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Stories from the Flight Line

NATS News

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

Two men on a tarmac studying chalk markings.

Glen Van Sant ready to launch his Formula 40 plane while his Son James is all set to fly it for him.

July 9, 2025: Control Line Speed

On day 3 of the Control Line Speed Nats, we flew Formula 40 Speed, 21 Profile Proto Speed, and Fox 35 Stunt Speed. There were a total of four flyers in 21 Proto, three entered Formula 40, and 11 flew Fox 35 Speed.

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  • Glen Van Sant holding Henry Nelson’s 21 Proto so it can be fueled for another try at going faster!
    Glen Van Sant holding Henry Nelson’s 21 Proto so it can be fueled for another try at going faster!
  • Formula 40 Winners James Van Sant (L), Glen Van Sant (C), and Jeff Gitchel (R).
    Formula 40 Winners James Van Sant (L), Glen Van Sant (C), and Jeff Gitchel (R).
  • 21 Profile Proto Speed winners Dave Rigotti (L), Glen Van Sant (C), and Bill Hughes (R).
    21 Profile Proto Speed winners Dave Rigotti (L), Glen Van Sant (C), and Bill Hughes (R).
  • Fox 35 Stunt Speed winners (L to R) Henry Nelson, Dave Rigotti, Bill Hughes, and John Moll.
    Fox 35 Stunt Speed winners (L to R) Henry Nelson, Dave Rigotti, Bill Hughes, and John Moll.
Jul 10, 2025
Two people with helmets outdoors, assembling a model airplane on grassy field.

Team Mexico: Leonardo Silva and Ariel Quezada.

July 9, 2025: Control Line Combat

Today we flew the AMA Fast 2D class. It was another great day of combat! There were several really good matches, and several poor ones. There were pilots from all over the USA and we had zero altercations or complaints.

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Jul 10, 2025
Yellow model plane with checkered black details and a propeller, on a gray surface.

Mike Palko's Mustang waiting its turn

July 9, 2025: Control Line Precision Aerobatics

On Wednesday, the contestants were greeted with cloudy skies, light winds and mid to upper 60s for temperatures. The winds, once the official flights started, stayed in one direction. So in the words of Sergeant Shultz from Hogan's Heroes, the day was Be-u-ti-ful!

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  • Doing some preflight prep.
    Doing some preflight prep.
Jul 10, 2025
NATS 2025 logo for National Aeromodeling Championships.

Nats Newbs: F3C Helicopter

In this episode of Nats Newbs, host Terry Dunn dives into the world of helicopter competition at the AMA NATS — experiencing it all for the first time. He’s joined by veteran pilot Mike Goza, who walks him through the details of F3C precision aerobatics and his high-performance SAB Genesis helicopter.

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00:00:00 - 00:00:54 Introduction and helicopter overview
Terry Dunn kicks off the first Nats Newbs episode from the helicopter flight line, admitting he’s brand new to the NATS — and to RC helicopters. He chats with seasoned pilot Mike Goza for a crash course on what’s happening.

Jul 10, 2025
Group of people standing on grass with model helicopters under a blue sky.

All of the Nats RC Helicopter competitors.

July 8, 2025: RC Helicopter

The final day of flying began again at 8:00am. Unfortunately, the fog was way too dense to begin flying on time, but it did not take long to burn off. I was elected to test the ceiling height with one of my models and we got started about 30 minutes later.

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  • Nats Team Scale EC-130 turbine model flown by Nick Maxwell and owned by Darrell Sprayberry.
    Nats Team Scale EC-130 turbine model flown by Nick Maxwell and owned by Darrell Sprayberry.
  • Chris Goodin hard at work.
    Chris Goodin hard at work.
  • Gordie Meade’s beautiful sport scale model and US Nats champion for 2025.
    Gordie Meade’s beautiful sport scale model and US Nats champion for 2025.
  • Expert class national champion, Brian Byrdsong, walks out for the final round.
    Expert class national champion, Brian Byrdsong, walks out for the final round.
Jul 9, 2025
World War II-era fighter plane flying in clear sky.

Lynn Boss flying his Top Flite Gold Edition P-47 Thunderbolt that uses a modern 2.4 GHz radio for throttle, flaps, retracts and bomb drop. OS-91 four stroke for power.

July 8, 2025: Control Line Scale

There are multiple Control Line (CL) events at the Nationals. They all share a bellcrank to control the elevator and fly in a circular pattern. But each CL event is very different in its purpose. The goal in a CL Scale event is to build a smaller version of a full-size aircraft in appearance and flight qualities.

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  • The line of models waiting to be static judged in 2023.
    The line of models waiting to be static judged in 2023.
  • Mike McHenry’s L-4 that he took to the 2024 F4B world Championships.
    Mike McHenry’s L-4 that he took to the 2024 F4B world Championships.
  • Pete Bauer’s Britten Norman Islander that he flew to a 1st place finish in the 2024 F4B World Championships.
    Pete Bauer’s Britten Norman Islander that he flew to a 1st place finish in the 2024 F4B World Championships.
  • Boeing Stearman built by Orin Humphries.]
    Boeing Stearman built by Orin Humphries.]
  • 1/2A Scale models built by grandpa Dave Betz and grandson Christopher Degroff, who have competed in the event for several years now.
    1/2A Scale models built by grandpa Dave Betz and grandson Christopher Degroff, who have competed in the event for several years now.
  • Extra 300 Team Scale model built by Allen Goff and flown by Mike McHenry.
    Extra 300 Team Scale model built by Allen Goff and flown by Mike McHenry.
  • Kieth Trostle getting ready to fly his Fun Scale Fw-190 in preparation for the 2025 Nats at Area 34.
    Kieth Trostle getting ready to fly his Fun Scale Fw-190 in preparation for the 2025 Nats at Area 34.
Jul 9, 2025
Man holding a yellow model airplane on a sunny day at an airfield.

Bill Hughes holding Dave Rigotti’s 21 Sport Speed plane in the takeoff dolly. The dolly drops away when the plane gets enough speed to fly.

July 8, 2025: Control Line Speed

We had a total of 17 planes entered in Perky Speed alone. So, we knew we were going to be having a lot of flights today. There were also six entries in FAI/F2A Speed and four in 21 Sport Speed.

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  • Jeff Gitchel preparing his F2A/FAI plane for a flight. He achieved a personal best flight speed of 266.8 kph (165.85 mph). Way to go Jeff! Keep up the great effort.
    Jeff Gitchel preparing his F2A/FAI plane for a flight. He achieved a personal best flight speed of 266.8 kph (165.85 mph). Way to go Jeff! Keep up the great effort.
  • Bill Hughes fueling his 21 Sport Speed plane. Dave Rigotti looks on ready to help with the starting duties.
    Bill Hughes fueling his 21 Sport Speed plane. Dave Rigotti looks on ready to help with the starting duties.
  • Perky Speed winners Bill Hughes (L), Henry Nelson (C), Glen Van Sant (R), and Patrick Hemple (kneeling)
    Perky Speed winners Bill Hughes (L), Henry Nelson (C), Glen Van Sant (R), and Patrick Hemple (kneeling)
  • 21 Sport Speed winners Glen Van Sant (L), Bill Hughes (C), and Carl Dodge ( R ).
    21 Sport Speed winners Glen Van Sant (L), Bill Hughes (C), and Carl Dodge ( R ).
  • FAI/F2A speed winners James Van Sant (L), Bill Hughes (C), Glen Van Sant (R).
    FAI/F2A speed winners James Van Sant (L), Bill Hughes (C), Glen Van Sant (R).
Jul 9, 2025
Remote-controlled plane flies low over a grassy field with power lines in the background.

 David Betz judging Everet Shoemaker's low speed flight.

July 8, 2025: Control Line Navy Carrier

Both Profile Carrier and Electric Profile Carrier were flown on Tuesday. The Profile Carrier events are divided into two categories; Sportsman Carrier and Open Carrier. Sportsman Carrier is intended for those who are just getting started in the carrier events, while open carrier if for those who have been flying Carrier for a while.
Jul 9, 2025
Two men shaking hands at a model airplane event with spectators nearby.

July 8, 2025: Control Line Combat

We had outstanding weather for combat in Muncie. There were lots of great matches today. Dave Edwards, Arlene Mears, Matt Brown, Jerry Sabin, Arnie Delgado, Fred Quezada, and Chris Gay all did an excellent job of officiating our combat events.
Jul 9, 2025

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