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Stories from the Flight Line

NATS News

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

Mark Jorgensen expressing his feelings about yesterday’s Unknown.

Mark Jorgensen expressing his feelings about yesterday’s Unknown.

July 18, 2024: RC Scale Aerobatics (IMAC)

Day four of the AMA RC Scale Aerobatics (International Miniature Aerobatic Club [IMAC]) Nats greeted us with cooler temperatures in the mid-50s and steady wind gusts of 5-10 mph. The weather held steady, allowing for a full day of flying, and tomorrow's forecast looks promising as well.
Jul 19, 2024
Mike Ward came with his Catalina XC sailplane from MI!

Mike Ward came with his Catalina XC sailplane from MI!

July 18, 2024: XC Soaring

We now have day two of the 2024 AMA Cross Country (XC) Soaring Nats firmly in the books. There were Explorers, Maxas, a couple of purpose-built XC Catalinas, and even an old House of Balsa “2T” Crunchie. Rick Bothell, of “Hands Free Retriever” fame, was out flying his 2T, AVA, and others as the day progressed.
Jul 19, 2024
We waited too long for the ceiling to clear…

We waited too long for the ceiling to clear…

July 17, 2024: RC Scale Aerobatics (IMAC)

Day two of the AMA RC Scale Aerobatics (International Miniature Aerobatic Club [IMAC]) Nats started with a low ceiling, delaying our flights until 1:30 p.m. While waiting for the skies to clear, pilots swapped stories and jokes, including a baffling tale about getting a negative score on a maneuver—say what?!
Jul 18, 2024
John Marien tossing his Catalina XC sailplane.

John Marien tossing his Catalina XC sailplane.

July 17, 2024: XC Soaring

Everybody is on their weather app the day before Cross Country (XC) Soaring is scheduled to start. “It’s gonna be great” … “Nah, the weather’s gonna be lousy” … well, it’s the weather—you take what you can get! That’s what we did, and we made the best of it with tons of fun flying and swapping stories!
Jul 18, 2024
David Garceau at the 2024 IMAC Nats.

David Garceau at the 2024 IMAC Nats.

July 16, 2024: RC Scale Aerobatics (IMAC)

Day two of the RC Scale Aerobatics (International Miniature Aerobatic Club [IMAC]) Nats in Muncie, Indiana, brought high drama and high winds! With 29 pilots vying for top spots, last night’s stormy weather had everyone holding on tight, with a few downed porta potties adding to the excitement.
Jul 17, 2024
Jerry Nugent’s Pitts S2A.

Jerry Nugent’s Pitts S2A.

2024 RC Scale Final Report

The 2024 AMA RC Scale Nats is now in the books. The conditions were as good as could be hoped for. The winds were light every day, and any rain came when the contest was done for the day.
Jul 17, 2024
Nats 2024 Logo

2024 RC Pylon Final Report

The end of the 2024 AMA RC Pylon Nats has arrived. We ended up with days of great weather, some with wind and rain. The workers performed nearly perfectly all week. We flew 63 heats of AMA 424, 70 heats of EF-1, 80 heats of AMA 426, and 144 heats of AMA 422 for a total of 357 heats of racing.
Jul 17, 2024
Welcome to the 2024 AMA Nats!

Welcome to the 2024 AMA Nats!

2024 XC Soaring Introduction

Welcome to the AMA League of Silent Flight (LSF) Nats! I arrived a few days early to pitch my tent, get acclimated, and fly my sailplanes in the notorious Muncie skies!
Jul 16, 2024
The IMAC pilots’ meeting was held on July 15.

The IMAC pilots’ meeting was held on July 15.

2024 RC Scale Aerobatics (IMAC) Introduction

The International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) Nats at the Academy of Model Aeronautics in Muncie, Indiana, is a spectacle of precision and skill.
Jul 16, 2024

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