Nats 2003

December 2003 5
Nats 2003
THE 2003 NATIONAL Aeromodeling Championships, also known
as the Nats, is in the history books. When you look back at the Nats,
you think about what each one will be remembered for. I’d guess
that for those who participated in the first week this year, it will be
remembered as one of floods and personal tragedy.
The evening of July 4 we received approximately four inches of
rainfall. Sometime after midnight, on July 5, we received more than
three more inches of rain. Several areas of the International
Aeromodeling Center were wet and under water!
Control Line (CL) Combat’s site is in the middle of a large grass
field. Since the rain came so fast and so violently the night before,
the ground had not had time to saturate by the morning of July 5.
The Combat participants were able to drive out into the field with
few problems. However, shortly after arrival, the ground became
waterlogged and some 35 vehicles got stuck!
Combat flew on, enduring impossible muddy conditions for
the Team Selection event for
next year’s CL World
Championships. The AMA
maintenance crew worked all
day using the only thing that
would move in the mess (a John
Deere ProGator) to extract the
vehicles from the mud.
A search of the AMA
grounds resulted in finding only
one more site that might work
which was not in use by other
events. This area proved high
enough and Combat flew on,
finishing the Team Selection and
all Nats categories on time. All
other events that first week of
the Nats had similar problems,
although they were not as severe as Combat.
Radio Control (RC) Helicopter was faced with a flooded road
that limited access to the site, and the grass runway that the
helicopters used was soggy at best. Rubber mats finally had to be
brought in for the pilots to stand on and the helicopters to land on.
I know I lifted off once and watched the water drain slowly from
my helicopter’s skids!
The accompanying picture tells it all. You are looking to the
east along the road to the RC Helicopter site. In the canoe are
AMA Maintenance Supervisor Dewayne Baird (on the left), my
son Andrew, and myself. We are in two feet of water over the
middle of the road!
Although the flooding presented some “challenges,” the Nats
went on with few delays—a real testament to the competitors,
volunteers, and staff. A profound thank you to all!
We also witnessed tragedy at the Nats. On July 9, CL Racing
contestant Jerry Meyer collapsed and was taken to the hospital.
He died early the next morning. It is my understanding that his
death was caused by a pre-existing condition. Our sincere
condolences go out to Mr. Meyer’s family and friends.
The following day another CL competitor took ill and had to
be rushed to the hospital. He later underwent surgery. From what
I understand, he has recovered and is doing well.
One thing about the Nats that is (fortunately) overlooked at
times is the fact that we have a full-time emergency medical
technician on-site during all flying hours. Additionally, the local
emergency medical service—Delaware County EMS—has a
station on AMA property, just outside AMA’s front gate. These
two things make response time to emergencies during the Nats
extremely fast.
The Academy has purchased
three automatic external
defibrillators (AED). AMA staff
will be trained in CPR
(cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
and the use of the AEDs. One
will be with the EMS personnel
during all Nats events.
AMA HQ has a carefully
drawn-out emergency response
plan for on-site medical
emergencies. We put these
procedures in place a few years
ago, following a serious auto
accident on the site that was caused
by one driver’s medical condition.
These measures not only
allow the EMS to respond
quickly, but they also provide directions for staff and volunteers
to work the emergency quickly and efficiently. Traffic control,
radio procedures, and directing a responding ambulance are
covered.
A few more than 1,100 people competed in this year’s Nats, 77
mechanics helped pilots achieve greatness, and more than 161
volunteers made it all happen. It was a tough year in many
aspects, but it was also a testament to the perseverance of the
participants and staff. Not one event was canceled or significantly
delayed.
So to the more than 1,300 people who were this year’s
National Aeromodeling Championships, congratulations! You
made the 77th year one to remember. MA
... a real testament to the competitors, volunteers, and staff. A profound thank you to all!
■ Steve Kaluf