August 22, 2025: RC Aerobatics

By Jerry Budd and Jarvis Johnson

Finals morning dawned cool with high overcast clouds and light winds…nearly perfect flying conditions. Flying began about 8:30 am.

On Site 4, the Sportsman and Intermediate competitors completed rounds 7 and 8, with their score total being the best six of eight flights flown.

The six Advanced finalists completed three rounds. Their final score was the best three of four scores from the finals flights and their re-normalized preliminary scoring total.

At Site 3, the eight Masters finalists also flew three rounds. Their final score being the best three of four scores from the three finals flights and their re-normalized preliminary scoring total.

At Site 1 the eight FAI F3A finalists flew three finals flights: Unknown 1, F-25, and Unknown 2. The final placements were determined by combining all three normalized scores (no carry-in scores and no dropped scores).

Winds remained light to calm during the day, and flying was completed at approximately 4:30 pm.

The Nats ended with a banquet on Friday evening at Vera Mae’s Bistro in downtown Muncie, where the final finishing order for each class was announced. Awards were handed out, photos were taken, stories were told, and goodbyes were said. Many began their long drive home the next day while thinking about next year Nats.

It was a great Nats, with the best weather anyone can remember, and the quality of the flying was at a high level. Old friendships were renewed, new friends were made, and we flew model airplanes together. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Be safe and we’ll see everyone next year!

Final scores can be seen on the NSRCA website: Scores