Control Line Precision Aerobatics
Beautiful, large aircraft perform a prescribed stunt pattern before a panel of judges. Flights are scored by smoothness and accuracy of maneuvers, with a bonus for aircraft appearance. There are no design restrictions, but most models typically use .35-.60-size engines, with wingspans reaching more than 5 feet. Precision Aerobatics is divided into skill classes for beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert fliers. Two related events are Old-Time Stunt, using pre-1953 Stunt pattern and aircraft designs, and Classic Stunt, using aerobatics and aircraft designs that are more than 25 years old.
Nats News
Mike Palko's Mustang waiting its turn
On Wednesday, the contestants were greeted with cloudy skies, light winds and mid to upper 60s for temperatures. The winds, once the official flights started, stayed in one direction. So in the words of Sergeant Shultz from Hogan's Heroes, the day was Be-u-ti-ful!
Wesley Smith with his Nostalgia 30 model
On Monday, July 7th, there were three events being held: Old Time Stunt (OTS), Classic, and Nostalgia 30.
The top five Intermediate competitors posed for a photo.
Beginner and Intermediate classes of Control Line Precision Aerobatics were flown on Sunday July 6th. There were two entrants in Beginner with seven in Intermediate. These events were flown on the grass circles. Grass is much more forgiving, than asphalt in case of an accident.
Simply put, Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics is an event where a builder of a model airplane is judged not only on how well they build their plane, but also how well they fly it in a prescribed flight pattern involving aerobatics.
Brett Buck during his second flight.
Again, that annoying rooster crowed, waking up the sun. Why does it always have to crow so early? So, now that the sun is starting to wake again, it is starting to illuminate the words on the history page for the August 8 Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics events.
The outdoor parking garage. This is where many airplanes are put when waiting for their turn to be put in the pits and be readied for flight.
As a new day breaks and the rooster crows, the sun starts to illuminate the words on the history page of August 6 at the 2024 AMA Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics Nats.
Mike Palko’s P-51.
As the sun rises and illuminates the words on the pages for August 5, I see a very busy schedule today.
The day starts out at 7 a.m. with practice on the L-pad. The L-pad will be open for most of the day for practice. However, on the grass circles, there are several unofficial events starting up. Today, we have Old-Time Stunt (OTS), Classic, and Nostalgia 30 events being run.
The top five pilots from 2022 (L-R): Paul Walker, Derek Barry, Kenny Stevens, and Todd Lee. Kneeling is Champion Orestes Hernandez.
I have heard that Control Line (CL) Precision Aerobatics is like a dance between the partners of pilot and airplane. When they are in sync, it can be a thing of beauty to see as an airplane is put through the pattern. I have to believe that that is quite true.
Today is the day that we have been waiting for all week—we got to see who won the 2023 Nationals.
Today was the top 20 day for the Open class and the finals day for the Advanced class. The day started out cool with a light breeze. God's curtains again obscured the big, bright lightbulb in the sky. Every once in a while, it would peek out but otherwise it was hidden. Winds stayed light throughout the morning, making for some great weather to fly in.
