Hope, Joshua, and Caleb Finn (right) of J & H Aerospace pose with some of the youth competitors that they mentor. All are holding gliders from J & H Aerospace. Photo credit: Mai Le
2025 Indoor Free Flight Nats News – A Youth’s Perspective
By Preston Le
Whether fighting demons in the air, spectating, or simply having a good time, the three days at the Indoor Free Flight Nats are always special. For me, memories are made here, and the 2025 Nats at the ETSU dome in Johnson City was no different.
Day one started off with gliders, which are always a great time for everyone. Don Slusarczyk won Catapult-Launch Glider, while Joshua Finn won Hand-Launch Glider.
As the day progressed with flying F1R, F1D, Hand-Launch Stick, and Cabin, contestants got busy. Nick Ray took the F1R title with two impressive flights of 31:23 and 30:55, while Don Slusarczyk put up a 35 minute flight to win Hand-Launch Stick.
Day two saw heavyweights come into action, with a beautifully large turnout of 16 entries in Limited Pennyplane. Don Slusarczyk once again won Open Pennyplane, F1M, and Manhattan Cabin, while P-18 went to John Kagan and Limited Pennyplane to Tom Sova. Some admirable performances by Juniors were made, especially by Jack Ewing, who set a new F1M Junior record with a combined time of 23:30 (12:08 + 11:22).
Day two’s conclusion saw F1D fliers finish off their flights while preparing for the US F1D team selection in July. Brett Sanborn won the overall event with a combined time of 54:15, tallying combined flights of 27:17, and 26:58. Unfortunately, Brett’s F1D model was later lost to the Mini-Dome’s hungry jaws.
During the last day, all the tension cooled off as Indoor Free Flight Nats came to a close. Nick Ray won Ministick in his standard fashion, Hamish Christie won A-6 in his usual dominant style, and Brett Sanborn comfortably took first in F1L. The P-18 mass launch and closing speech by the one and only David Lindley finally ended Nats
Throughout the event, I was constantly reminded that it’s not the competition that makes Nats special. It is the little moments. Conversations are sparked constantly, and new friends are made while others are rekindled. From lighthearted play to the cohesive panic of a plane getting stuck, the yearly event always has its charm as the indoor free flight community reconnects and enjoys what we all have in common.
