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Stories from the Flight Line

NATS News

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

Mike Palko’s P-51.

Mike Palko’s P-51.

August 5, 2024: CL Precision Aerobatics

As the sun rises and illuminates the words on the pages for August 5, I see a very busy schedule today.

The day starts out at 7 a.m. with practice on the L-pad. The L-pad will be open for most of the day for practice. However, on the grass circles, there are several unofficial events starting up. Today, we have Old-Time Stunt (OTS), Classic, and Nostalgia 30 events being run.
Aug 6, 2024
Assistant Event Director Darrell Sprayberry brings out his newest toy!

Assistant Event Director Darrell Sprayberry brings out his newest toy!

August 5, 2024: RC Helicopter

On Monday morning, the first day of most people’s work week, we all began our second day of competition flying in the 2024 RC Helicopter Nats.
Aug 6, 2024
Processing at the 2024 CL Navy Carrier Nats.

Processing at the 2024 CL Navy Carrier Nats.

August 5, 2024: CL Navy Carrier

While the Control Line (CL) Navy Carrier events start flying on Tuesday morning, the processing for those events was held on Monday afternoon.
Aug 6, 2024
Bill Bischoff's lovely Miss Min incurred this fuselage fracture during a pit stop, forcing him to use his backup model. Bill's pit man, Mike Greb, "had a hand in it."

Bill Bischoff's lovely Miss Min incurred this fuselage fracture during a pit stop, forcing him to use his backup model. Bill's pit man, Mike Greb, "had a hand in it."

August 5, 2024: CL Racing

Good morning, Control Line (CL) Racing fans!
Day two of official CL Racing again greeted the racers with perfect weather.
Aug 6, 2024

August 5, 2024: CL Speed

The second day of Control Line (CL) Speed had the threat of rain, but everyone still got their flights in. They even flew through lunchtime, just in case. We flew Formula 40, 21 Sport Speed, 21 Profile Proto, and Fox 35 Speed.
Aug 6, 2024
The 2024 1/2A Combat winners (L-R): Jeff Johnson, first; Event Director Dave Edwards; Ariel Quezada, second; Chuck Rudner, third; and Chris Gay, fourth.

The 2024 1/2A Combat winners (L-R): Jeff Johnson, first; Event Director Dave Edwards; Ariel Quezada, second; Chuck Rudner, third; and Chris Gay, fourth.

August 5, 2024: CL Combat

The normal Control Line (CL) Combat pace returned for 1/2A Combat on Monday, August 5. Electric starters are permitted, and shutoffs are not required—they're the most common cause of flame outs.
Aug 6, 2024
Leonardo Silva (L) versus Ed Brzys. Did Leo's lines pull off Ed's safety thong? This is the oddest photo from Sunday.

Leonardo Silva (L) versus Ed Brzys. Did Leo's lines pull off Ed's safety thong? This is the oddest photo from Sunday.

August 4, 2024: CL Combat

AMA Control Line (CL) Combat fliers like stability. They know that when they come to the Nats, there will be a lot of competitors and the contest will always be well run.
Aug 6, 2024
The Class 1 Mouse Race winners (L-R): Patrick Hempel, the author, Bill Bischoff, Doug Mayer from California, and Mike Hazel.

The Class 1 Mouse Race winners (L-R): Patrick Hempel, the author, Bill Bischoff, Doug Mayer, and Mike Hazel.

August 4, 2024: CL Racing

Day one of official racing was greeted by perfect weather and a perfect flying circle facility. It was a day of victories as well. For many, just completing the long and arduous travel was a victory.
Aug 5, 2024
Hey, the gangs all here!

Hey, the gangs all here!

August 4, 2024: CL Precision Aerobatics

Today, Sunday, August 4, I open the 2024 history book to the first page. As a new dawn breaks and the sun starts to illuminate the words on the page, I find that it is the start of the Beginner and Intermediate events at the 2024 AMA Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics Nats.
Aug 5, 2024

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