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Control Line Combat

MACA
08/04/2024 to 08/09/2024

For detailed information see the IAC Calendar.

Wild and exciting action in Combat makes it a favorite event for spectators. Two highly maneuverable aircraft, each towing a streamer, attempt to cut each other’s streamers or string leaders. Scoring is by cuts and airtime within the five-minute match period. Scoring a cut on the streamer is worth 100 points. Each aircraft also scores one point for each second it is airborne during the match.  In some events, cutting the string leader constitutes a “kill,” ending the match.  1/2A Combat uses tiny .049 engines and 35-foot lines.  There are no restrictions on aircraft design, and kills end the match.  Slow Combat uses large aircraft and .36 engines, restricted to suction fuel feed. Don’t let the name fool you; matches can be exciting, with speeds of up to 100 mph. There is no kill.  AMA Combat, also known as “Fast Combat,” is the top-gun Combat event, and the flying is among the most exciting and demanding in all of model aviation.  Engines of up to .36 size turn more than 20,000 rpm and haul the highly maneuverable aircraft at up to 125 mph. Kills end the match.  FAI Combat is the international class.  Competitors are allowed two .15-size powered aircraft per match.  There is no kill.

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CL Combat

Nats News

July 16, 2020: CL Combat

By Phil Cartier

The 1/2A folks had a good time with 15 entries. Along with the usual old timers, some 5 or 6 relative newcomers showed up. They were all “friends of the family” so to speak, being family or friends of the fliers.

1/2A uses much smaller airplanes, and 0.049 motors—maybe a teaspoon and a half of cylinder volume. The motors are very potent though with modern Schneurle transfer ports and double ball bearings. Most common are the Cyclone and Fora engines and the models are dizzyingly fast due to the shorter, 42-foot lines.

July 15, 2020: CL Combat

By Phil Cartier

Tuesday’s event had a good turnout of 18, including more than the usual suspects. It fit right in with the pleasant weather and not too much wind. The weather did get pretty unsettled by quitting time around 6 p.m.

While most of the planes and engines were F2D equipment, there were some different designs. Phil Cartier flew a Gotcha 550 with a Magnun 36 and a ten-inch propeller. It flew just fine, but a very violent collision to the motor took it out before it could show its stuff.

July 14, 2020: CL Combat

By Phil Cartier

F2D is an unofficial event we’ve flown for quite a while now.  The cost of going to F2D contests and buying or, in rare cases, building a fleet of models with five or six engines costs quite a bit. And then there are the rules, written by committees in Europe.

But on to more fun. F2D Fast uses AMA Fast Combat rules. Often the rule about midair/crashes usually gets skipped due to a shortage of judges. If a plane crashes, it crashes. If the pit crew/pilot can get it back up safely, it’s good to go and collects more airtime.

July 13, 2020: CL Combat

By Phil Cartier

Sunday saw lots more great flying in the F2D Combat Finals. The turnout was low—14 entries. All of the pilots were competent fliers with good equipment and lot of contest experience. It really showed in how smoothly the matches went and the excellent system for scoring and displaying the results.

It took 11 matches on top of the 32 matches on Saturday to get to the new winner.  Bill Maywald won first place with some great flying, not only winning matches but doing so using only three planes. Dave Fischer came in second.

July 12, 2020: CL Combat

By Phil Cartier

Nats F2D Combat took off to a great start Saturday morning, July 11. Unfortunately, only 14 flyers could make it, but the small field made up for it with lots of action. One could say the cream of the crop. Just about every flyer was meticulously prepared and there were few holdups other than pit crews, pilots, and judges playing Ring Around the Rosie.

2020 Outdoor Nats to Proceed as Scheduled

After careful deliberation, the AMA Executive Council has agreed to not cancel the 2020 Outdoor Nats. This decision is aligned with state and federal guidelines for events concerning COVID-19.

The 2020 AMA Nats will take place to the extent that individual Nats organizers plan and conduct their respective events. Additional safety measures will be in place to protect our members, staff, and community. Nats participants and visitors to the International Aeromdeling Center will have limited access to AMA facilities and should anticipate a scaled-back Nats experience.

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