July 18, 2024: RC Scale Aerobatics (IMAC)

By Ashley Moser

Day four of the AMA RC Scale Aerobatics (International Miniature Aerobatic Club [IMAC]) Nats greeted us with cooler temperatures in the mid-50s and steady wind gusts of 5-10 mph. The weather held steady, allowing for a full day of flying, and tomorrow's forecast looks promising as well.

We kicked off the Freestyle rounds this afternoon. Despite some minor technical glitches, we were soon back on track and wheels up. With five competitors in the Freestyle category, we witnessed some heart-pounding flights and a few close calls. Kevin Garland took the top spot after the first round, and I feel that tomorrow's rounds won’t hold back!

Tonight's banquet for the 50th anniversary of the IMAC Nats was a celebration to remember. Key players like Jaques Telles and Primo Rivera received awards. Jim McCall helped give away an impressive array of raffle prizes, including a 61-inch AJ Slick, a Spektrum NX10 Transmitter, and a DA 150L, all of which added to the excitement. A local mom-and-son-run restaurant provided a phenomenal feast, complete with a delightful dessert array. A huge thank-you goes to all of the volunteers who helped with the banquet!

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the IMAC Nats, we shared a few nostalgic stories of IMAC's early days. Former IMAC President Mark Jorgensen recounted a time when there were no Knowns, Unknowns, or even rules for judging—far from the digital scoring that we use today. It was a night filled with laughter, tears, friendship, and competition.

Tomorrow is the final day of the IMAC Nats—a culmination of a week's worth of ups and downs, triumphs and setbacks, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. See you all on the flightline for the grand finale!

Note from AMA: Do you have photos from the Nats that you’d like to share? If so, email them to Clarissa Poston at clarissap@modelaircraft.org. Please include a brief description in your email, naming any individuals pictured in the photo(s), the name of the event that the photo(s) were taken during, and the name of the individual who took the photo(s). Your submission(s) might be posted on AMA’s Flickr page, which can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/modelaircraft/albums!