As I write this, I have just returned
from the 2012 Hobbico
E-Fest, held February 9-10, at
the University of Illinois Armory in
Champaign, Illinois. The Armory has been
the home of E-Fest since it
started eight years ago.
Each year, the event
draws a large number of
spectators and vendors,
and more than 200 pilots
looking to fl y their aircraft
inside the spacious indoor track-and-fi eld
complex. The facility, which spans 200 x
400 feet with a 98-foot ceiling, was the
largest free-span structure with no central
support system in the world when it was
constructed in 1914.
The Armory is occasionally used by
Hobbico and Horizon Hobby to develop
and test new aircraft.
This year, the Armory will be the venue
for the 2013 Indoor Free Flight Nats,
scheduled August 7-11. The Indoor FF
Nats had previously been held at the East
Tennessee State University in Johnson
City, Tennessee.
The new location is within a few hours
drive from Muncie, Indiana, and I look
forward to attending some of the events
to marvel at the skill and craftsmanship
that goes into the Indoor FF competition models. I hope the change in venue will
allow some people, who haven’t been able to in the past, attend and participate.
The Outdoor Nats will be held in Muncie at the International Aeromodeling
Center June 25-July 30. A breakdown of the dates for each event can be found on
the calendar of events on the AMA website.
The Nats is a great place to meet top competitors from around the world and
learn more about the different disciplines that take place throughout the event.
For those who are unable to attend any of the Nats events, you will fi nd daily
coverage of all of the events in the NatsNews, a daily, online newsletter with
pictures, scores, and an overview of the competition written by authors who
participate in the events they cover.
NatsNews from the 2013 event, as well as those of previous years, can be
accessed at www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx. Model Aviation
will also provide complete event coverage in the November issue of the magazine,
which members will receive in late October.
I hope you enjoy this issue of MA, and be sure to check out our exclusive
review of the ParkZone VisionAire on page 50.
This year, the
Armory will
be the home of
the 2013 Indoor
Free Flight Nats,
August 7-11.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2013/04
Page Numbers: 8
