First Nats
BY MICHAEL RAMSEY
This 82nd annual aeromodeling event encompassed many first-time experiences.
The first National Aeromodeling Championships (Nats) was held more than 82 years ago, several years before the AMA was even formed. The event comprised free flight (FF) competition and rubber-powered aircraft. Aviation itself was in its infancy, and the goal of model builders was similar to the goal of full-scale airplane designers: to keep the aircraft in the air as long as possible.
The purpose of the competition was to bring people with similar interests together to share one of the fun things about aviation: modeling. Through modeling they could compare ideas and test them for the fun of it, and, quite naturally, competition ensued. Back then they were probably happy just to have an open field and decent flying weather and to go home with their models in the same condition in which they brought them.
Today's AMA Nats consists of much more than FF competition. As aviation evolved, so did modeling. The outdoor portion of the Nats is now known for being the largest modeling event in the world. This year, for six weeks between July and August, it welcomed more than 1,100 competitors from the U.S. and abroad to compete in control-line (CL), free-flight (FF), and radio control (RC) categories.
The International Aeromodelling Center (IAC) in Muncie, Indiana, is state-of-the-art, with more than 1,000 acres of property. It features eight paved and six grass CL circles, three paved runways, and one grass strip. In addition, any part of the manicured grounds can be set up as an FF event headquarters at a moment's notice. It's far better than an open field, and the site has electrical hookups for campers and plentiful restroom facilities.
Most people who come to Muncie comment that they couldn't ask for anything more in a contest site, yet the Academy is always making little adjustments to support the contest directors (CDs), special interest groups (SIGs), and members who come to enjoy a facility every AMA member should consider his or her home flying field.
The Nats has something of interest for every modeler, yet many members choose to stay away because of the stress or just plain disinterest in competition in general. Many regularly attend the Nats because of one inescapable observation: the participants—even the volunteers—have fun. In fact, many people I talked with told me they came for the fun.
The largest aeromodeling event isn't just about the stress involved with competition; it's about enjoying model airplanes with people from across the country, as they used to do when the first Nats was held more than 80 years ago.
The intent of this article isn't to give a full-blown account of everything that happened during the six-week period of the Nats. AMA produced a daily publication called NatsNews to provide reports from the flightline by people who specialized in an interest at the contest. Hundreds of pages, thousands of great photos, and every score posted are available for download from AMA's website.
Nats Firsts
- Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS) radios were used by a large number of competitors in RC events. Those systems had proven to work well at the local level, and participants were convinced they would be a benefit at the Nats. This was the first Nats at which DSS was available, and it made a noticeable impact on the events on a number of levels.
- In RC Combat and RC Pylon, frequency conflicts have historically kept some contestants from ever flying against each other. Because of DSS, frequency-control issues and matrix systems might soon be a thing of the past; CDs will be able to match all contestants against each other, which will more fairly determine a national champion.
- DSS also permitted the IAC to be used more effectively. In the past, AMA members who traveled to the site to fly for sport had to be turned away because the frequencies were reserved for the contest. For the first time at the Nats, space was made available for sport modelers who wanted to fly for fun if they had DSS radio equipment. The extra effort made it possible to see multiple areas of the 1,000-plus acres overflowing with modeling activity.
- The national competition isn't reserved for U.S. citizens. If a competitor from another country wants to compete, all he or she has to do is register as an AMA Affiliate Member and pay an extra $28 fee.
- International competitors made an impression at the event. Last year Len Mount of England competed in RC Scale Helicopter at the Nats for the first time and added number 18 to his list of international scale-competition wins. The experience was so positive for Len's caller, Matthew Reuben, that he decided to return in 2007 to compete in the revised Class I RC Helicopter event—his first contest. Matthew's dedication to practice paid off and he took home the win. In second place was Baron Johnson—the 2007 Nats RC Aerobatics Unlimited runner-up and Freestyle winner—who decided to try RC Helicopter competition for the first time.
Competition isn't for everyone, and that's okay. I decided to give it a try this year. The stress and fear weren't as big a part of the Nats as I thought they were; at least they didn't have to be. It was also nice to know that if things weren't going my way, there were people who wanted to help. Even though their first Nats may have been some time ago, they wanted to see me have a good time. Their attitude helped make the Nats an event I'd like to come back to, perhaps so I can help make someone else's first Nats a fun experience.
My First Nats
I used to be one of those who didn't care much for competition, and I used just about every excuse not to attend the Nats. There didn't seem to be a point to using my vacation time to go somewhere in the Midwest during the hottest days of the summer to be stressed out at a contest.
After two years of watching other people have fun at this event, I decided maybe spending my vacation time wasn't such a bad idea after all. I'm typically wishing I had brought a model airplane with me no matter where I go anyway.
I decided that 2007 would be my first year as a Nats competitor. After working in Muncie for the last two years, I was out of excuses. Besides, I wanted to have fun with the many people I had made friends with during their annual Nats vacations. And I had always wanted to try RC Scale. Who knows? The experience might lead to a Top Gun title someday.
During the beginning of the year I spent a lot of time flying International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) Intermediate sequences with a 1/4-scale Extra 330L, but the RC Scale Aerobatics Nats didn't fit into my schedule. Mike Barbee, a world-class competitor well known for his success in scale competitions such as Top Gun, is a Nats regular. To do well in Scale he practices at precision aerobatics contests such as those the IMAC runs. "The flight time in front of the IMAC judges helps me to be more relaxed when the time comes to fly at a scale contest," he has said.
Remembering that statement, I decided to do the same thing. However, I used the same IMAC airplane I had flown in Scale Aerobatics to fly in a Scale contest; its color scheme and graphics were nearly identical to those of a full-scale aircraft. Since I was already familiar with the model, basically all I needed to do was assemble some documentation and show up at the event. The minimal work kept the fun factor high.
Going through the AMA rule book was the next step. It looked like my best option was to enter the Fun Scale Novice category, in which static judging isn't a large part of the final score. Even though my Extra was an ARF, the Builder-of-the-Model rule isn't in effect in that class; it's more of a flying contest than anything else. Since I was comfortable flying the airplane, the event seemed like it would be a lot of fun.
I talked with a number of friends who flew Scale. They helped answer a number of my questions and, best of all, we figured it would be a good idea if we all flew together at the Nats. The extra support of their experience and familiarity would be an asset when it came to learning the ropes.
I sent off my Nats entry form and fee, which I found out was important to do early. The event directors use the preregistration roster to order the trophies; if a class isn't filled, they don't order plaques.
I couldn't practice every day before the event, but there was time each day for a quick sit-down at the RC simulator. In Scale, mandatory moves have to be designed into a 10-maneuver program. It isn't like Scale Aerobatics, in which everyone flies the same maneuvers. I could make up practically any sequence I wanted, as long as the schedule began with a takeoff and ended with a landing.
This was new to me, so the simulator proved extraordinarily helpful in figuring out which maneuvers the airplane could do and which ones I could do well. Before long I had a sequence basically mapped out, but it took several evenings for me to memorize the whole routine. The simulator didn't replicate the exact way my Extra flew, but the better the flight schedule was burned into memory, the less likely I was to forget when standing in front of the judges for the first time.
It's fortunate that I live close to the Nats headquarters, but many people drive hours, sometimes days, to get to Muncie. Forgetting a part or a tool can ruin the whole contest, so they typically plan for the worst. It was common to see spare engines, radio equipment, and building materials crammed into participants' vehicles and trailers at the Nats.
The field box I carry contains almost every tool I could ever need. However, on the first day of the competition I looked down at the bottom of my engine to see oil leaking around the spark plug. The engine would flame out on the next flight for sure. Fun Scale Open competitor John Boyko saved me since my 5/8 wrench was safe at home. Next time I'll go over every nut and bolt of the model and put every tool I use in my flight box.
The weather in Muncie can be exceedingly unpredictable. Inside a week the temperatures can go from a fall chill to a summer swelter. A quick rain shower happens every now and then too. Do yourself a favor and bring comfortable outdoor seating and a pop-up tent if you decide to attend. There are typically hours to spend between flight rounds, so it's a good idea to make yourself comfortable. Bring a cooler filled with your favorite liquid refreshment, and then the downtime is like a relaxing vacation.
What mattered most to me at my first Nats competition was to enjoy myself. For that to happen, my primary concern was to go home with my airplane in the same condition in which I took it. So I convinced myself that above all else I would fly in a safe manner. Therefore, I thoroughly inspected my Extra and checked it again before every flight.
In case you were wondering, crashes did happen. However, this edition of the Nats had the fewest accidents ever recorded. Dan Powell, an RC Scale Aerobatics competitor, came to fly at his first Nats and lost his beautiful Dalton Extra 260 on the last day of the contest. We talked before the tragedy, and I couldn't help but admire his meticulous attention to maintenance; these things just happen sometimes.
My first Nats competition had its highs and lows. I managed to complete all four rounds with the Extra returning to my workshop without a scratch. I learned a great deal from the experience and found a new appreciation for the people who have made this event an annual family reunion.
Because the Nats was still a new experience for me, starting off easy in a beginner's event was the smart choice. If I compete in Scale next year, it will probably be with a different model. The warbirds are extremely popular, and given that the wind is a large factor in how the airplane presents itself, the faster it can be flown the better.
Competition is as much about attitude as it is about being prepared with the right equipment and experience. Many who did well went for the fun of modeling and tried not to get stressed about doing well their first time out. Even though problems come up, staying calm and going with the flow will keep your head in the game. It isn't worth getting aggravated or angry; that's when mistakes happen.
Participating in the Nats was a positive experience, and I hope that sharing it will encourage other AMA members to think seriously about attending next year or in the near future.
MA — Michael Ramsey [email protected]
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
