The Extreme Flight Championships
by Mark Fadely
Modelers enjoy the sport of miniature aviation in a myriad of ways. What drives us to obsess about undersized replicas of full-scale flying machines is as individual as each of us. Whatever the reason for the passion, the fix must have us involved with the miniature aircraft marvels in some way. We can pilot, design, build, report about, test, advertise, or involve ourselves in any other way, as long as it includes our favorite machines. The love of flight is something most every AMA member shares.
A few superdedicated pilots take their passion to the ultimate level. They want to learn everything about each aspect of RC models, but their strongest desire is to compete with the best pilots in the world. This elite group can be found at a world-class contest called the "Extreme Flight Championships" (XFC).
The 2009 Futaba- and AMA-sponsored RC show of the year
The XFC is an invitational for those who fly RC airplanes and helicopters. Pilots from around the world participated in the 2009 contest, which was held June 12–14 at the AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana.
Futaba is the XFC’s main sponsor. Hundreds of people and many other sponsors and organizations work together to make this contest possible. Most of those who work at this invitational are volunteers, and no profit is retained from gate receipts or other income. All the money is put back into prizes for the pilots. This year, each first-place winner took home $5,000. Since this competition includes two first-place awards—one for airplanes and one for helicopters—the total top prize money was $10,000. Even each second-place finisher received $3,500.
As are other top sports athletes, the XFC pilots are in it to satisfy their inner desires, and it is not just for the prize money. The entire event is geared toward making a great presentation for the spectators who pay to see the awesome show. Word has gotten out in the last few years in the Muncie area. People attend knowing what to expect, and they are not disappointed. The XFC’s entertainment theme makes it a great ambassador for our hobby; the public often has no conception of modern RC aircraft's capabilities.
Format and schedule
- Thursday: Last-chance qualifier in the morning. The organizers leave at least two spots open in each category for uninvited aspiring pilots. Each hopeful flies a routine that must include at least one mandatory maneuver; the winners fill the open roster positions.
- Friday: Contest begins at 8 a.m. Each helicopter and airplane pilot flies one Known round (three compulsory maneuvers designed by the XFC committee) and one Unknown round (a routine each pilot constructs for themselves).
- Saturday: The same schedule is flown, with the best round of each Known and Unknown tabulated. The top seven pilots advance to the finals on Sunday.
- Sunday: Finals, where two more rounds of each type are flown to determine the winners.
Notable pilots and highlights
- Jason Noll — Took top honors in the airplane category; his third XFC win. Jason attributes his consistent high scores to covering all the aspects judges look for. He flew the only biplane in the competition, which accentuated the smooth lines of his figures in the sky. He credits his father and mentor, Frank Noll, for much of his competitive knowledge.
- Seth Arnold — Young pilot who earned a solid second-place finish in airplanes. He was fresh off a win at the E-TOC (Electric Tournament of Champions). His control during high-speed roll maneuvers was impressive.
- Kyle Stacy — Known for a "take no prisoners" aggressive flying style. He was knocked out of top rankings by rare in-flight mechanical problems; expected to return strong next year.
- Jason Danhakl — Longtime IMAC and XFC competitor who flew a beautiful AeroWorks 40% Yak-54 with a DA-170 as his primary model and a 35% Extra 260 as backup. Also skilled with helicopters.
- JC Zankl — First-time XFC competitor who qualified via the last-chance qualifier and put on an awesome show with his T-Rex 700.
- Matt Botos — Known for originality; once flew his helicopter near an exploding Roman candle during a segment of his flight.
- Justin Jee — At 6 years old, the youngest pilot in this XFC. Flew a T-Rex 700 and competed credibly among top pilots.
- Sean McMurtry, Frank Noll, Jason Noll — Futaba/Hobbico team pilots who prepared models for team flights; competition was fierce in the second year of XFC team categories.
- Gabriel Altuz — Traveled from Puerto Rico; flights were daring, fast, and low, thrilling the crowd. His rookie appearance put him on the list of top world pilots.
- Bert Kammerer — Orlando pilot who flies year-round and has logged thousands of flights to reach top-pilot status.
- Nate Rice — Won a spot in XFC by entering and winning the International Amateur (IAN) contest at the IRCHA Jamboree; performed a music-choreographed routine in his Miniature Aircraft Stratus.
- Team Thunder Tiger — Present in force with helicopters and airplanes available to the public; vocal supporters cheered closely flown models.
- Manuel Santos and Team Santos — Manuel is an XFC airplane veteran from Mexico whose entourage travels with him; he finished 11th this year but treasured flying with his friends.
- Terry Hahn and Team GTO (Go Team Orange) — Flew a Jimmy Franklin replica WACO biplane (turbine/reciprocating-powered) in the Team Competition; provided strong, crowd-pleasing performances.
Helicopter competition highlights
- Jamie Roberson — At 16 years old, won the helicopter event with radical flying using a T-Rex 700.
- Nick Maxwell — Finished second in helicopters.
- Bobby Watts — Finished third in helicopters; co-winner of the Night Fly and, with Bert Kammerer, won the Team Competition for the second year in a row.
- Justin Jee — The 6-year-old who continued to impress in rotary-wing flying.
- The helicopter scores were extremely close; judging was difficult because of the high level of performance.
XFC Extras: Team Competition, Night Fly, and entertainment
The XFC committee added the Team Competition and the Night Fly in 2008; these events continue to grow in popularity. Several teams worked together all year to perfect formation-flying displays.
- Team Competition — Bobby Watts and Bert Kammerer won the helicopter Team Competition for the second consecutive year with precise choreography.
- Night Fly — Aircraft are outfitted with neonlike illumination and flown after dark. The Night Fly is judged by crowd applause; 2009’s Night Fly ended in a tie between Bobby Watts and Daniel Katzav after multiple "cheer votes." Bobby used pyrotechnics to augment his routine; Daniel flew daringly low and thrillingly in the dark.
- Entertainment — The traditional Saturday barbecue was accompanied by a band called the "Boat Drunks." A fireworks show closed the evening.
When night falls on the XFC flightline, glow sticks, glow necklaces, and other personal lighting devices add to the spectacle. Hundreds of spectators attend the Night Fly, and the illumination effects make for a memorable show.
Conclusion
The XFC is the premier RC competition in the world. It entertains and appeals to virtually everyone; spectators and the public have a blast while the event grows each year. We all need to thank the many people who generously donate their time and resources to make this contest happen. One of the XFC organization's goals is to garner television coverage of the event; when that happens, our hobby will be exposed in a positive and exciting way.
Make plans to attend this incredible show in June 2010.
Mark Fadely [email protected]
Sources:
- Futaba — (800) 637-7660 — www.futabarc.com
- XFC — www.futabarc.com/xfc-rc
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
