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Stories from the Flight Line

NATS News

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

Man with model airplane, standing beside large trophy on airfield.

Orestes Hernandez is the 2024 National Champion.

CL Precision Aerobatics Final Report

The rooster crows, and the sun rises one last time for the 2024 AMA Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics Nats. The light brightens, and the words on the last page of the Nats’ history book come into view.
Aug 12, 2024
Man sitting and another standing on an asphalt road near a cornfield.

Xyndi Eberenz during an official flight.

August 9, 2024: CL Precision Aerobatics

That rooster is at it again. It woke up the sun bright and early, so that the sun can illuminate the words on the last page of the 2024 AMA Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics Nats’ history book.
Aug 12, 2024
Man standing on tarmac with trees and fields in the background.

Brett Buck during his second flight.

August 8, 2024: CL Precision Aerobatics

Again, that annoying rooster crowed, waking up the sun. Why does it always have to crow so early? So, now that the sun is starting to wake again, it is starting to illuminate the words on the history page for the August 8 Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics events.
Aug 9, 2024
Paul Smith releases Bob Hawk’s Nostalgia Profile model.

Paul Smith releases Bob Hawk’s Nostalgia Profile model.

August 8, 2024: CL Navy Carrier

By Melvin Schuette

 

Thursday was the third and final day for the Control Line (CL) Navy Carrier events at the 2024 AMA Nats. Today was a little disappointing. Even though we had people who had entered the unofficial events, a number of them, for one reason or another, chose not to compete. In a couple of cases, the entrant only managed an attempt and did not receive a score, so they were not eligible for a trophy.

Aug 9, 2024
New US Team Pilot Nob Muraki having a go at the ARCCHS precision competition fun event.

New US Team Pilot Nob Muraki having a go at the ARCCHS precision competition fun event.

2024 RC Helicopter Final Report

By Tim DiPeri

 

The 2024 AMA RC Helicopter Nats and US F3C & F3N World Team Selections have concluded. In addition, Sportsman, Expert, and three different categories of Scale have also concluded. With a single flightline and about 150 “competition” flights in front of judges, all involved needed to be on top of it all.

 

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Aug 9, 2024
There were some long waiting periods in Fast Combat. The pranksters thought it'd be fun to simulate bribing the judges for a few extra air points. Ed Brzys just wants to get a test run on his engine, and Brian Stas offers $20 to judge Chris Gay. This is not real, it’s just for fun—don't call the authorities.

There were some long waiting periods in Fast Combat. The pranksters thought it'd be fun to simulate bribing the judges for a few extra air points. Ed Brzys just wants to get a test run on his engine, and Brian Stas offers $20 to judge Chris Gay. This is not real, it’s just for fun—don't call the authorities.

2024 CL Combat Final Report
Aug 9, 2024
The assembly of judges during the warm-up flight.

The assembly of judges during the warm-up flight.

August 7, 2024: CL Precision Aerobatics

By Matt Neumann

 

As the rooster crows, the sun sort of starts to shine, illuminating the words for the page of August 7.

 

Aug 8, 2024
:] Paul Smith’s Profile airplane, which was used in Class II Carrier.

Paul Smith’s Profile airplane, which was used in Class II Carrier.

August 7, 2024: CL Navy Carrier

Wednesday, August 7, was Scale Carrier day. There were four classes of Control Line (CL) Navy Carrier flown.
Aug 8, 2024
Dan Lucente competes in Sportsman. This photo shows the judge’s perspective.

Dan Lucente competes in Sportsman. This photo shows the judge’s perspective.

August 7, 2024: RC Helicopter

By Tim DiPeri

 

Wednesday, day three of competition, began cold and windy with light rain. There was definitely a good deal of flying to do before the end of the day, and we got a little bit of a late start. The rain cleared about an hour after the planned start time. As the skies began to clear, the wind really kicked up!

Aug 8, 2024

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