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Nats News

July 22, 2021: Indoor Free Flight

By Rob Romash

The doors open at 7 a.m. each day, and the competition starts at 9 a.m.

The building was a little slower filling Wednesday after folks settled in Tuesday.

It was an early arrival for me, and about a half-dozen others. We were greeting with a dimly lit space where the few models flying would blend into shadows in the ceiling in dawn conditions.

Soon after though, the lights were on and the air buzzed with high-speed launches of various balsa/carbon-fiber gliders.

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.

June 25, 2021: Control Line Aerobatics Ends

By Matt Neumann

Well, Wednesday I left off with the statement that Thursday could be a very interesting day. It was!

Contestants were again greeted with cool temperatures and some wind. The temperatures were a little warmer than what we have been greeted with from the past two days, but light jackets were the norm to start out with. The temperatures increased throughout the day, along with the wind and the competition.

June 25, 2021: RC Pylon Racing

By Gary Freeman Jr.

422 started Thursday. This is the fastest class we fly at the nationals. The aircraft are semiscale Pylon Racers. They can do around 190 mph. There are lots of different options for aircraft and two motor selections. One is from Dub Jett and the other is a Nelson from Mike Langlois. Both engines are very competitive.

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