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
Brett Buck during his second flight.
By Matt Neumann
Again, that annoying rooster crowed, waking up the sun. Why does it always have to crow so early? So, now that the sun is starting to wake again, it is starting to illuminate the words on the history page for the August 8 Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics events.
The outdoor parking garage. This is where many airplanes are put when waiting for their turn to be put in the pits and be readied for flight.
As a new day breaks and the rooster crows, the sun starts to illuminate the words on the history page of August 6 at the 2024 AMA Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics Nats.
Mike Palko’s P-51.
As the sun rises and illuminates the words on the pages for August 5, I see a very busy schedule today.
The day starts out at 7 a.m. with practice on the L-pad. The L-pad will be open for most of the day for practice. However, on the grass circles, there are several unofficial events starting up. Today, we have Old-Time Stunt (OTS), Classic, and Nostalgia 30 events being run.
The top five pilots from 2022 (L-R): Paul Walker, Derek Barry, Kenny Stevens, and Todd Lee. Kneeling is Champion Orestes Hernandez.
I have heard that Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics is like a dance between the partners of pilot and airplane. When they are in sync, it can be a thing of beauty to see as an airplane is put through the pattern. I have to believe that that is quite true.
Today is the day that we have been waiting for all week—we got to see who won the 2023 Nationals.
Today was the top 20 day for the Open class and the finals day for the Advanced class. The day started out cool with a light breeze. God's curtains again obscured the big, bright lightbulb in the sky. Every once in a while, it would peek out but otherwise it was hidden. Winds stayed light throughout the morning, making for some great weather to fly in.
Today was the second day of qualifying. The best score today gets added to the best score of yesterday. Since the Open class is divided into four groups, the top five from each group get to move on to Thursday for top 20 day. The Advanced group is divided into three groups, and the top four from each group get to move on to Thursday. Those twelve get to have a flyoff to determine the winner in the Advanced class.
Today was the first day of qualifying. This is the day that we start to find out how everything is stacking up. We flew two flights today and the best score counts toward the best score tomorrow. The two are then added together to determine who moves on to Thursday’s qualifying.
Monday started out cool with calm winds. Today is practice for those not entering the Old Time Stunt (OTS), Classic, or Nostalgia 30 events taking place on the grass circles.
By Matt Neumann
Ladies and gentlemen, we still have not left the Twilight Zone!
