Model Airplane News is the brand that started it all back in 1929, and it remains the trusted resource for RC aircraft enthusiasts everywhere. Written for the full spectrum of RC airplane, helicopter, and multirotor fliers—from beginners to seasoned pros—Model Airplane News entertains and informs with on-the-flight line event coverage, impressive flight techniques, detailed flight reports, DIY workshop projects, and much more.

THE COMPETITION CONTINUES

Model Airplane News

LOCKHEED MODEL 10 ELECTRA • Mark Jesse, Fort Wayne, Indiana

HOBBY HACKS • HELPFUL READER HINTS

GETTING STARTED IN FPV • BetaFPV makes getting a bird’s-eye-view easier than ever!

BUILDING BENCH & WORKSHOP TIPS

TOP GUN FAVORITE MARK CHAPMAN’S ⅓-SCALE ALBATROS D.VA • When I told Model Airplane News executive editor Debra Cleghorn that I was attending the Top Gun Scale Invitational for the first time, she asked me if I would interview the pilot of one of my favorite planes at the event. As a WW I fan (and a Balsa USA builder), I chose Mark Chapman’s beautifully detailed ⅓-scale Balsa USA Albatros D.Va, flown by Marvin Alvarez in Team Scale.

TOP GUN SCALE INVITATIONAL • THE 32ND YEAR OF EXCELLENCE!

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

EXPERT CLASS • Flying aircraft they built from plans or kits, entrants in this class add scale detail and modify as needed. All airplanes in the Expert class receive a static score and fly four flight rounds. After their lowest flight score is dropped, the average of the rest is added to their static score for a final number. This year, eight pilots competed in this class.

MASTERS CLASS • These contestants do it all: They design, build, engineer, and fly the aircraft with which they compete. This class is static-judged, and the entrants fly four scored flight rounds. After their lowest flight score is deleted, the average is added to their static points for their overall score. Due to the change in venue date, only two contestants were entered in Masters Class this year.

TEAM CLASS • With a designated builder and a designated pilot, who is also allowed to work on the aircraft, the aircraft in the Team category are static-judged. Aircraft fly four scored flight rounds. After their lowest flight score is deleted, the average is added to their static points for their overall score. Three teams competed this year.

UNLIMITED CLASS • This category doesn’t have a “builder of the model” rule, but it does have a single pilot throughout the event. Aircraft are static-judged, and the average of the three best flight rounds (out of four) is added to the static score. All members of the seven teams competing this year wore matching shirts.

X CLASS • The Top Gun X class is for almost ready-to-fly (ARF) models only, either painted in the mold or covered from the manufacturer. Builders are encouraged to add additional paint and markings, but no covering may be removed or replaced. Scale details like hatches, Pitot tubes, and ordnance are allowed. All these models are static-judged, and the average of the three best flight scores (out of four) is added to the static score. This year, five pilots competed in this class.

ELECTRIC DUCTED FAN (EDF) CLASS • This new class introduced at the 2020 Top Gun event is intended for electric-powered jet aircraft. It has the same rules as for the Pro Jet class except it is for “foamie jets” only, and each pilot is awarded 25 static points for showing scale documentation. The fan units are limited to 120mm maximum. To allow for 4-minute flights, only eight maneuvers are judged, including takeoff, traffic pattern, and landing.

PRO-AM PROP CLASS • Pilots in this class must have already placed (twice!) in the top three spots of an AMA competition or in the top 30 percent of a Top Gun field. Each pilot is awarded 25...