District III

District III

Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia

If you have been following AMA social media and Model Aviation magazine, you have no doubt noticed that 2023 is the 100th anniversary of the first AMA Nats. The first Nats was in 1923, as a part of the St. Louis International Air Races, and the vice president of the NAA, Bernard Mulvihill, wanted to include model aviation in this full-scale event.

The model event was rubber-powered Free Flight, and the winner of the first Nats won a trophy that would be presented annually to the winner of the Nats. It was called the Mulvihill Trophy. This event and trophy continue today.

I flew in 11 previous Nats, and the 100th anniversary is a big deal. I wanted to be a part of it, so I entered Fun Scale Expert with my 1/4-scale Piper Cherokee. Fun Scale allows any Scale aircraft (e.g., kit-built models and ARFs) and requires you to provide a picture of the full-scale aircraft. The Fun Scale class is popular, highly competitive, and lives up to its name!

Ralph White standing beside a Waco model aircraft — Ralph White, 81 years young, flew his Waco in Fun Scale.

After the dust settled, I placed second in Fun Scale, Division I. Considering my goal was to compete and enjoy the 100th anniversary of the Nats, I would say that I accomplished my mission.

Keith Numbers with a Royal Air Force FE8 model aircraft — Keith Numbers, of Dayton OH, won first place in Designer Scale with his magnificent Royal Air Force FE8.

If you want a more detailed report of all of the Nats events, visit https://nats.modelaircraft.org.

Three men standing behind a large model aircraft — Laser designer Wayne Ulrey (R) attended my TOC Laser induction into the National Model Aviation Museum. Museum Director Michael Smith is on my left.

I was saddened to learn of the passing of District III model aviation innovator and good friend Wayne Ulrey, of Springfield, Ohio. Wayne was a pioneer in aircraft design and innovative building techniques. He designed and built an RC Aerobatics (Pattern) airplane called the EU-1 that was larger and lighter than Pattern aircraft of the day.

Wayne designed a series of RC Scale Aerobatics aircraft of the Laser 200, and in 1982, at the Tournament of Champions (TOC), Wayne’s Laser design was flown by 10 of the 20 contestants. Wayne continued to innovate with many more TOC designs and Pattern aircraft. His model designs were flown in many prestigious world competitions. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Wayne’s wife and family.

Until next month, stay safe and fly safely.

Adam Grubb standing behind a large Wilga model aircraft — Adam Grubb, of Lancaster OH, with his huge Wilga model.