Introduction to RC Scale Aero-
Modeling Video
An Example of a Scale Routine

 Maneuvers; Each of the maneuvers are followed
by a rectangular traffic pattern except for reverse maneuvers.
1-Take-off, 2-Fly-Past, 3-Loop, 4-Figure 8,
5-Stall Turn, 6-Descending Circle, 7-Procedure
Turn, 8-Split-S , 9-Landing, 10 Realism.

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​MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Earl Aune:
A view from a Scale Modeler
By: Earl J. Aune, U.S. Scale Masters National Chairman (retired)
 The wonder of flight has always fascinated me. As a kid growing up in Las Vegas near Nellis Air Force Base, the air shows held in the fall were spectacular. One year an impressive F-86 formation flyby dropped napalm right in front of our Cub Scout troop! Also, the Thunderbirds show team performed their magic and we got to see (and touch) the original fastest plane in the world X-15 rocket plane.
 So began my quest to fly. I saved my allowance and started building just about every plastic model available. My Dad made me a shelf near the ceiling that went all around my bedroom and it was full of plastic models of ships, cars and airplanes.
But these didn’t fly.  I spent a lot of time reading stories about Spitfires and purchased a Gillows “stick & tissue” model of a Spitfire and, it turned out pretty good. The rubber band motor flew it for only seconds and I knew it needed an engine. Saved up for a Cox .020 Babee Bee and the free flight was awesome and I was hooked.
Many years later, I’m flying this Jemco P-51 at the Mountain View High School football field and this guy shows up to watch and mentions that there was a scale contest at Delta Park the coming weekend and he suggested I should try it out. So, I did and won 1st place! So, Dave Rawlings is the guy who introduced me to scale model competition and, I haven’t been the same since 😊
 After competing in several U.S. Scale Masters qualifier events Josie and I volunteered to be the Contest Director for the Evergreen Scale Rally that Jerry Holcomb started back in 1988 at Lenhardt’s airpark in Hubbard Oregon. This went on for 9 years and then we had to move the venue to Grant Sharp’s field in Molalla as hangar construction began at Lenhardt’s.
In 1997, Harris Lee (National Chairman of the U.S. Scale Masters Association) asked Josie and I if we could take on the Championships for him until his cancer treatments were completed. So, we said yes and worked with Terry Nitch in Dayton Ohio for the 1998 U.S. Scale Masters Championships which, turned out very good. Harris’s health turned for the worse and he sadly passed away in April 1998. So, for 9 years Josie and I ran the Masters. We organized the 23 qualifiers across the nation and sent out the qualification notices for the top 30% winners for each event, raised money and prizes, wrote and sent out quarterly newsletters, it was a busy time.
 Many of you know me by the black Nightfighter F4U-5N Corsair with folding wings. After watching about every episode of Baa Baa Black Sheep, I found there is something about the way a Corsair flies that captivated my interest. Jerry Bates developed a very scale Corsair 5N and I worked with him to perfect the plans. He drew and I built and the first one off the plans flew great. It’s a long story for another time that would explain why I’m in the final stages of the third Jerry Bates Corsair and if all goes well, planning on bringing it to the next NWSAM event in Wenatchee this fall.
 A big Thank You to Mike and Terri Ingram for their continued work to keep scale competition alive and well. The NW SAM event has become one of the nation’s Best of the Best.
 
See you on the flight line 😊
Earl
 
Earl J. Aune
U.S. Scale Masters National Chairman (retired)

 

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​To view past Member Spotlight Biographies, see our Member Spotlight Archive Page in the menu under Membership/Member Spotlight.

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO  DONATE TO NWSAM?
If you would like to donate to NWSAM, please click on the donate button below. Every donation helps to support all of the activities required to keep Scale Aero Modelling alive and growing!

UPDATES: 
The 2025 NWSAM Competition Guide is now available below!


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Note: Certification requirements have changed for Canada/U.S. RC events:
If you are Canadian flying in the U.S. check www.modelaircraft.org
If you are an AMA member flying in Canada
check www.maac.ca/en
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2024 Event Supporters:  Horizon Hobbies, Dynamic Balsa, RTL Fasteners, AMA, Balsa USA, Bigfoot Hobbies, D's Hobbies in Bend, OR, Desert Aircraft, Du-Bro, Ernst Mfg, House of Balsa, Micro Fasteners, RC Battery and Dave Rawlings, Jeff Stinson, Mike Ingram, Gene LaFond, Scott Enochs, Gale Vasquez,
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2025 Competition Guide 
2025 Competition Guide changes
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2025 Eligibility Scores
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2024 NWSAM SCALE CHAMPIONS
Congratulations!!
Pro-AM Sportsman - Justin Tobin
Pro-AM Pro - ​Tom Rainwater
Pro-AM - Unlimited - Randy Hansen
Advanced - Phil Tallman
Team - R. Smitthisler and R. Hansen 
Expert - Gene LaFond
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2024 BEST IN THE WEST RC SCALE EVENT
Final Results

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Partnered with National Association of Scale Aeromodelers & U.S. Scale Masters

Our Mission
The NWSAM exist to promote and provide support, resources/information for radio controlled scale aero-modellers, judges and event organizers for their success at any Local, National or World Scale Aero-Modelling event.

        " The forum is about Learning, Fun and Sportsmanship while providing the opportunity to advance to competition."

Scale Aero-Modeling events provide a great "social venue" to meet people who share the common interest of building and flying scale airplanes. This is the biggest benefit you will receive when participating with enthusiasts at Scale Events nationally and internationally. Participating in scale events creates more purpose for improving your building and flying skills. Participation is easy as the program is graduated; designed to progress from 'Beginner to Expert levels'. Almost Ready to Fly airplanes (ARF's) & Almost Ready to Cover (ARC) are encouraged.

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