Welsey Smith launching brother, Conner Smith's, Skyray 35 Carrier plane.
By Melvin Schuette
Thursday was Unofficial Navy Carrier Events day. It was also the last day of Navy Carrier flying at the 2025 AMA Nationals.
This year proved that model aviation is a family affair. The Smith family came from North Carolina to compete at the Nationals. Both David and his wife, Sarah, along with their two sons, competed.
Husband and wife, Jo and Evert Shoemaker, also came from North Carolina to compete in the events. Jo was able to beat Evert in the two events they both flew. I am certain that we will see them all again at the AMA Nationals in the future.
In case you are wondering, Paul Smith and David Smith are not related. The only thing they have in common, other than their last name, is their love of flying model airplanes.
A big thank you goes out to Pete Mazur and Dick Perry, who gave up their time to run the Navy Carrier Events. Another thanks goes out to Susan Perry and Tara DeGroff, who spent three days timing every flight. Also, a thanks to all of the other contestants who filled in doing the pull test and line checks for each other. It is because of volunteers and contestants like these, who are willing to help out, that these events are possible.
Paul Smith, from Michigan, showed us the first place trophy he received at the first AMA Nationals he attended in 1975. Fifty years later, in 2025, he won the Nostalgia Profile Carrier event at the AMA Nationals!
Once again, the weather was not a contributing factor in the outcome of this year's Navy Carrier Nationals. Other than the heat, I am certain that the contestants would like to have the same conditions next year.
Until next time, keep your lines tight and your hook dry.
