A mass launch during the first round of FAC Low Wing Military Trainer. Wally Farrell notches the win after three flight heats.
Today was the third official day of flying at the 2024 AMA Outdoor Free Flight (FF) Nats, and numerous popular events were featured, including E-36, Catapult Glider, B Gas, and F1B.
What an exhilarating start to the 2024 AMA F3K Nats! After nearly two years away from F3K contests due to a shoulder injury, it feels fantastic to be back in the game.
Andy Tomasch and his OT Catapult Obarski airplane.
The Bernard Mulvihill Trophy originated in 1923 and is the oldest continuously awarded aviation trophy in the US. Regardless of age, the trophy goes to the high time-scorer in the AMA Outdoor Free Flight (FF) Nats Mulvihill event.
Superb pilot and all-around great guy Tom Scully, from KY, flying for Team 2.
The bungees were singing when 29 pilots showed up at Site 5 of AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center for two days of F3RES competition at the AMA Soaring Nats.
What has a 2-meter wingspan, is 99% wood, and gets shot into the sky on a big rubber band? If you said a glockenspiel, you might be correct, as I have no idea what the specs are … of course, it's an F3RES sailplane!
Wayne Norrie, of MN, hooks up his Sig Riser 2M sailplane.
There be winches here! The Quadfecta, a competition consisting of four classes of sailplanes, began at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, July 20, and flew through Sunday afternoon, July 21. The weather was perfect!
Hayden Ashworth launches his championship-winning F1P model.
The AMA Outdoor Free Flight (FF) Nats have officially entered their centennial era, as 2024 marks the 101st AMA Nats. The attendance for this year’s Nats is significant, as 121 contestants have preregistered.
Mike Ward came with his Catalina XC sailplane from MI!
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.
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!