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Stories from the Flight Line

NATS News

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

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July 9, 2023: CL Scale

We were greeted with great flying conditions on Sunday, the last day to fly for Rounds three and four of the AMA events. With overcast skies and light winds, it didn’t get too hot which made getting good flights very possible for those who decided not to fly on Saturday afternoon.

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  • F4B Team results.
    F4B Team results.
  • Profile Scale results.
    Profile Scale results.
  • Team Scale results.
    Team Scale results.
  • Sport Scale results.
    Sport Scale results.
  • 1/2A Scale results.
    1/2A Scale results.
  • The award table.
    The award table.
Jul 10, 2023
p-39 head on

July 8, 2023: CL Scale

Rainstorms put the Control Line (CL) Scale flying to a halt in the morning; however, by noon, the skies had cleared and we were able to get flying again.

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  • – Peter Bauer and Matthew Bauer working on Matthew’s Profile Scale Sikorsky flying boat.
    – Peter Bauer and Matthew Bauer working on Matthew’s Profile Scale Sikorsky flying boat.
  • Keith Trostle’s XF-11 with two .020-size motors.
    Keith Trostle’s XF-11 with two .020-size motors.
  • A close-up view of the XF-11 showing the details.
    A close-up view of the XF-11 showing the details.
Jul 10, 2023
RC CL Scale Grouphoto

July 7, 2023: CL Scale

Static got started early with check-in to get the models weighed, and then the pilots lined up the models to be judged. Instead of being on the flight line near the runway in the RC area, we were across the road in an open area with a large tent and plenty of room to spread out.

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A combined group photo with both CL and RC scale pilots before static judging.
A combined group photo with both CL and RC scale pilots before static judging.

 

In Profile Scale, more flight scores need to be flown before it will be known how that will play out.

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  • – Ron Duly with his YIPPEE P-38 and Pete Mazur with his Bearcat. Both models were flown in Fun Scale.
    – Ron Duly with his YIPPEE P-38 and Pete Mazur with his Bearcat. Both models were flown in Fun Scale.
  • Just when you frame up a picture of Keith Tro’s Mistel, you get photobombed.
    Just when you frame up a picture of Keith Tro’s Mistel, you get photobombed.
  • Lynn Boss with his Royal Senior F4U Corsair, which was flown in Fun Scale. This model was also flown in the 1993 Nats
    Lynn Boss with his Royal Senior F4U Corsair, which was flown in Fun Scale. This model was also flown in the 1993 Nats
  • Fred Cronenwett carrying his B-29 that was flown in Profile Scale.
    Fred Cronenwett carrying his B-29 that was flown in Profile Scale.
Jul 10, 2023
Pilot’s choice for the best-looking airplane in intermediate.

July 9, 2023: CL Precision Aerobatics

Sunday was a very pleasant day weather wise. I arrived at the field from my home in Vincennes, Indiana, around 11:30 and found several of the guys practicing. A few even had jackets. I could tell they were from the south because they were used to extreme heat. I, being a Midwesterner on the other hand, thought this was a nice, cool Midwest morning.
Jul 10, 2023
RC Pylon F1 model

July 9, 2023: RC Pylon

Today was the day that we celebrated our past. In conjunction with the 100-year celebration by the AMA, the Pylon community invited all pilots to bring out some old models to display and fly.

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  • This represents some of the icons in the Pylon community. On the left, Travis Flynn is holding Dave Shadel’s long wing Kaze, which was built and painted by Jim Shinohara. In the middle, Lee VonDerHey is holding Ron Schorr’s long wing Kaze. On the right is Mike Helsel holding his long wing Kaze.
    This represents some of the icons in the Pylon community. On the left, Travis Flynn is holding Dave Shadel’s long wing Kaze, which was built and painted by Jim Shinohara. In the middle, Lee VonDerHey is holding Ron Schorr’s long wing Kaze. On the right is Mike Helsel holding his long wing Kaze.
  • More iconic airplanes and pilots. Brian Richmond is holding his Denight Special, which was built and painted by his brother Bruce Richmond. AJ Seaholm is holding Lyle Larson’s shark.
    More iconic airplanes and pilots. Brian Richmond is holding his Denight Special, which was built and painted by his brother Bruce Richmond. AJ Seaholm is holding Lyle Larson’s shark.
  • Travis Flynn with Dave Shadel’s Kaze.
    Travis Flynn with Dave Shadel’s Kaze.
  • Dan Kane with his Bob Smith Miss DARA II with a side exhaust K&B .40.
    Dan Kane with his Bob Smith Miss DARA II with a side exhaust K&B .40.
Jul 10, 2023
RC Pylon 2023 Group Photo

July 8, 2023: RC Pylon

The racing was very tight today and several Novices moved up to Expert. From the beginning, it was pretty clear that the boys from Canada were going to be tough to beat. After eight rounds of racing, the team of Roy Andrassy and Cory Paine from Canada cruised into first place and fastest time!

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  • L-R: Cory Paine (fifth), Cory’s son Zack, and Roy Andrassy (first and fastest time).
    L-R: Cory Paine (fifth), Cory’s son Zack, and Roy Andrassy (first and fastest time).
  • L-R: Tom Doe, Annabelle Doe (Best Senior), Augie Haupt, and Mitchell Haupt (Best Junior).
    L-R: Tom Doe, Annabelle Doe (Best Senior), Augie Haupt, and Mitchell Haupt (Best Junior).
  • Team Prowler: Clint Seyer, Matt Fornfeld, Tim Porter, who raced in his very first three-pole race this year, and their fearless leader Tim Sparks.
    Team Prowler: Clint Seyer, Matt Fornfeld, Tim Porter, who raced in his very first three-pole race this year, and their fearless leader Tim Sparks.
  • Larry Lisowski (Illinois) and Tony McDonald (California) are proudly displaying their “Dirty Monkey” team shirts.
    Larry Lisowski (Illinois) and Tony McDonald (California) are proudly displaying their “Dirty Monkey” team shirts.
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The racing was very tight today and several Novices moved up to Expert. From the beginning, it was pretty clear that the boys from Canada were going to be tough to beat. After eight rounds of racing, the team of Roy Andrassy and Cory Paine from Canada cruised into first place and fastest time!

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Nats23 Trophy RC Pylon
Some incredible trophies will be presented this year! Well done to all involved.
Jul 10, 2023
Photo by Matt Ruddick CL Precision

2023 CL Precision Aerobatics Introduction

Celebrate, celebrate, it is time to strike up the band and have a celebration!

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Nats, and the 50th anniversary of the special interest group (SIG) Precision Aerobatic Model Pilots Association (or PAMPA for short). These are two big milestones to be achieved.

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Jul 10, 2023
RC Pylon F1 model

2023 RC Pylon Introduction

Welcome back. I think that will be our motto this week. There is a buzz in the air regarding the 100-year celebration of the first Nats, and people have taken the time to make the annual trek to Muncie, Indiana

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Jul 10, 2023
CLNC Takeoff

2023 CL Navy Carrier Introduction

The Control Line (CL) Navy Carrier events for the 100th anniversary of the first National Championships (Nats) kick off this week, with three days of competition in all AMA events and a variety of unofficial events as well. The Navy Carrier events originated with sponsorship by the U.S. Navy seventy years ago.

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Jul 10, 2023

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