AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

Below, both in text and in a PDF file is some NATs Competitor Information.

Your NATs event committee is still putting everything together to ensure an enjoyable National Championship for everyone

Thank You

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

AMA Scale Aerobatic National Championships 27-30 Jun 2011

1. The AMA Scale Aerobatics NATs will be held June 27-30, 2011 at the AMA Site in Muncie Indiana.

2. Entry fees are as follows (if payments are received prior to June 10, 2011): $45 under 15 yrs old, $65 for 15-19, $120.00 for those over the age of 19.

Please note, the entry fees will increase significantly for entries received on or after June 10, 2011. Your entry fee covers the contest and one banquet ticket. Remember the AMA has a cut off for all registrations on June 15, 2011.
a. Please note when filling out the Contest form there are some additional questions to answer:
1) Class
2) Are you planning to participate in the Freestyle Contest?
3) Confirm 2.4, Ham, or 72 (72 will be per AMA Registration)
4) Additional banquet tickets will be available for purchase during the event.$10 (See score runners, Cheryl and Tina)

3. Open practice at both sites starting on Saturday June 25, 2011 until Sunset. Should a contestant arrive after 2pm on Sunday June 26, 2011, the late arriving contestant may go to the head of the practice line for the first flight. Please sign in at the front desk and receive you Contestant’s Packet prior to flying.

4. Flight lines will be announced no later than June 20, 2011 on the IMAC web site under the NATs forum.

5. Pilots Meeting will be held Sunday June 26, 2011 at 6PM.

6. The flight order will be established at the Sunday evening at the Pilots Meeting.

7. A Judge’s meeting will immediately follow the pilots meeting Sunday June 26, 2011. Pilots are welcome to attend.

8. The 2011-2012 AMA Scale Aerobatic Rules SHALL be followed. For questions, refer to the rulebook. The only exception to the 2011-2012 AMA Scale Aerobatic Rules will be the final day drop schedule.

a. Side Force Generators will not be permitted during any flight (including freestyle) during the AMA Scale Aerobatic National Championships.

9. Final Pilot’s Roll Call 7:30AM Monday June 27, 2011. This meeting is MANDATORY for all contestants and event staff. Final Pilots Roll Call time may be adjusted earlier if attendance is higher than expected. If a pilot is a no show, their pin will be pulled from the flight order.

10. The Monday UNKNOWNS will be passed out at the Final Pilot’s Roll Call Monday Morning.

11. The Monday UNKNOWNS will be flown the second [2nd] round.

12. Wheels up Monday June 27, 2011 will be immediately after the Final Pilots Roll Call.

13. DROP Schedule – Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday – SEE APPENDIX 1

14. The Tuesday and Wednesday Unknowns will passed out each evening after all flying is complete Monday and Tuesday; they will be available at both runways and shall be flown the first [1st] round the next day.

15. Unknowns will be flown the first [1st] round each day Tuesday and Wednesday.

16. Wheels up Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings will be 8am with the Unknown Round. Wheels up time may be adjusted earlier if attendance is higher than expected.

17. We are hoping to get in as many known rounds as possible and one unknown each day. Your cooperation by being ready to fly when it is your turn will facilitate more flying. Tuesday June 28, 2011 we will have a better idea of the flight line time lines and a possible schedule modification.

18. There will be two flight lines on each runway; Scale Aerobatics time constraints will be in place and adhered to:
13.1: “The contestant has two (2) minutes to start his/her engine and become airborne.”
The clock will start at the beginning of the 7th maneuver being flown by the preceding pilot.
13.2: “The contestant has one (1) minute from the time the wheels leave the ground during takeoff to enter the aerobatic airspace.”
You may need to enter a holding pattern to allow the preceding pilot to complete their sequence. You will have 1 minute from the time the previous pilot call out of the box to call in the box.

19. Official Flights / Attempts / Notification – 10.1.1 & 10.2.1: “An official flight (round) for the known/unknown program is defined as one (1) sequence. Contestants shall have one attempt to complete the sequence. An attempt begins when the pilot or caller calls ― “In the box” or "Entering." This specific vocal signal is MANDATORY to initiate the attempt. If this vocal declaration is not made the pilot becomes subject to the other standard constraints stipulated in these rules, e.g., time limit for entering, no aerobatics before entering, etc. Once the attempt is made by means of the vocal declaration, judging will begin as soon as the aircraft departs from the wings-level horizontal entry line and enters the first maneuver of the sequence. The horizontal entry line to the first maneuver of a sequence is not judged.”

20. Turn around maneuvers - After Takeoff, in accordance with Competition Regulations 2011-2012,

13.5: “Prior to entering the aerobatic airspace, between sequences, and prior to landing, pilots shall only be allowed to perform the following trim and positioning maneuvers: - Turns; - Half Cubans with only a single ½ roll on the 45 down line; - Reverse Half Cubans with only a single ½ roll on the 45 up line; - Half loops up or down (Immelman or Split S) with only one half roll on entry or exit; - Single half roll to inverted immediately prior to entering the aerobatic airspace for the case in which an inverted entry to the first maneuver is required; - A vertical up or down line with a simple push/pull for entry and exit. A single 1/2 roll is allowed on this vertical line only if required to orient the aircraft properly for entry to the first maneuver. Exceptions to this limitation may only be directed by the CD or line boss in the normal course of safely managing the airspace. Pilots will follow such directions and no penalty will apply. Turnaround maneuvers may not be performed at low altitude or directly in front of the judges. No other aerobatic maneuvers are allowed immediately following the airplane breaking ground except for the Four Minute Freestyle. Any infraction shall result in a penalty of zeroing the round. The intent here is to prevent anything that may be viewed as ―practice‖ and hence give one competitor an advantage over another. Therefore, snaps, spins, point rolls, Humptys, Tailslides, etc, etc.... may NEVER be executed after breaking ground and before entering the sequence, between sequences or after completing the sequence(s) and prior to landing.”
21. The Scorekeeper will have runners to pick up score sheets. Scores will be available for viewing at the scoring booth after the scores have been input and flying is complete for the day. Please do not ask to see your judge’s score sheet or score print outs prior to this time. Request for score sheet printout shall be made on the Sign Up sheet NO LATER than 2pm (1400) each day.

22. Thursday, June 30, 2011, the top 50% in each class will advance to the final day with no less than 10 contestants and no more than 15 contestants in each class. Example – if a class has only 20 participants then the top 10 will move forward to the final day; but, if there is 18 in a class, ½ would be 9, so the top 10 will participate in the final day. But, if there are 36 in a class ½ is 18 so only 15 will move on to Thursday.

23. Wednesday evening at the banquet two [2] UNKNOWNS will be passed out for Thursday’s flights.

24. The finalists will go into the 4th day of competition with the previous three (3) days scores normalized as one day.

25. Thursday’s (finals) flying will consist of an UNKNOWN, a KNOWN two (2) Sequence Round, followed by another UNKNOWN.

a. One (1) Unknown shall be dropped
b. One (1) sequence of the Known will be dropped
c. So One (1) Unknown and One (1) Sequence of the Known will be combined with the previous three day scores to determine the final score.

26. Upon completion of precision aerobatic competition there will be a Freestyle Pilot’s and Judges Meeting. Then the Freestyle will begin.

27. Once all flying is complete, and the scores tallied there will be the awards presentation by the IMAC President.

28. The Unlimited Winner will receive an invitation to the 2012 Clover Creek Invitational as an Invitational contestant. If the winner has already secured an invitation then the invitation will go to 2nd place. If 1st and 2nd have already……………

29. The recipient of the Bennett Cup will be announced for the pilot who has achieved the highest % of possible raw score.

Some more information which some may find helpful. I will update the list as it becomes available.
Concessions will be onsite. (Arranged by AMA)
The Wednesday night banquet will on site at the AMA venue.
It will be hot so please stay hydrated. But, remember in 2009 it was in the mid 40s for much of the contest.
After hours, please feel free to mingle throughout the campus and get to know your fellow pilots.
Please obey all traffic signs while on AMA property.
FOAMIES are welcome

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

I just recieved an updated contestant roster; we have -

13 Unlimited
8 Advanced
2 Intermediate
2 Sportsmand
2 Freestyle

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

I spoke with Yolanda at the AMA today, and -

1st - the fax number she would like you to use is 765 741 0057.

2nd - No Late Fees

3rd - FAX and Telephonic Registration will be accepted, but payment will be required prior to any flight at the AMA site.

4th - On Site Registration will be available up until Noon on Sunday 26 Jun 11. The AMA is scheduled to have someone onsite 8-12noon Sunday. So- NO Registration Cutoff until then.

5th - Scan and email me your registration (put NATs registration in the Subject) and I will fax it for you - [email protected].

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

Its not too late to come to the Best event in the Country!

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

We are 10 days from the Scale Aerobatics National Championship (NATs) and the planning is in the final stages. Your NATs team and IMAC BOD have worked hard to ensure you have a GREAT NATs experience.

A few housekeeping items to be add to the previously posted instructions.

1a - The Pilot order will be drawn for all classes on Sunday evening at the Pilots meeting. Knowing there will be conflicts from the drawing because 2 or more folks will be flying one airplane, callers, to name just a couple; we will need to work out any conflicts within each class. After the Final Pilots call Monday morning the field and pin order is locked until Wednesday evening.

We will drop 3 places each round for both Known and Unknown. If there is 3 or less in a class the drop will be 1 per round. To help please see the attached PDF for the pilot round drop schedule.

Should a contestant need to drop to the end of the line during a round for maintenance, radio problem, etc – once the round is complete the contestant’s pin placement will move back to the original position.

Once again - we will have the pilot’s drawing – we will work out any adjustment to meet the needs of a class. After the final pilot’s roll call the field is locked until Wednesday evening when a new draw will take place for the finalist.

Callers and airplanes being shared between classes will not be taken into consideration.

2a - Based on attendance and availability of judges we will be running the contest on the north runway with two flight lines. We have 5 dedicated judges and 30 plus contestant judges. Utilizing contestant judges will do two things – 1 Allow the dedicated judges to take a break every now and then, and 2 allow for a better judge’s rotation. All classes PLEASE be prepared to judge and or scribe.

3a - Also, attached is a tentative schedule. This schedule is based on the registration data available close of business Friday 17 Jun 11 and is subject to change, but should give you an idea of how the day will proceed.

4a - Registration will be open on site at the AMA Friday and Saturday 7-5pm and 8-12noon Sunday.

5a - The Wednesday evening Banquet will be held on the AMA Contest site next to the museum. We will be serving BBQ Pork & Chicken, bake beans, potato salad, Cole Slaw, Lemon Aid, Tea, and BYOB. Each Pilot will receive a Banquet ticket in their registration packet. Additional tickets will be available throughout the contest for $10 each, see Tina and Cheryl. Please purchase your extra tickets early so we may confirm the head count with the caterer.

Attached in this post on the IMAC are – This message, a tentative NATs schedule based on today’s numbers, and the Pilot Round Drop.

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

Chris Hockaday and Dave Langridge from RDRC have ventured up to the IMAC Nats this week. Chris is reporting regularly with photos, scores, and other bits of info.

He has already posted several pieces of up-to-the minute news from the 2011 IMAC Nats. Go to: http://www.mini-iac.com/ and click on the "Nats 2011 News" tab, or follow the blog that is updated each time he posts with live links to each news piece at :

http://eastrc.blogspot.com/2011/06/c...s-2011-in.html

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

Check it out... A piece Chris wrote got into the AMA Nats News, as well as his pics. A snap of the famous Gecko is in there somewhere, too! You can see this in the .pdf from their site at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/062711.pdf

The AMA Nats News is at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

Chris just uploaded the scores from the end of Day 1, and a batch of photos from today. You can see them by going to www.mini-iac.com and clicking on the "Nats 2011 News" tab.

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

Chris is pumping out info from the IMAC Nats in Muncie, In. Today he uploaded several more pieces remotely, and is working on more from the hotel room right now. You can see it by going to http://www.mini-iac.com/ and click on the "Nats 2011 News" tab, or follow the blog that is updated each time he posts with live links to each news piece at :

http://eastrc.blogspot.com/2011/06/c...s-2011-in.html

The AMA also picked up his work and photos, and posted it in the Tuesday Edition of the AMA Nats News at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/062811.pdf

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

Chris ran hard all day, after a late night session of he and Dave making computer repairs from the hotel room in Muncie. Today, he uploaded several articles, live from the IMAC Nats. They include pieces titled:

- More Photos from Tuesday
- Not a cloud in the sky
- Wednesday Morning Pics
- The National Model Aviation Museum
- A story of two airplanes
- Wednesday Afternoon Pics

You can see the latest by going to: http://www.mini-iac.com and click on the "Nats 2011 News" tab, or follow the blog that is updated each time he posts with live links to each news piece at :

http://eastrc.blogspot.com/2011/06/c...s-2011-in.html

Another piece Chris wrote got into the AMA Nats News today, including his photos. You can see this in the .pdf from their site at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/062911.pdf

The AMA Nats News is at:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

Chris and Dave wrapped up the IMAC Nats coverage today in style. Chris uploaded several more articles, live from the IMAC Nats. They include pieces titled:

- Wednesday evening points standings...
- Wednesday night Banquet
- Thursday Morning Photos…
- Freestyle is right around the corner…
- FREESTYLE!
- And here are our winners!

You can see the latest by going to: http://www.mini-iac.com and click on the "Nats 2011 News" tab, or follow the blog that is updated each time he posts with live links to each news piece at :

http://eastrc.blogspot.com/2011/06/c...s-2011-in.html

A final piece Chris wrote got into the AMA Nats News again today, including his and Dave Langridge's photos. You can see this in the .pdf from their site at:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/63011.pdf

The AMA Nats News is at:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

Chris and Dave Langridge are finally back from the Nats in Muncie. They reported on loads of killer precision flying, and if some of you haven't seen any of it yet, you can go to the IMAC website at: http://www.mini-iac.com and click on the "Nats 2011 News" tab, or follow the blog that is updated each time he posted with live links to each news piece at :

http://eastrc.blogspot.com/2011/06/c...s-2011-in.html

The AMA used one last piece from Chris and Dave in their posting of the AMA Nats News on the AMA website at:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/070111.pdf

It's down near the bottom of that page. You can see all of the AMA Nats News (including the pylon, control line, scale, and other events going on now at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats/natsnews.aspx

RE: AMA Scale Aerobatics National Championships
 

Dave, Thank You for keeping everyone here on RCU updated. Chris did one heck of a job. Thank You Chris!!!!!!!