CONTROL LINE AEROBATICS
2024 AMA CL AEROBATICS NATS
By Joe Daly | stunt38060@gmail.com
EACH YEAR, a dedicated group of Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics pilots travels to Muncie, Indiana, to compete at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) for the Nats, one of the most prestigious events in the sport. This year’s competition was particularly special because it coincided with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) F2 World Championships for CL Model Aircraft, which was held immediately after the CL Aerobatics Nats. The F2 World Championships hadn’t been hosted in the US since 2004, when it also took place at the IAC, making this a significant and eagerly anticipated event.
Because of the scheduling of the World Championships, the CL Nats were pushed back by two weeks, with events kicking off the first week of August. This change gave competitors additional time to prepare and practice, many of whom took full advantage of fine-tuning their routines and aircraft for the big stage.
The Nats was once again expertly organized by John Paris and Michelle Lee, who were at the helm for the third consecutive year. Their efforts ensured a smooth and well-run event—a testament to their experience and dedication. The weather this year cooperated beautifully, with near-perfect conditions throughout the week. Only one afternoon saw slightly stronger wind, but even then, it wasn’t disruptive enough to significantly impact the flights.
The condensed schedule, shortened by a day to accommodate the upcoming World Championships, began on Sunday with unofficial events for both the Beginner and Intermediate categories. These were held on the grass circles, providing a relaxed environment to kick off the week’s activities. The
Intermediate winner was Angstrom Eberenz, and in the Beginner category, Brendan Eberenz emerged victorious.
Monday’s events included Classic, Nostalgia 30 (N-30), and Old-Time Stunt (OTS) competitions, all of which took place a day earlier than usual. Because appearance judging was held that afternoon, those events ran a modified second round for the top 10 after the first round. Joe Gilbert took first in Classic and OTS! The winner of N-30 was Darrell Harvin.
Appearance judging took place at the iconic 180 Building, a setting fondly remembered by many competitors. There was a sense of nostalgia in the air as the beautifully crafted model airplanes were lined up on the gym floor to await evaluation. The judges assessed each airplane for craftsmanship, while the pilots gathered for a meeting and the flight order draw. This year, the field boasted many stunning aircraft, and the coveted Concours d’Elegance award was claimed by Jim Aron for his beautiful Systema 3.
The qualifying rounds for the Open and Advanced categories took place on Tuesday and Wednesday as competitors vied for spots in the top 20. The goal was to secure a place in the finals, with the weather continuing to be kind overall despite some breezy conditions on Wednesday. Still, the wind was manageable, and it added a layer of challenge that the pilots handled admirably.
CONTROL LINE AEROBATICS
2024 Advanced Nats champion. Second place went to Page Peterson, and third place went to Bruce Jennings.
Friday marked the climax of the Nats with the Open top five finals. The Junior, Senior, and Walker Cup events also took center stage. The weather remained favorable, although it was slightly windier than earlier in the week. The steady breeze posed a little challenge, but the pilots adapted to showcase their talents.
In the Senior category, there was only one competitor. Gabe Alimov secured the title of Senior Nats champion. In the Junior category, Angstrom earned the title of Junior Nats champion.
The highlight of the day was the Open Nats championship and the Walker Cup final, where the best of the best went head-to-head. Orestes delivered a masterful performance on his last flight, securing his fifth Walker Cup victory. The competition among the top five was fierce, with Todd taking second place, followed by David, Derek, and Paul rounding out the finalists.
The Nats would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make the event a reality. Their contributions, from judging and tabulating scores to assisting with event logistics, were invaluable. A special thank-you goes to John and Michelle for their leadership, as well as to the event directors, assistants, runners, and the Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association (PAMPA) president for their dedication. The time and effort that these individuals put in, often at great personal sacrifice, are what make the Nats a success year after year.
For more coverage on the Nats and F2 World Championships, visit the PAMPA Facebook page. There is a lot of live coverage and interviews from these events!
Thursday was a crucial day, known as the top 20 day in the Open category. Competitors faced the high-pressure task of delivering two flawless flights, with no opportunity to discard a poor performance. The stakes were high because these flights determined who would advance to the top five. The intensity of the competition was palpable, with each pilot striving to execute their routines with precision and artistry.
After 40 flights, the top five finalists were decided: David Fitzgerald, Orestes Hernandez, Paul Walker, Derek Berry, and Todd Lee. This year’s rookie of the year was Tim Just.
In the Advanced category, the finals were also held on Thursday, culminating with Rick Campbell being crowned as the 2024 Advanced Nats champion. Second place went to Page Peterson, and third place went to Bruce Jennings.
SOURCES:
PAMPA
www.pampacl.org
www.facebook.com/pampacl
FAI F2 World Championships for CL Model Aircraft
www.2024clwc.org
AMA Nats
https://nats.modelaircraft.org
