Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Well I can't stop thinking about going to NATS so here's the thread and here's [link=http://www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats.aspx]the webpage[/link].

I was thumbing through the AMA and NSRCA pages and thought it was pretty cool to already recognize a lot of the names, some of which I've even met and flow with. I saw that last year there were 10 competitors in the intermediate class which is really encouraging - enough for some good competition, but not enough to be overwhelming on the first trip out.

I'm doing my best to concentrate on school and stop spending ca$h in preparation for both the trip to NATS and the practice meets leading up to it. There's a meet in NJ and a judging seminar in Mass that I'm REALLY hoping to go to though they fall right near the end of the semester and finals. Hopefully with some proper planning I can get there with good spirits and get started on setting up and trimming my plane (I have yet to fly a properly trimmed plane AND fly with any mixes, so this should be an exciting summer!)

I heard a little about the D1 caravan heading out, and even that sounds like a total blast. John Pavlic, Scott Smith, Ed Alt, and Rick Wallace were all really great to me last summer in my first season of flying planes and I'm psyched to spend some quality flying time with those guys. I have a flying buddy who's a board member of a club in Rochester with TWO fields, as well as one of my best friends from home living 2.5 hours from Muncie, so the entire trip should be a lot of fun.

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Well its still early in sure the competitors will more than double by the time it rolls around

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Yeah, I'm excited about going to the NATS for the first time too. It's been a long 10 year journey for me but looks like I'll finaly get to go this year.

Cheers

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

You guys will have a blast, it is a great time shared by all. A week of flying, friends, food = A good time.

See you there.

Matthew L.

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

man I am counting down the days to the next NATS. last year was my first ever NATS and they sure do take care of you down there at site 4. so whos bringing the foamies...lol

Chris Odom
Team Black Magic
Team Dragon Fire
CAA

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

No foamie [&o]

So what's the deal on flying sites? How many are there, and how do they break it up?

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Pretty sure Brandon has moved up to masters... you guys on Site 4 might have to do some traveling for the good stuff this year :P

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

thats it! looks like ill be skipping advance and moving up to masters. that food is just too good. and the homemade ice cream. OMG!!!!!! Tim is the man.


Chris Odom
Team Black Magic
Team Dragon Fire
CAA

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Just to double check: I'm currently flying Sportsmans. The Intermediate routine at NATS will be the same routine that the guys fly all season long, correct?

I'm going to try to make it my goal to make NATS the time when I make the official switch from Sportsmans to intermediate. Will be a big challenge, but if I get a lot of meets in before hand it might be obtainable.

If that's not the case, it is OK to fly intermediate when I come back IIRC.

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

You can fly intermediate at the Nats and go back to Sportsman locally...it is an exception to the "can't move back" rule.

G

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

I just heard something about 'qualifying' for nationals. Does one have to qualify?

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

You qualify by paying your entry fee and showing up and having a good time. Never need to qualify to attend.

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Joe,
Since this is your first NATs you do in fact need to pass the qualification process. This will be handled by the D1 crew on your way out. By the time you make it to Muncie - you'll be fully "qualified".

OK, here's the way it works: We'll figure out a place for you to meet up with us (join the D1 caravan). We usually stop in VA on the first night, then we get up and drive to a secret practice place the next day. We fly there for a while and then head to Muncie. We usually arrive in Muncie pretty late but don't worry, most of the bars are still open! We'll give you some hotel info - the place where most of us stayed at last year was pretty nice. It has an indoor pool and nice rooms. The rate is VERY good if you tell them that you're an AMA memener and you're going to the NAT's. I don't have AAA but some guys do and I think you get an additional discount with that.

As far as fields / flying at the NAT's: Intermediate and Advanced will be on Site 4. It's a grass field. The Masters and FAI guys are on sites 1 & 3. These are paved. It gets really hot down there. You fly 2 rounds each day. I think Intermediate is flying in the morning. If you fly in the morning you'll be finished by noon. The next class will fly in the afternoon. If you're not judging anywhere you can stay and watch or drive down to the other sites to watch the Masters and FAI guys. Or you can leave and go back to your room. Don't worry, you'll be given a big package of information when you sign in at the farmhouse. If you have any questions while you're there, just ask.

John Pavlick
Team Black Magic, Tech-Aero Designs

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Joe,

If you have Google Earth fly to 40° 9'58.46"N 85°19'10.43"W That will put you on site 3. Site 1 is about 600 yds N NE. Site 4 is about 1,000 yds S SW (You'll see a full size strip just south of the AMA property)
(I have no idea where site 2 is!)

Main entrance (and AMA headquarters, museum) are to the north

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Oh...and for those guys flying on site 3 last year and overflying the site 1 parking lot...400 Meters![X(]

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Well that's cool, thanks. I was under the impression they were pretty far away from each other.

I guess one of these days I need to start looking at the intermediate routine...

I also think this trip/event is just about to justify a new monitor purchase so I can use my sim on something other than a 14" laptop screen.

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

..delete..sry

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Brett, Chris, and also others who enjoyed the food last yr.... looks like masters site will be dinning like us southern folks for a week :). Brett, this just means you won't have to go ALL the way to site4 for food...lol which means you wont miss out on ALL the homemade ice cream. Chris, just come up to our site b/w rounds like brett had to...we'll get a plate for ya (or just move up...again haha) Overall, I cant wait for the nats, it's a promised adventure... whether food related (health dept. - long story) or the flying.

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

was looking for the nats webpage. linked above.

Bump!

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Speaking of "the secret practice place" near W. VA, you better make sure you are flying on 2.4, otherwise you wait until you arrive in Muncie to practice. No 72 MHz allowed at that field in SE Ohio any longer!

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Ed,

Speaking of that place:) I will be there this year...I've already contacted the Alderman's to make sure everything is OK. Get in touch with me closer to the NATS and I'll verify everything is still fine,

Arch

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Woot! Return of the chicken dude!!!

I'll hopefully be on 2.4 by then.

-Mike

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Mike,

I agree..I'm basically driving an extra 4 hours to St. C just to get the chicken...will probably have to hit DiCarlo's pizza as well.

Arch

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

What is the date of the contest?

July 13-17.

I don't know how I manage to keep missing the "nats" button:eek:

RE: Here it is...the NATS 2K9 thread!!
 

Not going to make it[:@][&o]