NatsNews

By William Drumm III

RC Combat kicked off once again Sunday, June 20, with Slow Survivable Combat (SSC). SSC is the most popular class that 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. We were slated to have five pilots at the start the day, but, unfortunately, we lost Bob Loescher due to another prop strike on the hand. It’s another reminder to always walk around to the back of the airplane to remove the glow igniter and adjust the needle valve.

By Gary Freeman Jr.

I would first like to start off by wishing all fathers a very happy Father’s Day.

Opening report by Tim Stone

The sun shines once again on Muncie! Last year’s Nats for Control Line Racing was run, but the turnout was dismal. If I believe the forum vibe that I get, there is a greater sense of enthusiasm for this year’s contest than there has been for quite a while! Pre-entries in some events are double from 2020.

By Rich Whitlow

Friday started out blustery, but with no rain. So 8 a.m. came and pilots hit the air … and LOTS OF AIR there was! The wind was brutal, and pilots had to use all of their skills to get through their Unknowns … and LAND! Many pilots had to land across the runway the short way! That was quite a site.

Then the rain came. 

We had a flying break until around noon. Then the rain let off and flying started again.

We were able to get through one Unknown round and on Known round—well accomplished rounds, I might add.

By Rachelle Haughn

Strong wind gusts prevented flying on Friday. After testing the air, the RC Scale Nats were called for the day. Friday evening was the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers banquet and two pilots were inducted into the RC Scale Hall of Fame.

By Fred Cronenwett

As predicted, the storms came in Friday and we were presented with very windy conditions and rain headed our way. It was decided by all of the pilots to call the CL Scale Nats after the two rounds that were flown the day before.

By Fred Cronenwett

We started out with the plan to do the static judging and then fly rounds 1 and 2 on Friday, but the weather forecast indicated that we should consider flying as much as possible on Thursday after all of the static judging was done.

Photos by Joe Vermillion

Thursday, June 17, was the first day of the RC Scale Nats. Static judging and flying took place.

James Gibboney’s TBM Avenger takes to the sky.

By Rich Whitlow

Thursday, June 17, was another beautiful day at the IMAC Nats!

We have had sunshine and light wind for the second day in a row. There seem to be some rain and storms that may come in, but we will hope for the best for the upcoming days.

Event preview by Fred Cronenwett

(All photos taken at previous Nats.)

Welcome to the 2021 CL Scale Nats. I am excited that we can fly together once again. We will see what is new and what is the same. It seems like it has been a really long time since we have all flown together at the Nats because the 2020 CL Scale Nats was canceled due to COVID-19.