A record number of world championships are taking place this summer, providing US teams a chance to prove they can compete against the “best of the best” that the world has to offer.  

At the AMA International Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie, Indiana, the FAI F3N World Championships for Helicopters concluded last week, with the US team taking first for World Championship Team competition, which included Tom Dooley, Nick Maxwell, Nob Muraki, Mike Goza, Brian Byrdsong, Jamie Robertson, and Cade Giripompa. Nick Maxwell placed second and Jamie Robertson placed third in individual F3N awards. 

In the Netherlands, the FAI F3DE World Championships for Pylon Racing Model Aircraft took place earlier this month, with several notable achievements for Team USA, including first place for Team competition.  

In individual F3D, second place went to Randy Bridge and third place went to Gino Del Ponte. Al Hemken came in fourth.  

In F3E Team, the US came in fifth place. In Individual, Charles Brown, Trey Witte, and Otto Dienffenbach all competed.  

Congratulations to both US teams and their supporters! 

August is a busy time for other world championships with US participation, including the FAI F1ABC World Championships for Free Flight Model Aircraft in France beginning August 12, and F5J World Championships for Electric Powered Thermal Duration Gliders, in Bulgaria starting August 13.  

We wish good luck to both teams and a safe return home. These world championships are scheduled to conclude August 19 and we hope to report results soon. 

Also on August 19, the FAI F3A World Championship for Aerobatic Model Aircraft is set to begin in Australia. We wish the US contingent safe travels and best of luck in the competition! 

AMA wishes the US FAI F1E Free Flight (FF) and FAI F3D Pylon teams safe travels and good luck, as they head to Romania and the Netherlands, respectively. Team USA for FF is: Robert Sifleet, K. Peter Brocks, and Geralyn Jones. Team USA for Pylon is: William Neamura, Paul Gibeault, Gino Delponte, Randy Bridge, AJ Hemken, Leo Nordell, Trey Witte, Charles Brown, Otto Dieffenbach, and Matt Fehling.

Model Aviation world championships provide our members with the opportunity to compete against the very best from other countries, travel, make new friends and establish lasting relationships with others passionate about the sport.