Control Line Precision Aerobatics
Beautiful, large aircraft perform a prescribed stunt pattern before a panel of judges. Flights are scored by smoothness and accuracy of maneuvers, with a bonus for aircraft appearance. There are no design restrictions, but most models typically use .35-.60-size engines, with wingspans reaching more than 5 feet. Precision Aerobatics is divided into skill classes for beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert fliers. Two related events are Old-Time Stunt, using pre-1953 Stunt pattern and aircraft designs, and Classic Stunt, using aerobatics and aircraft designs that are more than 25 years old.
Nats News
The winners of the100th Nats (L-R), Angstrom Eberenz - Senior, Orestes Hernandez - Open, Jake Moon – Advanced, and Wesley Smith - Junior.
Now that the 100th NATS has wrapped up, it is time to put down some final thoughts. During the days of competition, the weather was pretty good all week… a rarity.
Open winner Orestes Hernandez and his wife.
The day almost started out as a carbon copy of the previous days. However, today we started out with a few spotty clouds and a little wind. There was nothing major with the wind, but the pilots knew where to place their maneuvers. None of this, “Maybe here, or is it there?” type of thing.
Jake Moon holding up the Advanced perpetual trophy with the first-place medal around his neck.
As the contestants woke up from their slumber, they looked out the window and noticed clear skies and cool temperatures. For some, it was even a bit chilly. It still was going to be one of those “Don't forget the sunscreen.” days again.
Paul Walker getting a well-deserved Concourse award for his B-17.
Today, the contestants were again greeted by clear skies, a cool morning, and very little, if any, wind. Again “Remember the sunscreen” was the motto of the day. The next talk of the town was the lack of air movement. Very little to no wind can be very dangerous to the CLPA community.
As the sun comes up, here is the line up for early morning practice.
Contestants were greeted by clear skies, light winds and cool temperatures. Sunscreen was one of the words of the day. In the past few days, you could get away with not much sunscreen. Today was just the opposite. It probably was a good idea to reapply it every couple of hours or so, just to make sure.
Paul Walkers amazing B-17 is the talk of the town. It has four electric motors.
Today we had no official flying. Instead, today was a practice day during the morning and evening while the afternoon had the appearance point scoring as the pilots’ meeting.
The first-place winners in the 2025 Nats are (L to R) Gabriel Alimov (Senior Class), Orestes Hernandez (Open Class), and Wesley Smith (Junior Class).
On Friday morning, the group was greeted with warm temperatures and light winds. So far this week, we have been very lucky in that when we were flying the weather cooperated. Today would be no different.
Mike Palko's Mustang waiting its turn
On Wednesday, the contestants were greeted with cloudy skies, light winds and mid to upper 60s for temperatures. The winds, once the official flights started, stayed in one direction. So in the words of Sergeant Shultz from Hogan's Heroes, the day was Be-u-ti-ful!
Wesley Smith with his Nostalgia 30 model
On Monday, July 7th, there were three events being held: Old Time Stunt (OTS), Classic, and Nostalgia 30.
The top five Intermediate competitors posed for a photo.
Beginner and Intermediate classes of Control Line Precision Aerobatics were flown on Sunday July 6th. There were two entrants in Beginner with seven in Intermediate. These events were flown on the grass circles. Grass is much more forgiving, than asphalt in case of an accident.
