NatsNews

F3RES at the 2024 AMA RC Soaring Nats has concluded. The five-man teams have dispersed, and their exploits have all been recorded, certified, and placed into the history books for all to see many, many generations from now.

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.

Today was the first official day of flying at the 2024 AMA Outdoor Free Flight (FF) Nats. Some higher-entry events were flown today, including D Gas, AB Classic Gas, F1A, Electric B, 1/2A Nostalgia (NOS) Gas, and Moffett. Today’s weather was mild, not too hot, and there was strong rising air for many parts of the day.

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.

The Control Line (CL) Navy Carrier flying events start on Tuesday, August 6. While I was not involved with model airplanes when the Navy Carrier event came into being, this is what I have been told as to how the event came to be.

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!

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!

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.

The final day of the AMA RC Scale Aerobatic (International Miniature Aerobatic Club [IMAC]) Nats in Muncie, Indiana, dawned gorgeous, with low winds and plenty of sunshine.

Charles Thomas, Contest Director Wally Adasczik, and Bob Burson setting up the winch lines Friday afternoon for the weekend’s Quadfecta competition.