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Radio Control Pylon

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07/05/2025 to 07/11/2025
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For detailed information see the IAC Calendar.

RC Pylon Racing is high-speed excitement.  These small aircraft obtain speeds of nearly 200 mph.  The models fly 10 laps around a course marked by three pylons.  The pilots stand in the middle of the course, turning as the aircraft circle the pylons. Pylon Racing requires good depth perception and quick reflexes.  A tenth of a second flown beyond a pylon can lose the race.

Turns are judged, and any "cuts" (turning short of a pylon) eliminate the lap.  The aircraft typically fly in four heats.  Points are awarded based on the finish place.  The pilot with the most total points after all heat racing is finished is the event winner.  Two classes of Pylon Racing are flown: the Quarter 40 and the Quickie 500.

 

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RC Pylon

Nats News

July 13, 2020: RC Pylon

By Gary Freeman

Day one of the RC Pylon Nats has come and gone. With everything going on in the world today, I think everyone here is looking forward to a safe week with friends and family doing what they love. Thank you, AMA, for allowing us the opportunity.

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.

2019 RC Pylon Super Sport Quickie Recap

By Santiago Panzardi and Dan Kane

As the week heated up, the weather moved in. There were storms all around and rain soaked the field.

AMA 426 Super Sport Q-500 is spec class racing with only one approved engine. That is a Dub Jett Super Sport Quickee engine. There are many different airplanes available for this class, most being of the composite wing variety. The most popular design seems to be the Vortex built by Chuck Bridge, with the next being the R-200 made and sold by Randy Etken of Minnesota.

2019 RC Pylon EF1 Recap

by Santiago Panzardi and Dan Kane Helsel did it again! Congrats! He is now two for two in winning the Nats. Two three-pole events are in the books and Mike has won them both. Stay tuned for what happened next. This year we had 34 entries in EF-1. This event falls under the unofficial event category, as it is not in the AMA rule book.

2019 RC Pylon Club 40 Recap

By Tim Sparks

If you thought you had the “Right Stuff,” Muncie, Indiana, on July 13, 2019, was the place to be! We had great weather. It was hot but the racing was hotter.

Similar to the last couple of years, we started with some fun two-pole racing, which is a nice change from the hectic pace of the AMA three-pole events. Club 40 is a class that allows sport-type airplanes to race head to head on a two-pole course. The pilots fly out in front of themselves for 10 laps, normally against three other pilots.

2019 RC Pylon Q40 Recap

By Santiago Panzardi

Almost 50 contestants entered the event this year. Roy Andrassy and Mike Helsel conducted inspection for the stable of 190 mph-plus capable thoroughbreds. Skies were nice and sunny with a forecast of less than 10% chance of thunderstorms, but who is going to believe that for a Muncie summer day of 90° and high humidity?