The 1999 National Aeromodeling Championships
By Sheila Ames
Overview
The 73rd National Aeromodeling Championships (the Nats) is history. The Nats is the contest that many builders and pilots aspire to win and work toward during the other 11 months of the year. Much time, money, and effort is put into preparation for this event.
"We had an extremely good Nats," said AMA president Dave Brown.
Events and participation
- Indoor Free Flight Nationals: June 2–6 at the Johnson City, TN Mini-Dome on the campus of East Tennessee State University.
- Outdoor events: July 9–August 5 at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, IN — the fourth Nationals held at the Muncie site.
- Competition categories: Free Flight, Control Line, and Radio Control.
- Total events: 104 official (and several unofficial) events across roughly a month of continuous competition.
- Attendance:
- Approximately 100 competitors in the Indoor events.
- Approximately 1,000 participants in the Outdoor events.
- Approximately 130 registered volunteers.
- Overall attendance was higher than last year — more than 1,300 people in attendance.
"The Nats is a great happening," said Brown. "The people—the competitors and officials—make the Nats what it is."
Special Interest Groups and management
This was another year in which the 20 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) took charge of their respective events at the Nats. They put in many hours and extra effort to administer their categories and make sure things ran smoothly.
"The Nats went really well," said AMA Technical Director Steve Kaluf. "The SIGs have really learned how to run the events. There were few, if any, problems, and the weather was great."
Ron Morgan returned as Nats Manager after medical problems last year. He had quadruple-bypass surgery and was unable to attend the Nats in 1998.
"Ron's in pretty good shape," said Kaluf. "His wife Jane came too; she was a big help at Nats HQ."
Kaluf and his Competitions Department staff put in long hours leading up to and during the Nats. Kaluf said that next year he'd like to replicate this year's performance.
"It's a great disservice to people who do the work of Nats management not to recognize them," said Brown.
Site improvements
An important factor in putting on a major flying event is the facility, and the Muncie site continues to improve. Since the 1998 Nats, a great deal of work was done to enhance the rural 1,000-acre site:
- Roads winding through the site were paved, reducing the airborne dust that was much complained about last year.
- A water line was installed (though it was not activated until after the Nats).
- The grass flying areas were upgraded.
"The site has continued to improve," said Kaluf. "Those who fly here go tell others how good a site there is at Muncie, which prompts them to come and give it a try."
"There were supportive comments from competitors regarding the site; they appreciate the effort that goes into maintaining it," said Brown. "The maintenance crew does a superb job."
Highlights and team selection
"In general, things ran as hoped at the Nats, much to everyone's relief," said Kaluf. "It went pretty much as it should have. It's when we have standout situations that there's usually a problem."
"One thing that was unique was that CL Scale (F2D) and CL Combat (F4B) team selection finals were held during the Nationals," said Brown. That brought more people to the Nats.
Those who qualified for the F2D team will attend the 2000 world championships in France, and the F4B team will travel to Switzerland to compete.
"It worked out extremely well—but I wouldn't recommend that for all of the categories," said Brown.
Looking ahead to 2000
For the 2000 Nats, the plan is to "continue business as usual," said Kaluf. "I feel we've gotten it down to a science."
There will be a meeting in October to begin planning the 2000 Nationals. Entry forms will be sent to those who have participated in the last two Nats. If you don't receive an entry blank but would like to participate, contact the Competitions Department at AMA HQ.
"Everyone come back," said Brown.
Hope to see you next year in Muncie.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
