2024 RC Pylon Introduction

By Ola Nordell, assisted by Leo Nordell

Welcome back to Muncie, Indiana. People have taken the time to make the annual trek for the Outdoor AMA Nats. The numbers for our events are up from previous years, and, in fact, it looks like we have hit the 82 mark for AMA 426 (Q500).

Please approach the author with any exciting news that should be covered from the 2024 RC Pylon Nats in the NatsNews reports.

Below is an overview of the 2024 AMA RC Pylon Nats schedule:

Location:

5161 E. Memorial Dr.

Muncie, Indiana, 47302

Site 3 at the AMA International Aeromodeling Center

July 7-12, 2024

Saturday, July 6

10 a.m.-6 p.m.—EF-1/424/426 Processing

Sunday, July 7

9 a.m.-5 p.m.—424 Competition and Flyoffs; Trophies

1 p.m.-5 p.m.—EF-1 Processing 

Monday, July 8

9 a.m.-6 p.m.—EF-1 Competition and Flyoffs; Trophies

2 p.m.-6 p.m.—426/422 Processing

6 p.m.-8 p.m.—Banquet at the AMA McCollough Room (located in the National Model Aviation Museum)

Tuesday, July 9

9 a.m.-6 p.m.—426 Competition

Wednesday, July 10

9 a.m.-2 p.m.—426 Competition and Flyoffs; Trophies

2 p.m.-6 p.m.—422 Processing

Thursday, July 11

9 a.m.-6 p.m.—422 Competition

Friday, July 12

9 a.m.-2 p.m.—422 Competition and Flyoffs; Trophies

Sunday, July 7, will officially mark the start of the RC Pylon Nats. We will fly AMA 424, which is a slower version of Q500. In this class, the speeds are around 115 mph.

Monday, July 8, is when Electric F-1 (EF-1) will be flown. We have approximately 47 entries for this class. The Electric class was established to bring back some of the old traditions of F-1, and it is our only electric event in Pylon. Every year, we have a Best of Show award, and I am hearing some rumors that some pilots have stepped up their game! In this class, the speeds are around 115 mph.

Tuesday, July 9, will be day one of the two-day racing event for AMA 426. This is our largest class with 82 entries. The speed for this class is around 155 mph. This class has all of the early restrictions that Glen Spickler had written into the rules in the early 1960s, but it has morphed into fully composite models that compete with foam-wing versions as well. Staying true to the original intent, pilots are only allowed to run one motor. This motor is sold by Dub Jett, and this class is affectionately known as the Jett class. These motors are a far cry from the old K&B 4011s that were required at the start.

Wednesday, July 10, is the last day of 426, and it is the day used to finalize the event. There will be some exciting wingtip-to-wingtip racing in the finals, and the AMA 426 National Champion will be declared!

Thursday, July 11, will be day one of AMA 422. This is the Q40 class, and it’s the fastest of all of the Pylon events run this week. Speeds are around 185 mph. This class replaced the old F-1 event and has proven to be very popular. We have approximately 77 entries for this class. We will run an 8-round event to determine a National Champion.

Friday, July 12, will be day two of AMA 422 and the final day of the AMA RC Pylon Nats. On this day, the AMA 422 (Q40) National Champion will be declared.