Daily Coverage of the 2011 National Aeromodeling Championships July 25, 2011 Inside: Academy of Model Aeronautics International Aeromodeling Center, Muncie IN website: www.modelaircraft.org; email: nats@modelaircraft.org Copyright Academy of Model Aeronautics 2011 Editors: Ashley Rauen, Rachelle Haughn, Liz Helms
Free Flight Wrap-Up Photos by David Mills. Bob Hanford (OK) and his ¼A NosGas Hoosier Hotshot. When the fliers who competed at the 2011 Nats reminisce, they ll have much about which to talk. Believe me, the first topic will be the heat. Friday dawned hot and stayed that way, no surprise. Fortunately, for those with flying to do, the humidity continued its modest decline begun at midweek, and its evil comrade, the heat index didn t make a bad situation much worse. Even so, on-field thermometers read in the 98-to-104 F range and the calculated heat index hovered in the low-teens. Mercifully, the winds remained out of the southwest, convenient in direction, and velocity was very moderate compared to the week, good for drift and minimizing offfield excursions. This was a blessing many appreciated. Still, there was work in store for Friday, and posting scores in multiple events entailed some grit. Many did what they had to do and left for home shortly thereafter. The exodus was such that this writer as never seen so few fliers on the flightline by lunchtime, the gradual fatigue from the whole week building to the point where enough was enough, fun or not. By midafternoon, only about 20 fliers were hoisting models aloft. We didn t even bother with the day s awards ceremony. The 2011 Free Flight Nats was over. It was fun while it lasted, though. The performance by the P-30 fliers was nothing short of heroic. Twenty-three towed the line and only three maxed out. Club friend Jim Jennings Sr. (TN) grabbed the top spot after suffering a hard crash and overseeing a group repair job for his final and clinching flight. His score of 810 seconds was followed by John Seymour (OH) with 750 and Don DeLoach (CO) with 655. The Flying Aces Club guys had a big day in Scale. Ted Allebone (MI) took first in Gas Scale. Peanut Scale and Rubber Scale both drew large fields. Mike Fedor (TX) was first in the former, while Don DeLoach took the later. Overall, we saw some spirited and well-attended flying in Scale, and hopefully, we can expect more in 2012. Classic Towline continues to draw a large field and a diverse range of designs a very good thing. Only the top three fliers maxed out and went into the flyoffs. Bob Sifleet (PA) won by a ton with 1,020 2 seconds. Tim Batiuk (CA) and Dan Berry (AR) trailed with 780 and 628, respectively. It was Lanzo Sticks and Gollywocks galore in OT Rubber Stick. Against a solid field of 13 fliers, Dan Berry (AR) won by a wide margin with 998 seconds. Ed Hardin (TN) and Jim O Reilly (KS) trailed with 743 and 631. Among the many gas events flown on Friday, two are worth particular mention. Super D, the big really guns, drew a crowdpleasing five fliers. Always a spectacle, everything stops on the field when these beasts take flight. Joe Clawson (FL) maxed out for first with 360 seconds, and Jack Marsh (IN) followed by a hair with 357, good for second, and Hank Sperzel (MI), likewise, third with 345. At the end of the Scale 1 / 4 A NosGas sported a surprising 11 fliers and close competition. Bob Sowder (VA) took the gold with 480 seconds. At the north half of the field a drama of some importance was taking place. The Junior USA Free Flight World Championship team was being selected. The results weren t known at this writing, but the team going to Slovenia in 2012 will be a good one. Old Glory is in good hands. What can be said about the 2011 Free Flight Nats? For one, participation was up slightly from last year with 223 registrants, contrary to expectations based on gasoline price worries. The fires of competition still burn mightily among us and we can afford the gasoline. Second, and speaking of fires, it was hot, plenty hot. Locals testified all week as to the absurdly hot temperatures. The local weather report stated three of the five days were the hottest in 50 years. That being the case, we can be proud of ourselves. We flailed away at it hard all week. And we were smart about it, too. Of the four injuries reported, only one was purely heat-related, a miracle considering the circumstances. Third, the AMA and NFFS know how to pull off a really big contest. Aside from the usual glitch or two, this writer knows of no issues worth relaying. We should thank all the many volunteers for their good work, especially CD Phil Sullivan. Thanks, everyone. Want to do it again next year? David Mills
Thirteen youths competed in the Junior Team Selection contest Friday for a spot on the USA Free Flight Team for the 2012 Slovenia World Championship. Taron Malkasyan, F1P, pictured here, was one of the competitors. Some of the other competitors appear on this page. Brian Pacelli, F1P and FIB. 13 vie for a spot on USA Free Flight Team Wes Murell, F1B. es Murell, F1B. Peyton Tetrick, F1B. 3
Jerry Murphy (CO) and Don DeLoach (CO) prep their P-30s, both are Don s Polecat design. Don s flight was good for third place. Jack Marsh (IN) and his Super D. The 1,100 sq. in. Maverick was good for second. 4
Unofficial Scores Please note that all scores are unofficial until tabulated by Nats staff. 5
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Hideaway RV Rental is a proud sponsor of all AMA 2011 flying events. Applebee s is a proud sponsor of all AMA 2011 flying events. 8
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The 2011 Nats at the International Aeromodeling Center will resume Tuesday, August 2, with RC Aerobatics. 10