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Radio Control Aerobatics

National Society of Radio Controlled Aerobatics
07/29/2024 to 08/02/2024
Flying Site: 
1, 3, and 4

For detailed information see the IAC Calendar.

RC Aerobatics aircraft are judged according to the degree of precision with which they are able to execute a schedule of maneuvers.  These maneuvers require a high degree of piloting skill and a specialized aircraft with a great deal of power.  Maneuvers must be smooth and graceful.  Each is assigned a degree of difficulty, which means some maneuvers carry more point value than others. Pilots compete in classes according to their skill levels.

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Nats News

July 21, 2021: RC Aerobatics

By Jim Quinn

The first day of the RC Aerobatic Nats is not a flying day. Day one is for registration, weighing all of the airplanes, and certifying the 2-meter maximum fuselage length and wingspan.

To expedite the registration, ED Jon Dieringer has enlisted great help joining him at the registration desk, like Tim Jesky, a legend on Site 1.

July 20, 2021: RC Aerobatics Preview

By Jim Quinn

AMA has published the “official” dates for this year’s Nats. The real question, however, is when did the Nats begin for the pilots?

Yes, they had to register before the deadline, they made transportation and living arrangements, they coordinated with friends, and many other things.

Many traffic delays caused my arrival at AMA’s IAC to be much later than was the plan. On arrival, the sun was setting, but that didn’t stop pilots from one extra trim flight. Bryan Hebert was flying his biplane on Site 3. Check out the setting sun.

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.

NSRCA Cancels Participation in 2020 Pattern Nats

The 2020 National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats) are still scheduled to begin July 12. AMA is continuing to monitor the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and it's impact on our upcoming events. Our final decision on moving forward with the Nats will take place June 10. AMA Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are also making decisions for their individual schedules, and some are choosing to make earlier cancellations for their events. The following message is from Archie Stafford, president of the National Society for Radio Controlled Aerobatics (NSRCA):

July 19, 2019: RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern)

By Monte Richard (mrichard@compassengineering.com)

Day 3 of the Nats, our second day of flying competition, went well. We shut down flying at 8:30 a.m. to allow a Learjet to come in and land. The show was worth the slight delay.

The sky was overcast, which kept temperatures cool. All sites started flying and we completed FAI about 11 a.m. Advanced is the longer class and didn’t finish its second round until roughly 1 p.m., just in time for the start of Intermediate and Masters.

July 18, 2019: RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern)

By Monte Richard (mrichard@compassengineering.com)

Hurricane Barry had its effects on the RC Aerobatics Nats, taking place in Blytheville, Arkansas. But despite the rain, we managed to process all of the planes on Tuesday. The airport authority at the Arkansas Aeroplex sponsored a barbecue dinner with fried catfish, barbecue brisket all the fixings, and banana pudding for dessert. Quite a treat.