RCSCALEBUILDER.COM - 2026 FAI F4 World Championships

As evidence by my lack of update here, worlds was busy. The plan to share perspective and details as the event unfolded just got away from us in the best possible ways. Ben asked me to share an outside perspective now.

In Louisiana we pride ourselves on hospitality. I felt like I was at home. From the moment I stepped food onto the BMFA soil the hospitality felt genuine. Italy kept me stocked on coffee. Great Britain kept me stocked on snacks. Every single competitor kept me laughing. Not only myself, but my daughter.

As Ben mentioned, while I am a model wife, I’m not an RC Model wife. I couldn’t tell you what an aileron is and I still don’t understand how color complexity is scored. Even with that it was so enjoyable to move through the marquee and admire the work of the builders. To the builders who were there and in this group, thank you for sharing your passion and craft with me. I thought I’d come and support my model (in all the ways) husband for a day and then go traipse about England. I didn’t want to leave, the days were beautiful and full of joy.

Let’s get down to what you’re all here for. To hear about Jambalaya and nations night. I’m so grateful to the event staff for sharing cooking equipment and Danny, for sharing a pot. I had the best time cooking with the Swedish team! I had even more fun sharing the Louisiana dish with every single human that tried it. I’d be remiss if I didn’t share that the jambalaya was a mix from a New Orleans lady, Kristen, of Jambalaya Girl. Instead of andouille sausage, I used some pork and seasoned it up and browned it in the pot and some chicken thighs (also browned). Jambalaya is a creole dish with its history rooted in the Spanish of New Orleans when the Spanish introduced the French and West African to paella without saffron. I’m grateful to have shared a little bit of the magic at the event. It felt like home and nations night was such a reminder that food, laughter, music, and dancing transcend language barriers. I’ve never laugh so hard.

The event did a marvelous job of including the family in everything. The airplane fight of the closing banquet was chef’s kiss. The goodies from the BMFA team sit on my daughter’s trinket shelves proudly.

I walked into this event for a little jaunt around Great Britain. I expected my favorite memories to be wandering the streets of Edinburgh, York, and London, but I find myself as nostalgic for the competition as I am for the rest of the adventure. I would encourage anyone to aim to attend as a competitor or spectator.

PS… Danny, Nigel, and Mat, thank you for introducing and sharing your walker’s Thai Sweet Chili peanuts and your snacks. I’m nibbling some peanuts as I type this.