Register Now

Stories from the Flight Line

NATS News

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

The Build and Fly event, held for kids, occurred on July 22.

The Build and Fly event, held for kids, occurred on July 22.

July 22, 2024: Outdoor FF

Today was the first official day of flying at the 2024 AMA Outdoor Free Flight (FF) Nats. Some higher-entry events were flown today, including D Gas, AB Classic Gas, F1A, Electric B, 1/2A Nostalgia (NOS) Gas, and Moffett. Today’s weather was mild, not too hot, and there was strong rising air for many parts of the day.
Jul 23, 2024
:] Superb pilot and all-around great guy Tom Scully, from KY, flying for Team 2.

Superb pilot and all-around great guy Tom Scully, from KY, flying for Team 2.

July 22, 2024: RC Soaring F3RES

The bungees were singing when 29 pilots showed up at Site 5 of AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center for two days of F3RES competition at the AMA Soaring Nats.
Jul 23, 2024
Bernard Suhamski’s Bearcat on its final landing approach.

Bernard Suhamski’s Bearcat on its final landing approach.

2024 CL Navy Carrier Introduction

The Control Line (CL) Navy Carrier flying events start on Tuesday, August 6. While I was not involved with model airplanes when the Navy Carrier event came into being, this is what I have been told as to how the event came to be.
Jul 22, 2024
The 2024 F3RES pilots.

The 2024 F3RES pilots.

2024 RC Soaring F3RES Introduction

What has a 2-meter wingspan, is 99% wood, and gets shot into the sky on a big rubber band? If you said a glockenspiel, you might be correct, as I have no idea what the specs are … of course, it's an F3RES sailplane!
Jul 22, 2024
Wayne Norrie, of MN, hooks up his Sig Riser 2M sailplane.

Wayne Norrie, of MN, hooks up his Sig Riser 2M sailplane.

July 20-21, 2024: RC Soaring Quadfecta

There be winches here! The Quadfecta, a competition consisting of four classes of sailplanes, began at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, July 20, and flew through Sunday afternoon, July 21. The weather was perfect!
Jul 22, 2024
Hayden Ashworth launches his championship-winning F1P model.

Hayden Ashworth launches his championship-winning F1P model.

2024 Outdoor FF Introduction

The AMA Outdoor Free Flight (FF) Nats have officially entered their centennial era, as 2024 marks the 101st AMA Nats. The attendance for this year’s Nats is significant, as 121 contestants have preregistered.
Jul 22, 2024
The 2024 IMAC Nats is a wrap! The author and Primo Rivera are pictured jumping with excitement.

The 2024 IMAC Nats is a wrap! The author and Primo Rivera are pictured jumping with excitement.

July 19, 2024: RC Scale Aerobatics (IMAC)

The final day of the AMA RC Scale Aerobatic (International Miniature Aerobatic Club [IMAC]) Nats in Muncie, Indiana, dawned gorgeous, with low winds and plenty of sunshine.
Jul 22, 2024
Charles Thomas, Contest Director Wally Adasczik, and Bob Burson setting up the winch lines Friday afternoon for the weekend’s Quadfecta competition.

2024 RC Soaring Quadfecta Introduction

Charles Thomas, Contest Director Wally Adasczik, and Bob Burson setting up the winch lines Friday afternoon for the weekend’s Quadfecta competition.
Jul 22, 2024
Ed Dumas concentrating on his Explorer as he approaches the conclusion of his two-hour LSF flight.

Ed Dumas concentrating on his Explorer as he approaches the conclusion of his two-hour LSF flight.

July 19, 2024: XC Soaring

By Mike Bergerson

 

The weather gods have granted mercy! What a beautiful day to fly gliders. There were quite a few flights made from the winch, and just as many were electric flights.

Jul 22, 2024

Pages