A Flying Aces Club mass scale launch.
By Skilly DeLoach
The Outdoor Free Flight Nationals are taking Muncie, Indiana by storm this week, July 21-25. Flyable weather is expected this week; rain showers are anticipated on Monday and Friday, while warm, cloudy skies will mark the remainder of the week.
At the Outdoor Free Flight Nationals, much of the competition revolves around flight duration. Competitors typically make three flights, aiming for the longest time in the air. If there’s a tie, flyoffs come into play. The maximum flight time—known as the “max”—depends on wind conditions and the size of the field, with most events set at two minutes.
If a competitor hits three maxes in a row, they can attempt longer flyoff flights. For FAI (F1) events, the max is usually three minutes or more, and pilots must have five or seven flights before moving on to flyoffs, all happening in one-hour rounds. Small glider events have specific launch areas, often referred to as the “pen.”
Free Flight is a classic aviation hobby that has been around since before the Wright brothers. It ranges from tiny Peanut Scale models to larger Super D aircraft. While the models may vary greatly, every competitor shares a love for flying and aims for the longest flight possible, guided by rules set by the AMA.
The determined flying competitors are aiming for a championship at this year’s NATS. The defending category champions for 2024 are as follows:
Junior: Caleb Finn
Senior: Skilly DeLoach
AMA Gas: Neal Menanno
AMA Rubber: Hope Finn
Classic AMA Gas: Roger Erridge
Electric: Dave Sechrist
Glider: Ken Bauer
National Free Flight Society (NFFS) Rubber: Mark Vancil
NOS Gas: Roger Erridge
Welcome to the Nats!
