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Stories from the Flight Line

NATS News

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

August 7, 2024: CL Speed

Day four of Control Line (CL) Speed is over with. We flew only two of the three events. No one had entered C Speed, but we had two entries in D Speed. D speed is flown using a .60-.65-size motor. It’s almost always flown on a monoline and has 70-foot length lines.
Aug 8, 2024
Alexandr Dementiev (near), a Junior from Moldova, flying against Jeff Johnson with the typical elbow-out stance. The pit crew had to repair a severely damaged model, and he narrowly lost the match.

Alexandr Dementiev (near), a Junior from Moldova, flying against Jeff Johnson with the typical elbow-out stance. The pit crew had to repair a severely damaged model, and he narrowly lost the match.

August 7, 2024: CL Combat
Aug 8, 2024

2024 Nats Scores

Aug 7, 2024
The outdoor parking garage. This is where many airplanes are put when waiting for their turn to be put in the pits and be readied for flight.

The outdoor parking garage. This is where many airplanes are put when waiting for their turn to be put in the pits and be readied for flight.

August 6, 2024: CL Precision Aerobatics

As a new day breaks and the rooster crows, the sun starts to illuminate the words on the history page of August 6 at the 2024 AMA Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics Nats.
Aug 7, 2024
We could almost hear the theme song to the TV show Airwolf!

We could almost hear the theme song to the TV show Airwolf!

August 6, 2024: RC Helicopter

Tuesday arrived way too early for many helicopter pilots (including me!). Today, the day before the final day, recorded the largest number of competition flights—50 formal flights!
Aug 7, 2024
The USS Small Fry.

The USS Small Fry.

August 6, 2024: CL Navy Carrier

Tuesday, August 6, was the start of the official flying of the 2024 AMA Control Line (CL) Navy Carrier Nats events. Both Profile (powered by internal combustion engines) and Electric Profile (powered by electric motors) classes were flown.
Aug 7, 2024

August 6, 2024: CL Speed

By John Moll

 

On day three of the Control Line (CL) Speed Nats, we flew A Speed, B Speed, and Sport Jet. A Speed is flown on 65-foot lines using a .15-size motor. There are six laps that are timed for speed. Chris Montagino took first place with a fast speed of 185.61 mph. I told you yesterday that things were going to go faster! Glen VanSant came very close behind in second place with a speed of 183.23 mph. James VanSant took third place with a speed of 174.08 mph.

Aug 7, 2024
Charles Barnes Sr. prayed for quick restarts, but today, the racing gods were not listening.

Charles Barnes Sr. prayed for quick restarts, but today, the racing gods were not listening.

August 6, 2024: CL Racing

By Paul Gibeault

 

Good morning, Control Line (CL) Racing Fans!

 

Aug 7, 2024
Famed engine builder Henry Nelson (L) mixes it up with Brian Stas. Henry's model got slightly clipped in the match, putting him out.

Famed engine builder Henry Nelson (L) mixes it up with Brian Stas. Henry's model got slightly clipped in the match, putting him out.

August 6, 2024: CL Combat

There were 25 entries in the Control Line (CL) Combat Speed Limit event, and it was flown as a double elimination event in the first round, rather than a full double event. Those with a loss in the first round flew another match, and if they won, they moved on.
Aug 7, 2024

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