A wise friend of mine told me that his first year arriving at the Nats was filled with anxiety as he did not know where to go or what to do. I have been in that situation many times along with my antacid tablets. So, I am starting this thread as a “Guide to First Timers going to Muncie” in July for your National Championship. I will post new information along the way followed by corrections readers find along the way. After all, I am only the Event Director, not someone who should know exactly what goes on! Right?
Our week for C/L Stunt and Precision Aerobatics is officially July 15-20, 2019. It is held at the AMA HQ in Muncie, Indiana. Before leaving your home to travel, please pre-register. Go online to AMA and register. This makes the administration of our events so much easier and less frantic. Trust me. When you arrive on the site, park your car at AMA HQ and go inside to get your registration packet.
You will here folks refer to the L Pad. I thought that was a cheap hotel! But no, it is the paved area where we fly the Advanced and Open competitions. It is “L” shaped, has more parking than we could ever need, and has a pavilion where we proudly show the PAMPA banner! There is plenty of room there for shelters and observers. There you will also find the folks who do all the tabulating and posting of scores.
Here is an idea of the week for those entering CLPA in the JSA classes (Jr, Sr, and Adult). Please pay particular attention to the schedule on Monday for it is critical. Monday afternoon requires each pilot to pack their airplane and bring it off site for Appearance Judging.
Monday, July 15
Time Event
7:00am CLPA practice on L Pad and grass circles (not being used for other CL stunt events)
12:00 noon: Jr/Sr/Open and Advanced entries close
2:30pm Open and Advanced models are presented for weighing and appearance judging at the “180 Building”, an offsite location close to AMA.[/b]
3:00pm While airplanes are being judged, there is a pilots meeting, same building
4:30pm At the conclusion of the pilots meeting and Appearance Judging, all pilots go to the large room where the judging is done and pilots
vote for their choice for the Concours Award. The trophy is presented as soon as the ballots are counted.
Tuesday, July 16
Time Event
7:00am CLPA practice on L Pad and grass circles (not being used for other CL stunt events)
Wednesday, July 17
Time Event
7:00am CLPA practice on L Pad and grass circles (not being used for other CL stunt events)
8:00am Open and Advanced Qualifications, Rounds 1 and 2, on the L Pad
Thursday, July 18
Time Event
7:00am CLPA practice on L Pad and grass circles (not being used for other CL stunt events)
8:00am Open and Advanced Qualifications, Rounds 3 and 4, on the L Pad
Friday, July 19
Time Event
7:00am CLPA practice on L Pad and grass circles (not being used for other CL stunt events)
8:00am Open Semi Finals, aka Top 20
8:00am Advanced Finals
Saturday, July 20
Time Event
7:00am CLPA practice on L Pad and grass circles (not being used for other CL stunt events)
8:00am Open Finals, Top 5 Pilots. L Pad circle of choice
12:00 noon Walker Cup Fly Off (winners in Jr, Sr, and Open); Presentation of Awards