NatsNews

By Ryan Woebkenberg

Tuesday was day one for F3K (Hand Launch Soaring). Nineteen pilots were present and flying was conducing using three flight groups.

F3K is the FAI Soaring class for RC hand-launch gliders. The models have a maximum wingspan of 1.5 meters and are typically made mostly from carbon fiber. The gliders are thrown hand, typically by being spun around from a wingtip and release.

By Ryan Woebkenberg

F5J Soaring began on Sunday with the completion of six rounds. Monday we few three more preliminary rounds. Out of nine total flights, each pilot was allowed to drop their worst score.

There was supposed to be a flyoff comprised of the top nine pilots, but the rain showed up about 1 p.m. My daughter and I left for the day, I and I am not sure if the flyoff was able to be completed …

Today is the start of F3K and ALES, which will both run through Wednesday.

By William Drumm III

Well the first two days of RC Combat flew by. We were able to get all the classes finished early leaving only a demonstration event of E-1000. E-1000 is a class still being tested out by the Radio Control Combat Association (RCCA). The current rules we are basing this event off are working well, and a proposal has been submitted to get it into the AMA Rulebook. E-1000 is an all electric class with a maximum battery size of a 3-cell 1000 mAh battery. The entire design is left open as the battery size limits the performance of the plane.

By William Drumm III

We started out the second day with GNAT Combat. GNAT airplanes are easy to build and are quite rugged because they are built out of coroplast and are all of the same design. They use a .15 engine that is legal for SSC and use the same 8 x 3 propeller without an rpm limit. Electrics are also able to compete and be competitive.

Unfortunately, there were only three pilots left to compete. Bob Loescher was unable to compete with his bandaged right hand from the incident Friday.

By Ryan Woebkenberg

F3Res was a two-day event running Friday and Saturday. The first-place team was John Armstrong and Randy West. In second place is father/son Steven Willcox Jr. and Steven Willcox Sr.

See all 2020 RC Soaring Nats coverage HERE.

By William Drumm III

RC Combat started out with Slow Survivable Combat (SSC). SSC is the most popular class RC Combat has to offer. Only having a .15 engine and an rpm limit reduces the speed and the severity of the crashes that are bound to happen. With the current COVID-19 situation, only four pilots made the trek to Muncie, Indiana, to compete this year.

By Ryan Woebkenberg

Friday is the F3Res portion of the 2020 RC Soaring Nats. Only 8 pilots were present, but we think COVID-19 hurt turnout. F3Res is an event for wood two-meter wingspan rudder/elevator/spoiler (RES) control. Launches are made via identical, specific high starts. Tasks are 6 minutes with a generous landing tape.

See all 2020 RC Soaring Nats coverage HERE.

By Matt Neumann

Saturday is top five day. The day we’ve waited for all week because today we crown the 2020 National Champion. Not only in Open class, but in Junior and Senior as well.

The morning started with sun and warmer temperature than we’ve experience all week. The sunny skies would give way to partly cloudy as the morning went on. We had a light breeze to start out with, but it got increasingly stronger as the day progressed. Overall, it was not a bad start for Stunt, but got a little bit more interesting as the morning moved on.

By Matt Neumann

While Thursday we had cool temps, strong winds and rain, Friday started out with cool temps, no rain, lots of fog, and hardly any wind.

The fog was so dense, I would guess we had about ¼ mile visibility when we arrived at the field.  We had a hint of a breeze that would stay with us throughout the day. The temperatures would increase a lot throughout the morning along with the flying.

By Warren Gregory

Winners and Results from C Speed, D Speed, and Jet Speed.

Patrick Hempel placed second in C Speed with 167.63mph