaring Quadfecta

What could we expect on day three of the Quadfecta, after being shut down by thunderstorms every afternoon? So far, we had four rounds of Unlimited in the books and three rounds complete in each of the other three classes; RES, 2M, and NOS
Jul 29, 2025
Man in a field holding a large model glider, remote control in hand.

Gordon Buckland and his Grand Esprit in Nostalgia.

July 26, 2025: Soaring Quadfecta

Perhaps the threat of thunderstorms this morning thinned the herd a bit, but they missed out on two completed rounds in each of the Quadfecta classes. There were some great flights made in epic fashion.
Jul 28, 2025
Four women smiling outdoors, wearing casual summer clothing.

National Free Flight Society volunteers.

July 25, 2025: Outdoor Free Flight

The final day of the Nats was a whirlwind. The morning greeted us with no breeze, only humid warmth. Contestants were easing into flights, hesitant, wondering if the air was full of thermals…or downers. The sky became a dark cloud in the afternoon, leading up to what was one of the worst rain storms the field in Muncie had seen.
Jul 28, 2025
Man holding a large model airplane in a grassy field.

Josh Glaab, ready to fly his Organic 2M.

July 25, 2025: Soaring Quadfecta

The threat of rain and thunderstorms didn't deter any of the pilots registered for the Quadfecta. The winches were strung and the pilots meeting commenced at 8:30.
Jul 28, 2025
Man holding large trophy and model plane on grassy field.

Kyle Gerspacher is the 2025 HLG champion.

July 24, 2025: Outdoor Free Flight

Muncie experienced a cool south-west breeze today, as we passed the halfway mark of the Outdoor Free Flight NATS. The first event of the day began at the crack of dawn, before the official contest.
Jul 25, 2025
Man kneeling on grass with a model glider and holding a plaque.

 Gordon Buckland with his winning Encanto.

July 24, 2025: F3L Soaring

How much fun is F3L? The pilots couldn’t say how much they loved the past two days enough. My buddy from Massachusetts thanked me for talking him into flying the contest. Newbies at the contest were just beaming, and the pros say this is their favorite contest.
Jul 25, 2025
Group of people holding model aircraft on a grassy field.

The F3K Group photo. (John Butler photo)

July 19-20, 2025: F3K Soaring

The 2025 AMA F3K Nats was finally on a weekend, after being held during the week for many years. The lineup this year reminded people of the Team Selects in Florida a few months ago.
Jul 24, 2025

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