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Stories from the Flight Line

NATS News

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

Man launching model glider in grassy field under clear blue sky.

Ross Jahnke

July 23, 2025: Outdoor Free Flight

South winds came breezing through Muncie today, marking the halfway point of the Outdoor Free Flight Nats. From as early as ten o'clock in the morning, the sun beamed down, brewing what would later be some of the strongest thermals we’ve seen this week.
Jul 24, 2025
Group of people posing with colorful model gliders on a grassy field.

The F3L pilots at the 2025 Soaring Nationals.

July 23, 2025: F3L Soaring

It is just a beautiful day to fly 2-meter (2M) wooden sailplanes! The sun is out, there’s a light breeze of about 6 mph, and you have 30 pilots divided into seven teams shooting little wooden RES sailplanes into the sky on FAI regulation highstarts.

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  • Todd Anderson and his much-campaigned Oly650.
    Todd Anderson and his much-campaigned Oly650.
  • Broeski and Scully working on spoiler compensation.
    Broeski and Scully working on spoiler compensation.
  • (L-R) Norm, Wally, Garry, Ed, and Charles.
    (L-R) Norm, Wally, Garry, Ed, and Charles.
  • This is the B-Team (L-R): Tom Broeski, Tom Scully, Todd Anderson, Tom David (out back) and Mike Bergerson.
    This is the B-Team (L-R): Tom Broeski, Tom Scully, Todd Anderson, Tom David (out back) and Mike Bergerson.
  • Tom Scully watching a teammate launch.
    Tom Scully watching a teammate launch.
Jul 24, 2025
Two men smiling, wearing hats, stand outdoors holding model planes.

Neal Menanno (L) and Rocco Ferrario with Vintage FAI Power models.

July 22, 2025: Outdoor Free Flight

Very light breezes out of the east greeted competitors on day two of the 2025 AMA Outdoor Free Flight Nats. Easterly drift meant we could keep the same flight as Monday…yay! Every little bit of energy saved on moving flight lines can be used on actual flying.
Jul 23, 2025
Laptop screen displaying a document, set against a dimly lit, post-sunset sky.

Sunset over AMA headquarters.

July 22, 2025: F5J Soaring

I am sitting and writing this synopsis, enjoying a beautiful sunset from Site 5 overlooking the AMA headquarters building at the conclusion of day 2 of the 2025 AMA/LSF F5J Nationals.

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Jul 23, 2025
Man assembling red and white model plane on grassy field at sunrise.

Ronnie Thompson with 1970s-era Zingo powered by a screaming Cox Conquest .15.

July 21, 2025: Outdoor Free Flight

Day one of the 2025 FF Nats kicked off at the International Aeromodeling Center on Monday, July 21 with several premier events, and some after-hours unofficial flying.

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  • Roger Erridge launches his Midi Pearl with Rossi .15.
    Roger Erridge launches his Midi Pearl with Rossi .15.
  • Jim Parker, hot-climbing AB Classic Gas.
    Jim Parker, hot-climbing AB Classic Gas.
  • Youth Catapult gang and their cash prizes.
    Youth Catapult gang and their cash prizes.
  • AB Classic winners on Monday (L-R) Gerald Brown 3rd, Ronnie Thompson 1st, Dan Berry 2nd.
    AB Classic winners on Monday (L-R) Gerald Brown 3rd, Ronnie Thompson 1st, Dan Berry 2nd.
  • Old Time Catapult Glider winners (L-R) Kyle Gerspacher 2nd, Don DeLoach 1st, Jan Langelius 3rd.
    Old Time Catapult Glider winners (L-R) Kyle Gerspacher 2nd, Don DeLoach 1st, Jan Langelius 3rd.
  • D Gas winners (L-R): Ronnie Thompson 2nd, Gerald Brown 1st, Jim Bockinfuso 3rd.
    D Gas winners (L-R): Ronnie Thompson 2nd, Gerald Brown 1st, Jim Bockinfuso 3rd.
  • Payload winners (L-R): Mike Fedor 2nd, Paul Finn 3rd, Denny Dock 1st.
    Payload winners (L-R): Mike Fedor 2nd, Paul Finn 3rd, Denny Dock 1st.
Jul 22, 2025
Man holding large model glider on grassy field under blue sky.

Anatol Polillo.

July 21, 2025: F5J Soaring

It was a calm and quiet morning. The birds were chirping and leaves rustled outside of Casa Muncie. I lay in bed (cot) for a few minutes before I realized it wasn’t raining! That means the F5J soaring competition will start on time and everyone will be joyous and happy! There might even be singing… probably not.

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  • Jerry, Scott, Norm, and Dave
    Jerry, Scott, Norm, and Dave
  • Joe and Lenny
    Joe and Lenny
  • Thanks to Ed Dumas for all you do to make these events so much fun.
    Thanks to Ed Dumas for all you do to make these events so much fun.
  • Meet the Millers.
    Meet the Millers.
  • Patagonia’s own Philip Brister
    Patagonia’s own Philip Brister
  • Steve, Todd, and a 2PK
    Steve, Todd, and a 2PK
  • The Bradley boys: John and David. John is your 2025 Junior World Champion in F5J.
    The Bradley boys: John and David. John is your 2025 Junior World Champion in F5J.
  • Tom David and his Vinco TR
    Tom David and his Vinco TR
Jul 22, 2025
Group flying model airplanes in a field.

A Flying Aces Club mass scale launch.

2025 Outdoor Free Flight Nats: Introduction

The Outdoor Free Flight Nationals are taking Muncie, Indiana by storm this week, July 21-25. Flyable weather is expected this week; rain showers are anticipated on Monday and Friday, while warm, cloudy skies will mark the remainder of the week.
Jul 21, 2025
Two men stand near model gliders on a grassy field under a cloudy sky.

Pilots are anxiously awaiting a flight during the ALES Nats.

July 19 and 20, 2025: Altitude Limited Electric Soaring

Cloudy and overcast skies with threatening thunderstorms later in the day didn't deter a single pilot from cruising the skies over Muncie…searching, hoping to embrace and become one with that ever elusive rising air. Spotty lift for the first few rounds opened up into nice conditions until…
Jul 21, 2025
Sign honoring donor Byron Blakeslee at an aeromodeling center, grass in the background.

2025 Altitude Limited Electric Soaring: Introduction

Saturday morning (7/19/25) begins the first day of the two-day Altitude Limited Electric Soaring (ALES) contest at the AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana. CD Norman Poti will manage the festivities.
Jul 21, 2025

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