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Stories from the Flight Line

NATS News

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

FAI pilots have their airplanes lined up in flight order at Site 1, ready to begin round 4.

FAI pilots have their airplanes lined up in flight order at Site 1, ready to begin round 4.

July 31, 2024: RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern)

By Justin Wells

 

Aug 1, 2024
The Advanced pilots have their airplanes lined up at Site 4, ready for the low ceiling to lift.

The Advanced pilots have their airplanes lined up at Site 4, ready for the low ceiling to lift.

July 30, 2024: RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern)

Day one of flying at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center started off with a low ceiling that delayed the start of the competition until about 9:30 a.m.; everyone waited patiently, as this is a normal occurrence at Pattern contests. The pilots were excited to get started!
Jul 31, 2024
A room full of eager pilots ready for the “official” pilot meeting.

A room full of eager pilots ready for the “official” pilot meeting.

July 29, 2024: RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern)

Monday hosts the official pilot check-in and the processing of all of the aircraft used in the 2024 AMA RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern) Nats. Starting at 9 a.m., pilots have until 3 p.m. to check in and have their aircraft and batteries weighed and stickered.
Jul 30, 2024
CD Norm Poti and the new US F5J team: John Butler, Tom Kiesling, and Steven Wilcox Jr.

CD Norm Poti and the new US F5J team: John Butler, Tom Kiesling, and Steven Wilcox Jr.

2024 RC Soaring F5J Team Selects Final Report

It's a beautiful morning at Site 5 of the AMA International Aeromodeling Center! It's warm, a big change from the cold, damp mornings of the past two days. The wing tape actually sticks! This makes for nice, buoyant morning air.
Jul 29, 2024
The FAC WWII mass launch.

The FAC WWII mass launch.

2024 Outdoor FF Final Report

The 101st AMA Outdoor Free Flight (FF) Nats wrapped up with the final day of official flying on Friday, July 26. The weather remained excellent for flying with mostly sunny skies, high temperatures in the low 80s, and winds ranging from 4-8 mph.

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Jul 29, 2024
Dennis Harvey and Dave Malkin.

Dennis Harvey and Dave Malkin.

July 27, 2024: RC Soaring F5J Team Selects

6:30 a.m.—it’s chilly and damp, not the greatest conditions for setting up your sailplanes (I hate it when the tape won't stick), especially when you haven't had enough coffee, yet the pits begin to fill up with pilots and airplanes getting ready for the 8 a.m. start.
Jul 29, 2024
Nats24_primary

2024 RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern) Introduction

As we ramp up to the 2024 AMA RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern) Nats, it’s a great time to look ahead at the week of events, including some changes that are new to this year’s Nats.
Jul 29, 2024
Quite the gathering of F5J carbon.

Quite the gathering of F5J carbon. 

July 26, 2024: RC Soaring F5J Team Selects

“Working time will begin in five minutes.” That's the automated call at 8 a.m. from the scoring program … and so begins three days of hardcore competition by some of the best F5J pilots in the country. It's amazing how much carbon you can gather in one place!
Jul 29, 2024
A few of the pilots attending the pilot meeting for the F5J Team Selects.

A few of the pilots attending the pilot meeting for the F5J Team Selects.

2024 RC Soaring F5J Team Selects Introduction

It's 6 p.m. on July 25, 2024 … do you know where your F5J pilot is?
They are at Site 5 of the AMA International Aeromodeling Center attending the pilot meeting for US F5J Team Selects, which will determine who represents the US at the F5J World Championships being held in Argentina.
Jul 26, 2024

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