VIEW FROM HQ
JOIN US FOR THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATS
By Chad Budreau, AMA Executive Director | chadb@modelaircraft.org
I'M EXCITED to share that we are putting together the final touches for the Nats with the help of staff, the AMA Executive Council (EC), volunteers, sponsors, and our Special Interest Groups (SIGs). Much work has gone into this year’s 100th Anniversary of the Nats, presented by Du-Bro.
Whether you compete or not, I encourage you to visit the International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie, Indiana, to cheer on the competitors.
Many of you have asked about the 100th anniversary logo, which features a profile of a winged individual. Some historical context is appropriate, with help from National Model Aviation Museum Director Michael Smith.
In 1923, the Illinois Model Aero Club convinced NAA Vice President Bernard Mulvihill that a national model airplane contest should be created. With his support, the first championships were held as part of the 1923 St. Louis Air Races. Sixteen-year-old Ed Lange won the event with a 4-minute 22-3/5-second flight using a rubber-powered model aircraft. He received $100—nearly $1,775 in today’s dollars!
Bernard provided the first trophy for the 1923 Nats, which featured the Greek figure Icarus strapping on wings in preparation for flight. In addition to a cash award, Ed received temporary custody of this trophy.
The same Mulvihill Trophy is prominently featured in the entry of AMA’s National Model Aviation Museum. The Mulvihill Trophy and the poster from the St. Louis Air Race were the inspirations for the 100th anniversary logo for the Nats.
If you cannot make it to the IAC, you can cheer on the competitors from home. We’ll provide updates throughout the Nats in social media, in later issues of Model Aviation, and at https://nats.modelaircraft.org. Many members of the EC will be on-site to help kick off the event and have even adjusted the quarterly meeting to be able to attend the close of the Nats. Other notables will also be on-site, including the Mulvihill family during the week of Outdoor Free Flight, July 17-21.
By the time this issue reaches your mailbox, Nats will be moments away from kicking off, but that shouldn’t discourage you from planning to attend. I encourage you to register for the Nats at https://nats.modelaircraft.org/nats/register. All of the SIGs that help run the Nats will happily take you under their wings.
If registration is closed, reach out to AMA staff or the SIG running the event. Depending on the particular event, we might be able to accommodate a walk-on competitor, give you a chance to learn from some of the best, or at worst, give you a front row seat to the 100th anniversary of the Nats.
Even if you don’t walk away with a trophy, we guarantee you’ll have a great time and become a better pilot.
Good luck to all of the competitors, and I hope to see you at the IAC.
