Pete Athans (L) with a foam F2D model and Ed Brzys with a well-worn Speed Limit model. Pete and his teammate, Chris Gay, were the only two pilots flying foam models in F2D Fast. They took first and second place. Advantage foam?
How many 2-meter airplanes can you get under the tent during a rain delay?
If you have been following NatsNews closely, you will have noticed that there is a trend with the 2024 AMA RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern) Nats—weather delays.
The top five pilots from 2022 (L-R): Paul Walker, Derek Barry, Kenny Stevens, and Todd Lee. Kneeling is Champion Orestes Hernandez.
I have heard that Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics is like a dance between the partners of pilot and airplane. When they are in sync, it can be a thing of beauty to see as an airplane is put through the pattern. I have to believe that that is quite true.
The Advanced pilots have their airplanes lined up at Site 4, ready for the low ceiling to lift.
Day one of flying at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center started off with a low ceiling that delayed the start of the competition until about 9:30 a.m.; everyone waited patiently, as this is a normal occurrence at Pattern contests. The pilots were excited to get started!
A room full of eager pilots ready for the “official” pilot meeting.
Monday hosts the official pilot check-in and the processing of all of the aircraft used in the 2024 AMA RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern) Nats. Starting at 9 a.m., pilots have until 3 p.m. to check in and have their aircraft and batteries weighed and stickered.
CD Norm Poti and the new US F5J team: John Butler, Tom Kiesling, and Steven Wilcox Jr.
It's a beautiful morning at Site 5 of the AMA International Aeromodeling Center! It's warm, a big change from the cold, damp mornings of the past two days. The wing tape actually sticks! This makes for nice, buoyant morning air.
The 101st AMA Outdoor Free Flight (FF) Nats wrapped up with the final day of official flying on Friday, July 26. The weather remained excellent for flying with mostly sunny skies, high temperatures in the low 80s, and winds ranging from 4-8 mph.
6:30 a.m.—it’s chilly and damp, not the greatest conditions for setting up your sailplanes (I hate it when the tape won't stick), especially when you haven't had enough coffee, yet the pits begin to fill up with pilots and airplanes getting ready for the 8 a.m. start.
As we ramp up to the 2024 AMA RC Precision Aerobatics (Pattern) Nats, it’s a great time to look ahead at the week of events, including some changes that are new to this year’s Nats.