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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Photos by Rob Romash.
Josh Finn's AMA Cabin.
Cabin climbing out.
It is with great regret, that AMA and National Free Flight Society (NFFS) today announce that the current COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of the Indoor Nats scheduled for May 27-31, 2020 in Eagar, Arizona. We do not anticipate that there will be a rescheduling of this event in 2020. Anyone that had already registered will be refunded 100% by AMA automatically.
Obviously, the health and safety of contestants is our primary concern and we will absolutely abide by all federal, state and local guidelines.
The 2019 Indoor Free Flight Nats, hosted at the Round Valley Dome in Springerville, Arizona, wrapped up June 2. Check out the event from day one all the way to the final results with our NatsNews 2019 Indoor Free Flight Edition.
By Rob Romash (rob@eclipsetoys.com)
Sunday is the last day of the meet. The morning events were both well attended and hard fought. One event is P-18. With more than 15 people flying Open, and at least six in Junior, the air was filled with colorful models. Most of the junior P-18s were built on site during several educational build sessions John McGrath oversaw.
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