June 3, 2019: Indoor Free Flight

By Rob Romash (rob@eclipsetoys.com)

Lead photo: The P-18 Mass Launch.

Sunday is the last day of the meet. The morning events were both well attended and hard fought. One event is P-18. With more than 15 people flying Open, and at least six in Junior, the air was filled with colorful models. Most of the junior P-18s were built on site during several educational build sessions John McGrath oversaw.

A happy kid and his Embryo model takes off rise-off-ground from the table airport.

The Arizona flag is the backdrop for a gaggle of P-18s.

One Junior, Logan “The Beast” Alves caught some lucky air to set a new site record of 3:53, which is a huge time. It should be noted that Logan trumped every adult competitor. The P-18 Mass Launch was a real spectacle with John Mcgrath coming out on top by nearly a minute more than the next best time.

Another mass launch flyoff was Coconut Scale. These are the big scale ships with at least a 36-inch span.  Dave Aronstein came out on top here with his 60-inch-wingspan Tupolev, besting the others by more than two minutes.

George Nunez’s beautiful Coconut Scale model. I cajoled George into to put a few more winds in and he got his personal best. Sometimes you just need a pushy guy from Jersey to get the best out of you!

George Nunez’s Coconut climbs near the ceiling.

The afternoon came back around to lighter models with full Pennyplane, A-6, F1M, Limited Pennyplane (LPP), Manhattan Cabin, and Towline Glider. Indoor Towline Glider is one of the most fun. This event has the basic layout and size as an LPP, but of course you take a quick walk and tow it as close to the ceiling as possible. As it was slightly overcast at that time of the day, there wasn’t any help from lift as in previous time slots. This resulted in some close times as skill was required to get max height. Don “Flip Flops” Deloach came out on top.

Local cool dude Rick Palmer launches his Pennyplane skyward. Rick is newbie whose modeling skills are razor sharp.

Rick Palmer focuses on his rubber motor.

There are a few special things about flying for 10 hours a day for five days! The first is the level of competitors a format like this attracts. Second if flying with the best our sport has to offer. It truly either humbles you when you get your butt kicked or delights you when you win or even place. It isn’t just the competition—it’s the people themselves. In all my years going to the Indoor Nats, I can’t think of a single rude person or uncomfortable situation. Everyone at this meet, including the local folks who stopped by, are just cool to be around. Considering the final tally of more than 55 entrants and all the smiles, it’s a smart bet we will be back. A big thank you need to go out to the Eager/Springerville folks for their hospitality and welcoming us to their corner of this great country.

If flying indoor isn’t fun enough, how about winning $1,500 cash in the district competition? Here benefactors put up $1,500 for first, $1,000 for second, and $500 for third. Contestants from each AMA District in attendance combine their skills to gain points. Here we see District IX, gloating over their loot!

Dave Aronstein and Tom Norell were awarded the Blue Max from the FAC crew. This rare award takes into consideration your lifetime FAC first place wins—get 16 and you’re in.

Blue Max recipients not only get the award, but they get hazed a bit and have to stand at attention while the show is in full swing.

Tom Norell is being bequeathed with his Blue Max pendant by Don Deloach.

Our dedicated organizers who tirelessly made this event happen top to bottom.

AMA District IX with the Tony Italiano Cup. Tony was a mainstay in all aspects of model aviation and ran the Indoor Nats for many years. His contributions are endless, and we will remember him through this new event.

The Grieve Thompson Mass Launch contestants.

Tom Norell gets some help winding his Peanut Scale in the darkening space at around 8 p.m.

Dave Aronstein and his No-Cal model flew nearly as long as a Pennyplane—8 minutes!

Indoor Free Flight Nats mascots.

Jonathan Nunez drove his 996 from California. It was overheard he had to outrun a police helicopter to avoid a hefty speeding ticket.

Day 5 Results