FAI F3A World Team (L to R): Andrew Jesky, Jason Schulman, Team Manager Joe Walker, AC Glenn, and Pete Collinson (alternate).
By Jessy Symmes
The 100th AMA Nationals came down to one flightline Friday afternoon. All other classes finished early and made their way over to Site 1, where the crowd built for the F3A finals and the Team Trial that would decide who represents the United States at the next World Championships. Joe Walker and Forrest Pilkenton flew demo flights for the gathered pilots and spectators.
After three rounds, it was settled. Andrew Jesky finished on a perfect 3000, winning every counting round of the finals. Jason Shulman took second at 2992.65, a margin of just over seven points across three flights. Albert “AC” Glenn placed third at 2907.59, holding off Peter Collinson by four points in the tightest fight of the day.
Jesky, Shulman, and Glenn will represent the United States in Korea at the World Championships. Joe Walker returns as Team Manager. Jesky enters as the current World Champion.
For Glenn, it is a first. He has been one of the top pattern pilots in the country for years, with a national FAI title already to his name, but this is the first time he has made the team.
“Making the U.S. F3A Team is a dream I’ve been chasing for a long time, and it’s hard to put into words what this accomplishment means to me,” Glenn said. “The journey has been filled with challenges, setbacks, and countless hours of practice, but every obstacle made this moment even more rewarding. I’m incredibly grateful to my family, friends, teammates, and everyone who supported and believed in me along the way. It’s an honor to represent the United States, and I’m looking forward to giving my very best as a member of Team USA.”
Gordon Hyde closed out Masters the same way he ran the prelims, with a perfect 2000 in the finals. David Lockhart finished second at 1982.15, and Christopher Hogue was third at 1906.05. In Advanced, Lonnie Martin also posted a perfect 2000 in the finals, with Joseph Lachowski second at 1944.51, and Evan Krause third at 1937.04.
Elsewhere on the results sheet, Samuel Woodard took the Sportsman title at 5994.77, finishing ahead of Kasey Johnson at 5941.07, and John Schmehl at 5433.07. Timothy Taylor won Intermediate with a perfect 6000, dropping nothing all week, ahead of Eric Uptagrafft at 5711.53, and Ron McGrath at 5432.79.
Congratulations to the World Team, and to every pilot who put in the practice at their local field all year and came out to compete at the 100th AMA Nationals.
