Author: F. McMillan
Edition: Model Aviation - 1998/12
Page Numbers: 106, 107, 108, 109, 115
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CONTROL LINE AEROBATICS

Frank McMillan 12106 Gunter Grove, San Antonio TX 78231

Nationals overview

This was one of the best Nationals (Nats) ever. The quality of flying was superb; the number of entries was up; the Intermediate skill class was flown for the first time; and the weather was wonderful. The International Aeromodeling Center (Muncie, IN) is one of the premier sites in the world, and through the constant effort of the AMA staff continues to improve. However, the real story of any Nats is the people and their progress in the competition.

For the U.S. F2B (Control Line Aerobatics) team, the Nats served as a showcase and a tune‑up for the upcoming World Championships in Kiev, Russia. Early in the week the team, including junior member Dondi Garrison, showed well; alternate Ted Fancher also flew very well.

The Walker Cup—the symbol of the national championship, contested among the Junior, Senior, and Open winners—was the last scheduled event and the highlight of the week. Extraordinary pilots and hard work met near‑calm conditions that tested both fliers and equipment. Paul Walker made history by winning his eighth Open national championship, flying the latest iteration of his famous Impact. He was seriously challenged by the other Walker Cup finalists and laid down a crisp final flight for the victory.

PAMPA Beginner & Intermediate

With the availability of improved grass circles, several PAMPA (Precision Aerobatics Model Pilots Association) skill classes were held at the venue. Beginner and Intermediate were rescheduled to Monday (the same day as Classic and Old‑Time), making July 13 a busy, fun day.

  • Beginner (directed by Allen Brickhaus): the emphasis was on fun and learning, with coaching in the circle and lifelong friendships formed.
  • Junior highlights:
  • Sean McEntee — winner
  • Zack Stan — bested Brian Hancock (coached by his dad Randy Hancock)
  • Krystal King — strong performance toward AMA national junior title (family brought more than 60 models)
  • Christina Saunders — only Senior entrant, flew well
  • Open Beginner:
  • Don Huff — winner (flying a Brodak Tanager design)
  • Paul Guthrie — second
  • Robert Maxwell — third
  • Notes: Several senior fliers in their 60s attended the Nats for the first time and shared memories (notably Clyde Richey and Jeff Kemp).
  • Intermediate (inaugural event; thanks to sponsors John and Buzz Brodak; event organizers Tom Morris and Rich Peabody):
  • Format mirrored Advanced and Open: elimination rounds with a Top‑10 flyoff for final placing.
  • Top placings:
  1. Dorin Morosanu — winner (was sponsored to stay and entered Advanced)
  2. John Benzing (England)
  3. Larry Giles
  4. Paul Winter (England)
  • International note: John Benzing flew a Listo Pad 202 (Russian take‑apart), illustrating European convenience for international competition.
  • Dorin Morosanu was sponsored to remain at the Nats (collection by Bert and Walt Brownell) and later flew an Intrepid with an O.S. .46VF on pipe to make the Advanced Top 20.
  • Intermediate awards:
  • Best Junior: Kevin Stewart (his Profile Oriental also won Best Classic‑eligible model)
  • Best Brodak kit and best performance by an OTS design: Walt Moore
  • Best Profile flight: Keith Bryant
  • Appearance awards (three): Bill Mazzoni — Best Traditional Finish, Judges' Choice, and Pilots' Choice

Old Time & Classic

  • Old Time (run by Gene Martine; roots in the Garden State Circle Burners and John Miske):
  • Winner: Charles Reeves — flew a DeBolt Stuntwagon 60 with a Fox .59
  • Second: Roger Wildman — Barnstormer (awarded the Spirit of '52)
  • Third: Lew Woolard
  • Best Appearing: John Saunders — elegant Yates Dragon
  • Pre‑event mishaps: Bill Rich had a leadout break totaling his #1 airplane; Bob Baron folded a wing; Gerry Phelps' lines locked up, crashing a gorgeous SV‑12.
  • Classic (showcasing pre‑1970 designs, mostly .35 size):
  • Don McClave (1994 winner) flew a Dee Rice‑design Oriental.
  • Bob Whitely — winner (his '35 Shark / "Mini Mako"); this was his second consecutive and fourth Classic victory.
  • Third: Tom Morris — Cavalier with a Fox .35
  • Other notable entries: Jim Lee — Gee Bee with Silver Fox .40; Dave Cook — '52 Nobler with Fox .35 (known for "flying backwards")
  • Concours D'Elegance: Jack Sunderland — 1967 Hawker Hunter
  • Thanks to Randy Smith for support in providing awards.

Advanced

From its advent, Advanced has paralleled Open in format and competitive spirit. Roughly 40 entries competed in both Advanced and Open, and the competition was extremely close.

  • Advanced results:
  1. John Sunderland — flying the recently published Chevelle (worked on design with his dad)
  2. Steve Starr
  3. Brian Kieffer — Intrepid powered by a PA .61 (noted for polished flying and style)
  4. Allen Goff — SV‑11
  • Jack Sunderland (John's dad) flew an identical Chevelle to 17th place.
  • Dennis Choate finished very close behind Allen Goff.
  • Junior & Senior highlights:
  • Junior: Kevin Stewart edged Robert Gruber by slightly more than a point — fierce competition among the youngsters.
  • Senior: Dondi Garrison (junior F2B team member) and Brian Kieffer dueled; Dondi put in a great second flight to take the championship.

Open and the Walker Cup

Open qualification rounds (Wednesday and Thursday) are difficult: different judges each day and no throwaways for qualifying. The cut to the final 20 often comes down to a point or two.

  • Notable qualifiers who missed the cut: Dave Hemstrought, Stan Powell, Dan Banjoick, Gerry Phelps. Don Melanson overran on a would‑have‑been qualifying flight.
  • Conditions and setups: Unlike some past years where competitors chased more power to "drive" through maneuvers, this Nats featured generally mild weather with plenty of power. Many competitors detuned (less nitro, more head clearance, pitch changes) to optimize performance. Top models and pilots were on their game with performance as good as ever.
  • Top 20 Open finals (two flights, no throwaways; appearance points count twice):
  • The finals were extremely hard‑fought; places nine through 14 were covered by only 10 points.
  • Notable final placings:
  • 1. Paul Walker — Open national champion (eighth title), flew a crisp final flight to secure victory
  • 2. Bill Weaver
  • 3. Ted Fancher
  • 4. David Fitzgerald — was within reach but flamed out on his last flight
  • 5. Windy Urtnowski — Concours winner, flew a Seafire on an ST .60
  • 7. Bob Whitely — new Royal Flush design with an anhedral stab
  • 8. Bill Suarez — Prussian Blue with an ST .60
  • 9. Bill Rich — worked hard after losing his first model
  • 10. Bill Byles — consistent throughout the week
  • The championship was a shootout: the top four (Paul, Bill Weaver, Ted Fancher, and David Fitzgerald) were within a point going into the last flight.

Thanks and acknowledgments

This great Nats is testimony to the many workers who did their jobs well. It would take half of this column to recognize everyone, but special thanks go to:

  • Judges and leadership:
  • Head Judge: Gary McClellan
  • Director: Warren Tihart
  • Assistant: Dave Cook
  • Computer graphics: Lucky Pyatt
  • Tabulators and support staff:
  • Shureen Fancher
  • Lila Lee
  • Cathy Fitzgerald
  • Pit boss:
  • Woody Midgley

Thank you all for the dedication and integrity you brought to the event. Till next time.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.