The 96th AMA National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats) got underway today, May 24, 2022, with Indoor Free Flight.
Indoor Free Flight
August 2, 2021: Indoor Free Flight FAC Results
By Mike Welshans, FAC vice president
The NFFS/AMA Indoor National Championships was held in Pontiac, Michigan, July 20– 23. The event was well attended with more than 50 contestants entered. The event was run by Bill Shailor from Royal Oak, Michigan, with Mike Welshans handling the FAC entries. FAC results by day and event follow.
Tuesday Only
FAC Simple Scale – 5 entered
1st – Jonathan Nunez - 335
2nd – George Bredehoft - 327
3rd – Glen Campbell - 224
July 28, 2021: Indoor Free Flight
Event recap by Rob Romash
It has been a long haul, well nearly as I have a long drive home.
Thinking back, we used to do this thing nearly twice as long, not including travel. And we also had four times the competitors. Maybe there are fewer pilots, but the ones who are left, or could come, are no less talented.
July 22, 2021: Designer Receives First Production Kit at Indoor Free Flight Nats
By Mike Welshans
During Wednesday's Indoor Nationals in Pontiac, Michigan, there was a surprise presentation to Flying Aces Club Hall of Fame member Pres Bruning.
Pres has been having some health issues this year and could not fly, but during his downtime, Easy Built Models in Prattville, Alabama, had been creating a new kit from one of Pres's original plans.
July 23, 2021: Indoor Free Flight
By Rob Romash
Nats Eve and a new day
As we filter through another full day, we realize it's half over?!?! Nearly.
Last time I showed some “focus” launch poses. What if your model doesn’t just go hypersonic and then either explodes or glides for about a minute? What if you had much more time?
Here are some favorite lounge poses. The most popular is the “laid back.” It's crazy how a firm, flat back feels after two days of being up, standing, and craning your neck up. Kudos to the artificial green stuff guys.
July 22, 2021: Science Olympiad Day at the Indoor Free Flight Nats
By Chuck Andraka
Wednesday, July 21, the National Free Flight Society (NFFS) leveraged its new relationship with Science Olympiad to host 18 students and 10 coaches from 10 middle schools and high schools, mostly from Michigan and Ohio, but also from as far as Austin. Science Olympiad is a scholastic science competition that includes an indoor flying event.
July 22, 2021: Indoor Free Flight
By Rob Romash
The doors open at 7 a.m. each day, and the competition starts at 9 a.m.
The building was a little slower filling Wednesday after folks settled in Tuesday.
It was an early arrival for me, and about a half-dozen others. We were greeting with a dimly lit space where the few models flying would blend into shadows in the ceiling in dawn conditions.
Soon after though, the lights were on and the air buzzed with high-speed launches of various balsa/carbon-fiber gliders.