MODELERS ENJOY THE sport
of miniature aviation in a myriad of
ways. What drives us to obsess
about undersized replicas of fullscale
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
The 2009
Futabaand
AMAsponsored
RC
show of
the year
Kyle Stacy had a “take no prisoners” attitude, which showed
in his aggressive flying. However, he was knocked out of the
top rankings by some rare in-flight mechanical problems.
Look out for this kid next year; he is on a mission.
Jason Danhakl has campaigned in IMAC and XFC
contests for years—always with a beautiful
AeroWorks model. This year, his primary model was
the 40% Yak-54 with a DA-170. The backup was a
35% Extra 260. He’s good with a helicopter too.
20 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Colin Bell’s Raptor 90 performed flawlessly during the
entire event. He and his dad, Stephen, live in Nova Scotia,
Canada, but they make it to several RC helicopter events in the
US each year.
JC Zankl, a first-time XFC competitor, put on an awesome show
with his T-Rex 700. JC lives just down the road in Anderson,
Indiana. He flew in the last-chance qualifier the Thursday before
the event began and made it in. JC’s hard work paid off with a
good showing when it mattered.
You never know what kind of surprise Matt Botos has in store. He flew his
helicopter near an exploding Roman candle in a segment of his flight. One
of the judging criteria is originality; Matt had to score a few extra points for
this unique presentation.
Justin Jee, 6, was the youngest pilot in this XFC, but he kept
up with the flock of top pilots. His T-Rex 700 dwarfs him in
this picture, but don’t let Justin’s small size fool you; this kid is
for real.
Futaba/Hobbico team pilots Sean McMurtry, Frank Noll, and Jason Noll
prepare their models for a team flight. The competition was fierce in the
event, which was in its second year as an XFC category.
Right: Gabriel Altuz traveled from Puerto Rico to compete. His
flights were akin to roller-coaster rides. Crowd members were
thrilled with each of Gabriel’s daring, fast, low aerial
performances. His rookie appearance at the XFC put his name
on the list of top world pilots.
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 11:01 AM Page 20
October 2009 21
Jamie Robertson swaggers back to the pits
after a killer flight. He is smiling big, because
he knows that he is in position to win. He is
only 16, so one can only imagine what the
future might hold for him.
As night falls on the XFC flightline, glow sticks, glow necklaces, and other personal lighting devices take over. This is a view of the
crowd as the Night Fly competition begins; hundreds of spectators were in attendance.
Above: Bert Kammerer lives in Orlando FL, so he gets to fly
year-round. He has risen through the ranks in recent years, to
become one of the top pilots in the world. New fliers sometimes
ask what it takes to fly in the XFC. Bert will tell them that he has
logged thousands of flights to be where he is today as a pilot.
Left: Nate Rice was ecstatic about being able to fly in the biggest
RC competition. He threw his Miniature Aircraft Stratus around to
a well-choreographed music score. Nate won a spot in the XFC by
entering and winning the International Amateur (IAN) contest,
which was held at the IRCHA Jamboree last year.
Team Thunder Tiger was out in force at this year’s XFC. It has a fabulous offering of
helicopters and airplanes that anyone can buy. This picture was taken on the tarmac at
the east end of the runway.
ore. He flew his
f his flight. One
extra points for
nd Jason Noll
s fierce in the
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 10:21 AM Page 21
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 worldclass
contest called the “Extreme Flight
Championships” (XFC).
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
winner took home a check for $5,000. That
makes all the preparation and practice
seem more worth it.
Since this competition includes two
first-place awards—one for airplanes and
one for helicopters—that makes the total
top prize $10,000. Even each second-place
finisher rakes in a cool $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. And this contest is not only for the
pilots. 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 has no conception of the
modern RC aircraft’s capabilities.
The invitational lasts for three days,
starting on Friday. On Thursday morning,
there is a last-chance qualifier competition;
it’s an opportunity for uninvited aspiring
helicopter or airplane pilots to fill a few
open spots in the roster.
The XFC organizers leave at least two
spots open in each category, and then each
hopeful flies a routine that must include at
least one of the mandatory maneuvers.
Those flights are judged, and the winners
fill the open positions. Then it is off to the
contest, bright and early at 8 a.m. the next
day.
Each helicopter and airplane pilot flies
one Known round that includes three
compulsory maneuvers designed by the
XFC committee. Then all pilots fly an
Unknown round that consists of a routine
that each pilot constructs for himself or
herself.
The same schedule is flown on
Saturday, with the best round of each
Known and Unknown tabulated. The top
seven pilots advance to the finals on
Sunday, in which two more rounds of
each type of schedule are flown to
determine the winner.
The vocal members of Team Thunder
Tiger, Team GTO (Go Team Orange),
and Team Santos never went unnoticed
during the intense competition. Dino
Spadacinni and Jeff Fassbinder of
Thunder Tiger cheered their airplane and
helicopter pilots on during each flight.
The closer the pilots flew their models to
the ground, the louder the screams would
get.
Team Santos was much the same.
Manuel Santos is an XFC airplane veteran
from Mexico. He often jumps with his fist
in the air after his spectacular flights.
Manuel’s entourage of supporters
travels with him, making the long trip to
the XFC every year. He finished 11th this
year, but he says that it is his 1st-place
trophy because he got to fly with his
friends.
Terry Hahn and the entire GTO group
put on a great show this year. Terry flew
his magnificent WACO turbine/
reciprocating-powered biplane in the
Team Competition. The Jimmy Franklin
replica looked and sounded fantastic
during GTO’s three-way team flight.
Jason Noll took home top honors in the
airplane category; it was his third XFC
24 MODEL AVIATION
2009 XFC Sponsors
win. He knew what was required to earn
the highest scores on the judges’ sheets.
“I’m not the flashiest or most exciting
pilot to watch during this competition, but
I make sure to cover all the aspects the
judges are looking for,” he said.
Jason’s style is precise and
predictable. He flew the only biplane in
the competition, which helped accentuate
the smooth lines of the figures he drew in
the sky. Jason has received a wealth of
knowledge from his father and mentor,
Frank Noll. Frank is a seasoned
competition pilot who knows all the tools
and tricks of the trade.
The young Seth Arnold made his
presence known with a solid second-place
finish in airplanes. His skills have
skyrocketed during the last few years. He
was fresh off of a win at the E-TOC
(Electric Tournament of Champions)
earlier in the year.
Seth’s control of the airplane during
his high-speed roll maneuvers was
amazing. Look for this top-shelf talent to
be a force at future contests of all types.
The 2009 XFC was quite a contest for the
competitors who flew rotary-winged
models. There was a 6-year-old pilot who
threw down some incredible flights, and a
16-year-old won the whole thing! I guess
youth rules these days.
The 6-year-old is the polite Justin Jee.
He has been working hard during the last
few years and is quickly becoming a toplevel
pilot. His dad, Benny, accompanied
him.
Sixteen-year-old Jamie Roberson won
the helicopter event with some of the most
radical flying ever seen. His T-Rex 700
performed flawlessly throughout the
weekend.
His teammate, Nick Maxwell, earned
second place, and Bobby Watts was on the
podium in the third spot. The points totals
separating the pilots were extremely close.
All of the contestants flew so great that it
was nearly impossible to judge them.
XFC Extras: The traditional barbecue
dinner was served Saturday evening, but
this year a band called the “Boat Drunks”
was hired to play music until dusk. That
was a nice touch to an already enjoyable
experience. Entertainment value is
important to the XFC staff, and it shows.
When it finally got dark, the Night Fly
competition began. An excellent fireworks
show closed the evening. The XFC
committee added the Team Competition
and the Night Fly in 2008.
This year’s contestants were even more
prepared to excel in the “after party” of
unique competitions. Several teams
worked together all year to perfect their
formation-flying displays.
Bobby Watts and Bert Kammerer flew
their helicopters to a Team Competition
win for the second year in a row. Their
precision choreography thrilled the
cheering crowd. Bobby also co-won the
Night Fly with Daniel Katzav.
The nighttime contest is judged by
crowd applause. After three or four rounds
of “cheer votes,” it was still a tie between
Bobby’s and Daniel’s exciting flights.
Bobby had a bevy of pyrotechniques to
augment his explosive routine. Daniel was
“daring in the dark” during his entire
flight. His model was so low that everyone
was sure he would plant it, but it prevailed
unscathed.
The XFC is the premier RC competition in
the world. It entertains and appeals to
virtually everyone. The spectators and
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 to many in a positive and exciting
way. Make plans to attend this incredible
show in June 2010. MA
Mark Fadely
[email protected]
Sources:
Futaba
(800) 637-7660
www.futabarc.com
XFC
www.futabarc.com/xfc-rc
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,24
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,24
MODELERS ENJOY THE sport
of miniature aviation in a myriad of
ways. What drives us to obsess
about undersized replicas of fullscale
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
The 2009
Futabaand
AMAsponsored
RC
show of
the year
Kyle Stacy had a “take no prisoners” attitude, which showed
in his aggressive flying. However, he was knocked out of the
top rankings by some rare in-flight mechanical problems.
Look out for this kid next year; he is on a mission.
Jason Danhakl has campaigned in IMAC and XFC
contests for years—always with a beautiful
AeroWorks model. This year, his primary model was
the 40% Yak-54 with a DA-170. The backup was a
35% Extra 260. He’s good with a helicopter too.
20 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Colin Bell’s Raptor 90 performed flawlessly during the
entire event. He and his dad, Stephen, live in Nova Scotia,
Canada, but they make it to several RC helicopter events in the
US each year.
JC Zankl, a first-time XFC competitor, put on an awesome show
with his T-Rex 700. JC lives just down the road in Anderson,
Indiana. He flew in the last-chance qualifier the Thursday before
the event began and made it in. JC’s hard work paid off with a
good showing when it mattered.
You never know what kind of surprise Matt Botos has in store. He flew his
helicopter near an exploding Roman candle in a segment of his flight. One
of the judging criteria is originality; Matt had to score a few extra points for
this unique presentation.
Justin Jee, 6, was the youngest pilot in this XFC, but he kept
up with the flock of top pilots. His T-Rex 700 dwarfs him in
this picture, but don’t let Justin’s small size fool you; this kid is
for real.
Futaba/Hobbico team pilots Sean McMurtry, Frank Noll, and Jason Noll
prepare their models for a team flight. The competition was fierce in the
event, which was in its second year as an XFC category.
Right: Gabriel Altuz traveled from Puerto Rico to compete. His
flights were akin to roller-coaster rides. Crowd members were
thrilled with each of Gabriel’s daring, fast, low aerial
performances. His rookie appearance at the XFC put his name
on the list of top world pilots.
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 11:01 AM Page 20
October 2009 21
Jamie Robertson swaggers back to the pits
after a killer flight. He is smiling big, because
he knows that he is in position to win. He is
only 16, so one can only imagine what the
future might hold for him.
As night falls on the XFC flightline, glow sticks, glow necklaces, and other personal lighting devices take over. This is a view of the
crowd as the Night Fly competition begins; hundreds of spectators were in attendance.
Above: Bert Kammerer lives in Orlando FL, so he gets to fly
year-round. He has risen through the ranks in recent years, to
become one of the top pilots in the world. New fliers sometimes
ask what it takes to fly in the XFC. Bert will tell them that he has
logged thousands of flights to be where he is today as a pilot.
Left: Nate Rice was ecstatic about being able to fly in the biggest
RC competition. He threw his Miniature Aircraft Stratus around to
a well-choreographed music score. Nate won a spot in the XFC by
entering and winning the International Amateur (IAN) contest,
which was held at the IRCHA Jamboree last year.
Team Thunder Tiger was out in force at this year’s XFC. It has a fabulous offering of
helicopters and airplanes that anyone can buy. This picture was taken on the tarmac at
the east end of the runway.
ore. He flew his
f his flight. One
extra points for
nd Jason Noll
s fierce in the
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 10:21 AM Page 21
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 worldclass
contest called the “Extreme Flight
Championships” (XFC).
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
winner took home a check for $5,000. That
makes all the preparation and practice
seem more worth it.
Since this competition includes two
first-place awards—one for airplanes and
one for helicopters—that makes the total
top prize $10,000. Even each second-place
finisher rakes in a cool $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. And this contest is not only for the
pilots. 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 has no conception of the
modern RC aircraft’s capabilities.
The invitational lasts for three days,
starting on Friday. On Thursday morning,
there is a last-chance qualifier competition;
it’s an opportunity for uninvited aspiring
helicopter or airplane pilots to fill a few
open spots in the roster.
The XFC organizers leave at least two
spots open in each category, and then each
hopeful flies a routine that must include at
least one of the mandatory maneuvers.
Those flights are judged, and the winners
fill the open positions. Then it is off to the
contest, bright and early at 8 a.m. the next
day.
Each helicopter and airplane pilot flies
one Known round that includes three
compulsory maneuvers designed by the
XFC committee. Then all pilots fly an
Unknown round that consists of a routine
that each pilot constructs for himself or
herself.
The same schedule is flown on
Saturday, with the best round of each
Known and Unknown tabulated. The top
seven pilots advance to the finals on
Sunday, in which two more rounds of
each type of schedule are flown to
determine the winner.
The vocal members of Team Thunder
Tiger, Team GTO (Go Team Orange),
and Team Santos never went unnoticed
during the intense competition. Dino
Spadacinni and Jeff Fassbinder of
Thunder Tiger cheered their airplane and
helicopter pilots on during each flight.
The closer the pilots flew their models to
the ground, the louder the screams would
get.
Team Santos was much the same.
Manuel Santos is an XFC airplane veteran
from Mexico. He often jumps with his fist
in the air after his spectacular flights.
Manuel’s entourage of supporters
travels with him, making the long trip to
the XFC every year. He finished 11th this
year, but he says that it is his 1st-place
trophy because he got to fly with his
friends.
Terry Hahn and the entire GTO group
put on a great show this year. Terry flew
his magnificent WACO turbine/
reciprocating-powered biplane in the
Team Competition. The Jimmy Franklin
replica looked and sounded fantastic
during GTO’s three-way team flight.
Jason Noll took home top honors in the
airplane category; it was his third XFC
24 MODEL AVIATION
2009 XFC Sponsors
win. He knew what was required to earn
the highest scores on the judges’ sheets.
“I’m not the flashiest or most exciting
pilot to watch during this competition, but
I make sure to cover all the aspects the
judges are looking for,” he said.
Jason’s style is precise and
predictable. He flew the only biplane in
the competition, which helped accentuate
the smooth lines of the figures he drew in
the sky. Jason has received a wealth of
knowledge from his father and mentor,
Frank Noll. Frank is a seasoned
competition pilot who knows all the tools
and tricks of the trade.
The young Seth Arnold made his
presence known with a solid second-place
finish in airplanes. His skills have
skyrocketed during the last few years. He
was fresh off of a win at the E-TOC
(Electric Tournament of Champions)
earlier in the year.
Seth’s control of the airplane during
his high-speed roll maneuvers was
amazing. Look for this top-shelf talent to
be a force at future contests of all types.
The 2009 XFC was quite a contest for the
competitors who flew rotary-winged
models. There was a 6-year-old pilot who
threw down some incredible flights, and a
16-year-old won the whole thing! I guess
youth rules these days.
The 6-year-old is the polite Justin Jee.
He has been working hard during the last
few years and is quickly becoming a toplevel
pilot. His dad, Benny, accompanied
him.
Sixteen-year-old Jamie Roberson won
the helicopter event with some of the most
radical flying ever seen. His T-Rex 700
performed flawlessly throughout the
weekend.
His teammate, Nick Maxwell, earned
second place, and Bobby Watts was on the
podium in the third spot. The points totals
separating the pilots were extremely close.
All of the contestants flew so great that it
was nearly impossible to judge them.
XFC Extras: The traditional barbecue
dinner was served Saturday evening, but
this year a band called the “Boat Drunks”
was hired to play music until dusk. That
was a nice touch to an already enjoyable
experience. Entertainment value is
important to the XFC staff, and it shows.
When it finally got dark, the Night Fly
competition began. An excellent fireworks
show closed the evening. The XFC
committee added the Team Competition
and the Night Fly in 2008.
This year’s contestants were even more
prepared to excel in the “after party” of
unique competitions. Several teams
worked together all year to perfect their
formation-flying displays.
Bobby Watts and Bert Kammerer flew
their helicopters to a Team Competition
win for the second year in a row. Their
precision choreography thrilled the
cheering crowd. Bobby also co-won the
Night Fly with Daniel Katzav.
The nighttime contest is judged by
crowd applause. After three or four rounds
of “cheer votes,” it was still a tie between
Bobby’s and Daniel’s exciting flights.
Bobby had a bevy of pyrotechniques to
augment his explosive routine. Daniel was
“daring in the dark” during his entire
flight. His model was so low that everyone
was sure he would plant it, but it prevailed
unscathed.
The XFC is the premier RC competition in
the world. It entertains and appeals to
virtually everyone. The spectators and
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 to many in a positive and exciting
way. Make plans to attend this incredible
show in June 2010. MA
Mark Fadely
[email protected]
Sources:
Futaba
(800) 637-7660
www.futabarc.com
XFC
www.futabarc.com/xfc-rc
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,24
MODELERS ENJOY THE sport
of miniature aviation in a myriad of
ways. What drives us to obsess
about undersized replicas of fullscale
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
The 2009
Futabaand
AMAsponsored
RC
show of
the year
Kyle Stacy had a “take no prisoners” attitude, which showed
in his aggressive flying. However, he was knocked out of the
top rankings by some rare in-flight mechanical problems.
Look out for this kid next year; he is on a mission.
Jason Danhakl has campaigned in IMAC and XFC
contests for years—always with a beautiful
AeroWorks model. This year, his primary model was
the 40% Yak-54 with a DA-170. The backup was a
35% Extra 260. He’s good with a helicopter too.
20 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Colin Bell’s Raptor 90 performed flawlessly during the
entire event. He and his dad, Stephen, live in Nova Scotia,
Canada, but they make it to several RC helicopter events in the
US each year.
JC Zankl, a first-time XFC competitor, put on an awesome show
with his T-Rex 700. JC lives just down the road in Anderson,
Indiana. He flew in the last-chance qualifier the Thursday before
the event began and made it in. JC’s hard work paid off with a
good showing when it mattered.
You never know what kind of surprise Matt Botos has in store. He flew his
helicopter near an exploding Roman candle in a segment of his flight. One
of the judging criteria is originality; Matt had to score a few extra points for
this unique presentation.
Justin Jee, 6, was the youngest pilot in this XFC, but he kept
up with the flock of top pilots. His T-Rex 700 dwarfs him in
this picture, but don’t let Justin’s small size fool you; this kid is
for real.
Futaba/Hobbico team pilots Sean McMurtry, Frank Noll, and Jason Noll
prepare their models for a team flight. The competition was fierce in the
event, which was in its second year as an XFC category.
Right: Gabriel Altuz traveled from Puerto Rico to compete. His
flights were akin to roller-coaster rides. Crowd members were
thrilled with each of Gabriel’s daring, fast, low aerial
performances. His rookie appearance at the XFC put his name
on the list of top world pilots.
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 11:01 AM Page 20
October 2009 21
Jamie Robertson swaggers back to the pits
after a killer flight. He is smiling big, because
he knows that he is in position to win. He is
only 16, so one can only imagine what the
future might hold for him.
As night falls on the XFC flightline, glow sticks, glow necklaces, and other personal lighting devices take over. This is a view of the
crowd as the Night Fly competition begins; hundreds of spectators were in attendance.
Above: Bert Kammerer lives in Orlando FL, so he gets to fly
year-round. He has risen through the ranks in recent years, to
become one of the top pilots in the world. New fliers sometimes
ask what it takes to fly in the XFC. Bert will tell them that he has
logged thousands of flights to be where he is today as a pilot.
Left: Nate Rice was ecstatic about being able to fly in the biggest
RC competition. He threw his Miniature Aircraft Stratus around to
a well-choreographed music score. Nate won a spot in the XFC by
entering and winning the International Amateur (IAN) contest,
which was held at the IRCHA Jamboree last year.
Team Thunder Tiger was out in force at this year’s XFC. It has a fabulous offering of
helicopters and airplanes that anyone can buy. This picture was taken on the tarmac at
the east end of the runway.
ore. He flew his
f his flight. One
extra points for
nd Jason Noll
s fierce in the
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 10:21 AM Page 21
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 worldclass
contest called the “Extreme Flight
Championships” (XFC).
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
winner took home a check for $5,000. That
makes all the preparation and practice
seem more worth it.
Since this competition includes two
first-place awards—one for airplanes and
one for helicopters—that makes the total
top prize $10,000. Even each second-place
finisher rakes in a cool $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. And this contest is not only for the
pilots. 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 has no conception of the
modern RC aircraft’s capabilities.
The invitational lasts for three days,
starting on Friday. On Thursday morning,
there is a last-chance qualifier competition;
it’s an opportunity for uninvited aspiring
helicopter or airplane pilots to fill a few
open spots in the roster.
The XFC organizers leave at least two
spots open in each category, and then each
hopeful flies a routine that must include at
least one of the mandatory maneuvers.
Those flights are judged, and the winners
fill the open positions. Then it is off to the
contest, bright and early at 8 a.m. the next
day.
Each helicopter and airplane pilot flies
one Known round that includes three
compulsory maneuvers designed by the
XFC committee. Then all pilots fly an
Unknown round that consists of a routine
that each pilot constructs for himself or
herself.
The same schedule is flown on
Saturday, with the best round of each
Known and Unknown tabulated. The top
seven pilots advance to the finals on
Sunday, in which two more rounds of
each type of schedule are flown to
determine the winner.
The vocal members of Team Thunder
Tiger, Team GTO (Go Team Orange),
and Team Santos never went unnoticed
during the intense competition. Dino
Spadacinni and Jeff Fassbinder of
Thunder Tiger cheered their airplane and
helicopter pilots on during each flight.
The closer the pilots flew their models to
the ground, the louder the screams would
get.
Team Santos was much the same.
Manuel Santos is an XFC airplane veteran
from Mexico. He often jumps with his fist
in the air after his spectacular flights.
Manuel’s entourage of supporters
travels with him, making the long trip to
the XFC every year. He finished 11th this
year, but he says that it is his 1st-place
trophy because he got to fly with his
friends.
Terry Hahn and the entire GTO group
put on a great show this year. Terry flew
his magnificent WACO turbine/
reciprocating-powered biplane in the
Team Competition. The Jimmy Franklin
replica looked and sounded fantastic
during GTO’s three-way team flight.
Jason Noll took home top honors in the
airplane category; it was his third XFC
24 MODEL AVIATION
2009 XFC Sponsors
win. He knew what was required to earn
the highest scores on the judges’ sheets.
“I’m not the flashiest or most exciting
pilot to watch during this competition, but
I make sure to cover all the aspects the
judges are looking for,” he said.
Jason’s style is precise and
predictable. He flew the only biplane in
the competition, which helped accentuate
the smooth lines of the figures he drew in
the sky. Jason has received a wealth of
knowledge from his father and mentor,
Frank Noll. Frank is a seasoned
competition pilot who knows all the tools
and tricks of the trade.
The young Seth Arnold made his
presence known with a solid second-place
finish in airplanes. His skills have
skyrocketed during the last few years. He
was fresh off of a win at the E-TOC
(Electric Tournament of Champions)
earlier in the year.
Seth’s control of the airplane during
his high-speed roll maneuvers was
amazing. Look for this top-shelf talent to
be a force at future contests of all types.
The 2009 XFC was quite a contest for the
competitors who flew rotary-winged
models. There was a 6-year-old pilot who
threw down some incredible flights, and a
16-year-old won the whole thing! I guess
youth rules these days.
The 6-year-old is the polite Justin Jee.
He has been working hard during the last
few years and is quickly becoming a toplevel
pilot. His dad, Benny, accompanied
him.
Sixteen-year-old Jamie Roberson won
the helicopter event with some of the most
radical flying ever seen. His T-Rex 700
performed flawlessly throughout the
weekend.
His teammate, Nick Maxwell, earned
second place, and Bobby Watts was on the
podium in the third spot. The points totals
separating the pilots were extremely close.
All of the contestants flew so great that it
was nearly impossible to judge them.
XFC Extras: The traditional barbecue
dinner was served Saturday evening, but
this year a band called the “Boat Drunks”
was hired to play music until dusk. That
was a nice touch to an already enjoyable
experience. Entertainment value is
important to the XFC staff, and it shows.
When it finally got dark, the Night Fly
competition began. An excellent fireworks
show closed the evening. The XFC
committee added the Team Competition
and the Night Fly in 2008.
This year’s contestants were even more
prepared to excel in the “after party” of
unique competitions. Several teams
worked together all year to perfect their
formation-flying displays.
Bobby Watts and Bert Kammerer flew
their helicopters to a Team Competition
win for the second year in a row. Their
precision choreography thrilled the
cheering crowd. Bobby also co-won the
Night Fly with Daniel Katzav.
The nighttime contest is judged by
crowd applause. After three or four rounds
of “cheer votes,” it was still a tie between
Bobby’s and Daniel’s exciting flights.
Bobby had a bevy of pyrotechniques to
augment his explosive routine. Daniel was
“daring in the dark” during his entire
flight. His model was so low that everyone
was sure he would plant it, but it prevailed
unscathed.
The XFC is the premier RC competition in
the world. It entertains and appeals to
virtually everyone. The spectators and
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 to many in a positive and exciting
way. Make plans to attend this incredible
show in June 2010. MA
Mark Fadely
[email protected]
Sources:
Futaba
(800) 637-7660
www.futabarc.com
XFC
www.futabarc.com/xfc-rc
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,24
MODELERS ENJOY THE sport
of miniature aviation in a myriad of
ways. What drives us to obsess
about undersized replicas of fullscale
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
The 2009
Futabaand
AMAsponsored
RC
show of
the year
Kyle Stacy had a “take no prisoners” attitude, which showed
in his aggressive flying. However, he was knocked out of the
top rankings by some rare in-flight mechanical problems.
Look out for this kid next year; he is on a mission.
Jason Danhakl has campaigned in IMAC and XFC
contests for years—always with a beautiful
AeroWorks model. This year, his primary model was
the 40% Yak-54 with a DA-170. The backup was a
35% Extra 260. He’s good with a helicopter too.
20 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Colin Bell’s Raptor 90 performed flawlessly during the
entire event. He and his dad, Stephen, live in Nova Scotia,
Canada, but they make it to several RC helicopter events in the
US each year.
JC Zankl, a first-time XFC competitor, put on an awesome show
with his T-Rex 700. JC lives just down the road in Anderson,
Indiana. He flew in the last-chance qualifier the Thursday before
the event began and made it in. JC’s hard work paid off with a
good showing when it mattered.
You never know what kind of surprise Matt Botos has in store. He flew his
helicopter near an exploding Roman candle in a segment of his flight. One
of the judging criteria is originality; Matt had to score a few extra points for
this unique presentation.
Justin Jee, 6, was the youngest pilot in this XFC, but he kept
up with the flock of top pilots. His T-Rex 700 dwarfs him in
this picture, but don’t let Justin’s small size fool you; this kid is
for real.
Futaba/Hobbico team pilots Sean McMurtry, Frank Noll, and Jason Noll
prepare their models for a team flight. The competition was fierce in the
event, which was in its second year as an XFC category.
Right: Gabriel Altuz traveled from Puerto Rico to compete. His
flights were akin to roller-coaster rides. Crowd members were
thrilled with each of Gabriel’s daring, fast, low aerial
performances. His rookie appearance at the XFC put his name
on the list of top world pilots.
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 11:01 AM Page 20
October 2009 21
Jamie Robertson swaggers back to the pits
after a killer flight. He is smiling big, because
he knows that he is in position to win. He is
only 16, so one can only imagine what the
future might hold for him.
As night falls on the XFC flightline, glow sticks, glow necklaces, and other personal lighting devices take over. This is a view of the
crowd as the Night Fly competition begins; hundreds of spectators were in attendance.
Above: Bert Kammerer lives in Orlando FL, so he gets to fly
year-round. He has risen through the ranks in recent years, to
become one of the top pilots in the world. New fliers sometimes
ask what it takes to fly in the XFC. Bert will tell them that he has
logged thousands of flights to be where he is today as a pilot.
Left: Nate Rice was ecstatic about being able to fly in the biggest
RC competition. He threw his Miniature Aircraft Stratus around to
a well-choreographed music score. Nate won a spot in the XFC by
entering and winning the International Amateur (IAN) contest,
which was held at the IRCHA Jamboree last year.
Team Thunder Tiger was out in force at this year’s XFC. It has a fabulous offering of
helicopters and airplanes that anyone can buy. This picture was taken on the tarmac at
the east end of the runway.
ore. He flew his
f his flight. One
extra points for
nd Jason Noll
s fierce in the
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 10:21 AM Page 21
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 worldclass
contest called the “Extreme Flight
Championships” (XFC).
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
winner took home a check for $5,000. That
makes all the preparation and practice
seem more worth it.
Since this competition includes two
first-place awards—one for airplanes and
one for helicopters—that makes the total
top prize $10,000. Even each second-place
finisher rakes in a cool $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. And this contest is not only for the
pilots. 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 has no conception of the
modern RC aircraft’s capabilities.
The invitational lasts for three days,
starting on Friday. On Thursday morning,
there is a last-chance qualifier competition;
it’s an opportunity for uninvited aspiring
helicopter or airplane pilots to fill a few
open spots in the roster.
The XFC organizers leave at least two
spots open in each category, and then each
hopeful flies a routine that must include at
least one of the mandatory maneuvers.
Those flights are judged, and the winners
fill the open positions. Then it is off to the
contest, bright and early at 8 a.m. the next
day.
Each helicopter and airplane pilot flies
one Known round that includes three
compulsory maneuvers designed by the
XFC committee. Then all pilots fly an
Unknown round that consists of a routine
that each pilot constructs for himself or
herself.
The same schedule is flown on
Saturday, with the best round of each
Known and Unknown tabulated. The top
seven pilots advance to the finals on
Sunday, in which two more rounds of
each type of schedule are flown to
determine the winner.
The vocal members of Team Thunder
Tiger, Team GTO (Go Team Orange),
and Team Santos never went unnoticed
during the intense competition. Dino
Spadacinni and Jeff Fassbinder of
Thunder Tiger cheered their airplane and
helicopter pilots on during each flight.
The closer the pilots flew their models to
the ground, the louder the screams would
get.
Team Santos was much the same.
Manuel Santos is an XFC airplane veteran
from Mexico. He often jumps with his fist
in the air after his spectacular flights.
Manuel’s entourage of supporters
travels with him, making the long trip to
the XFC every year. He finished 11th this
year, but he says that it is his 1st-place
trophy because he got to fly with his
friends.
Terry Hahn and the entire GTO group
put on a great show this year. Terry flew
his magnificent WACO turbine/
reciprocating-powered biplane in the
Team Competition. The Jimmy Franklin
replica looked and sounded fantastic
during GTO’s three-way team flight.
Jason Noll took home top honors in the
airplane category; it was his third XFC
24 MODEL AVIATION
2009 XFC Sponsors
win. He knew what was required to earn
the highest scores on the judges’ sheets.
“I’m not the flashiest or most exciting
pilot to watch during this competition, but
I make sure to cover all the aspects the
judges are looking for,” he said.
Jason’s style is precise and
predictable. He flew the only biplane in
the competition, which helped accentuate
the smooth lines of the figures he drew in
the sky. Jason has received a wealth of
knowledge from his father and mentor,
Frank Noll. Frank is a seasoned
competition pilot who knows all the tools
and tricks of the trade.
The young Seth Arnold made his
presence known with a solid second-place
finish in airplanes. His skills have
skyrocketed during the last few years. He
was fresh off of a win at the E-TOC
(Electric Tournament of Champions)
earlier in the year.
Seth’s control of the airplane during
his high-speed roll maneuvers was
amazing. Look for this top-shelf talent to
be a force at future contests of all types.
The 2009 XFC was quite a contest for the
competitors who flew rotary-winged
models. There was a 6-year-old pilot who
threw down some incredible flights, and a
16-year-old won the whole thing! I guess
youth rules these days.
The 6-year-old is the polite Justin Jee.
He has been working hard during the last
few years and is quickly becoming a toplevel
pilot. His dad, Benny, accompanied
him.
Sixteen-year-old Jamie Roberson won
the helicopter event with some of the most
radical flying ever seen. His T-Rex 700
performed flawlessly throughout the
weekend.
His teammate, Nick Maxwell, earned
second place, and Bobby Watts was on the
podium in the third spot. The points totals
separating the pilots were extremely close.
All of the contestants flew so great that it
was nearly impossible to judge them.
XFC Extras: The traditional barbecue
dinner was served Saturday evening, but
this year a band called the “Boat Drunks”
was hired to play music until dusk. That
was a nice touch to an already enjoyable
experience. Entertainment value is
important to the XFC staff, and it shows.
When it finally got dark, the Night Fly
competition began. An excellent fireworks
show closed the evening. The XFC
committee added the Team Competition
and the Night Fly in 2008.
This year’s contestants were even more
prepared to excel in the “after party” of
unique competitions. Several teams
worked together all year to perfect their
formation-flying displays.
Bobby Watts and Bert Kammerer flew
their helicopters to a Team Competition
win for the second year in a row. Their
precision choreography thrilled the
cheering crowd. Bobby also co-won the
Night Fly with Daniel Katzav.
The nighttime contest is judged by
crowd applause. After three or four rounds
of “cheer votes,” it was still a tie between
Bobby’s and Daniel’s exciting flights.
Bobby had a bevy of pyrotechniques to
augment his explosive routine. Daniel was
“daring in the dark” during his entire
flight. His model was so low that everyone
was sure he would plant it, but it prevailed
unscathed.
The XFC is the premier RC competition in
the world. It entertains and appeals to
virtually everyone. The spectators and
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 to many in a positive and exciting
way. Make plans to attend this incredible
show in June 2010. MA
Mark Fadely
[email protected]
Sources:
Futaba
(800) 637-7660
www.futabarc.com
XFC
www.futabarc.com/xfc-rc
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,24
MODELERS ENJOY THE sport
of miniature aviation in a myriad of
ways. What drives us to obsess
about undersized replicas of fullscale
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
The 2009
Futabaand
AMAsponsored
RC
show of
the year
Kyle Stacy had a “take no prisoners” attitude, which showed
in his aggressive flying. However, he was knocked out of the
top rankings by some rare in-flight mechanical problems.
Look out for this kid next year; he is on a mission.
Jason Danhakl has campaigned in IMAC and XFC
contests for years—always with a beautiful
AeroWorks model. This year, his primary model was
the 40% Yak-54 with a DA-170. The backup was a
35% Extra 260. He’s good with a helicopter too.
20 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Colin Bell’s Raptor 90 performed flawlessly during the
entire event. He and his dad, Stephen, live in Nova Scotia,
Canada, but they make it to several RC helicopter events in the
US each year.
JC Zankl, a first-time XFC competitor, put on an awesome show
with his T-Rex 700. JC lives just down the road in Anderson,
Indiana. He flew in the last-chance qualifier the Thursday before
the event began and made it in. JC’s hard work paid off with a
good showing when it mattered.
You never know what kind of surprise Matt Botos has in store. He flew his
helicopter near an exploding Roman candle in a segment of his flight. One
of the judging criteria is originality; Matt had to score a few extra points for
this unique presentation.
Justin Jee, 6, was the youngest pilot in this XFC, but he kept
up with the flock of top pilots. His T-Rex 700 dwarfs him in
this picture, but don’t let Justin’s small size fool you; this kid is
for real.
Futaba/Hobbico team pilots Sean McMurtry, Frank Noll, and Jason Noll
prepare their models for a team flight. The competition was fierce in the
event, which was in its second year as an XFC category.
Right: Gabriel Altuz traveled from Puerto Rico to compete. His
flights were akin to roller-coaster rides. Crowd members were
thrilled with each of Gabriel’s daring, fast, low aerial
performances. His rookie appearance at the XFC put his name
on the list of top world pilots.
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 11:01 AM Page 20
October 2009 21
Jamie Robertson swaggers back to the pits
after a killer flight. He is smiling big, because
he knows that he is in position to win. He is
only 16, so one can only imagine what the
future might hold for him.
As night falls on the XFC flightline, glow sticks, glow necklaces, and other personal lighting devices take over. This is a view of the
crowd as the Night Fly competition begins; hundreds of spectators were in attendance.
Above: Bert Kammerer lives in Orlando FL, so he gets to fly
year-round. He has risen through the ranks in recent years, to
become one of the top pilots in the world. New fliers sometimes
ask what it takes to fly in the XFC. Bert will tell them that he has
logged thousands of flights to be where he is today as a pilot.
Left: Nate Rice was ecstatic about being able to fly in the biggest
RC competition. He threw his Miniature Aircraft Stratus around to
a well-choreographed music score. Nate won a spot in the XFC by
entering and winning the International Amateur (IAN) contest,
which was held at the IRCHA Jamboree last year.
Team Thunder Tiger was out in force at this year’s XFC. It has a fabulous offering of
helicopters and airplanes that anyone can buy. This picture was taken on the tarmac at
the east end of the runway.
ore. He flew his
f his flight. One
extra points for
nd Jason Noll
s fierce in the
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 10:21 AM Page 21
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 worldclass
contest called the “Extreme Flight
Championships” (XFC).
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
winner took home a check for $5,000. That
makes all the preparation and practice
seem more worth it.
Since this competition includes two
first-place awards—one for airplanes and
one for helicopters—that makes the total
top prize $10,000. Even each second-place
finisher rakes in a cool $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. And this contest is not only for the
pilots. 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 has no conception of the
modern RC aircraft’s capabilities.
The invitational lasts for three days,
starting on Friday. On Thursday morning,
there is a last-chance qualifier competition;
it’s an opportunity for uninvited aspiring
helicopter or airplane pilots to fill a few
open spots in the roster.
The XFC organizers leave at least two
spots open in each category, and then each
hopeful flies a routine that must include at
least one of the mandatory maneuvers.
Those flights are judged, and the winners
fill the open positions. Then it is off to the
contest, bright and early at 8 a.m. the next
day.
Each helicopter and airplane pilot flies
one Known round that includes three
compulsory maneuvers designed by the
XFC committee. Then all pilots fly an
Unknown round that consists of a routine
that each pilot constructs for himself or
herself.
The same schedule is flown on
Saturday, with the best round of each
Known and Unknown tabulated. The top
seven pilots advance to the finals on
Sunday, in which two more rounds of
each type of schedule are flown to
determine the winner.
The vocal members of Team Thunder
Tiger, Team GTO (Go Team Orange),
and Team Santos never went unnoticed
during the intense competition. Dino
Spadacinni and Jeff Fassbinder of
Thunder Tiger cheered their airplane and
helicopter pilots on during each flight.
The closer the pilots flew their models to
the ground, the louder the screams would
get.
Team Santos was much the same.
Manuel Santos is an XFC airplane veteran
from Mexico. He often jumps with his fist
in the air after his spectacular flights.
Manuel’s entourage of supporters
travels with him, making the long trip to
the XFC every year. He finished 11th this
year, but he says that it is his 1st-place
trophy because he got to fly with his
friends.
Terry Hahn and the entire GTO group
put on a great show this year. Terry flew
his magnificent WACO turbine/
reciprocating-powered biplane in the
Team Competition. The Jimmy Franklin
replica looked and sounded fantastic
during GTO’s three-way team flight.
Jason Noll took home top honors in the
airplane category; it was his third XFC
24 MODEL AVIATION
2009 XFC Sponsors
win. He knew what was required to earn
the highest scores on the judges’ sheets.
“I’m not the flashiest or most exciting
pilot to watch during this competition, but
I make sure to cover all the aspects the
judges are looking for,” he said.
Jason’s style is precise and
predictable. He flew the only biplane in
the competition, which helped accentuate
the smooth lines of the figures he drew in
the sky. Jason has received a wealth of
knowledge from his father and mentor,
Frank Noll. Frank is a seasoned
competition pilot who knows all the tools
and tricks of the trade.
The young Seth Arnold made his
presence known with a solid second-place
finish in airplanes. His skills have
skyrocketed during the last few years. He
was fresh off of a win at the E-TOC
(Electric Tournament of Champions)
earlier in the year.
Seth’s control of the airplane during
his high-speed roll maneuvers was
amazing. Look for this top-shelf talent to
be a force at future contests of all types.
The 2009 XFC was quite a contest for the
competitors who flew rotary-winged
models. There was a 6-year-old pilot who
threw down some incredible flights, and a
16-year-old won the whole thing! I guess
youth rules these days.
The 6-year-old is the polite Justin Jee.
He has been working hard during the last
few years and is quickly becoming a toplevel
pilot. His dad, Benny, accompanied
him.
Sixteen-year-old Jamie Roberson won
the helicopter event with some of the most
radical flying ever seen. His T-Rex 700
performed flawlessly throughout the
weekend.
His teammate, Nick Maxwell, earned
second place, and Bobby Watts was on the
podium in the third spot. The points totals
separating the pilots were extremely close.
All of the contestants flew so great that it
was nearly impossible to judge them.
XFC Extras: The traditional barbecue
dinner was served Saturday evening, but
this year a band called the “Boat Drunks”
was hired to play music until dusk. That
was a nice touch to an already enjoyable
experience. Entertainment value is
important to the XFC staff, and it shows.
When it finally got dark, the Night Fly
competition began. An excellent fireworks
show closed the evening. The XFC
committee added the Team Competition
and the Night Fly in 2008.
This year’s contestants were even more
prepared to excel in the “after party” of
unique competitions. Several teams
worked together all year to perfect their
formation-flying displays.
Bobby Watts and Bert Kammerer flew
their helicopters to a Team Competition
win for the second year in a row. Their
precision choreography thrilled the
cheering crowd. Bobby also co-won the
Night Fly with Daniel Katzav.
The nighttime contest is judged by
crowd applause. After three or four rounds
of “cheer votes,” it was still a tie between
Bobby’s and Daniel’s exciting flights.
Bobby had a bevy of pyrotechniques to
augment his explosive routine. Daniel was
“daring in the dark” during his entire
flight. His model was so low that everyone
was sure he would plant it, but it prevailed
unscathed.
The XFC is the premier RC competition in
the world. It entertains and appeals to
virtually everyone. The spectators and
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 to many in a positive and exciting
way. Make plans to attend this incredible
show in June 2010. MA
Mark Fadely
[email protected]
Sources:
Futaba
(800) 637-7660
www.futabarc.com
XFC
www.futabarc.com/xfc-rc
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,24
MODELERS ENJOY THE sport
of miniature aviation in a myriad of
ways. What drives us to obsess
about undersized replicas of fullscale
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
The 2009
Futabaand
AMAsponsored
RC
show of
the year
Kyle Stacy had a “take no prisoners” attitude, which showed
in his aggressive flying. However, he was knocked out of the
top rankings by some rare in-flight mechanical problems.
Look out for this kid next year; he is on a mission.
Jason Danhakl has campaigned in IMAC and XFC
contests for years—always with a beautiful
AeroWorks model. This year, his primary model was
the 40% Yak-54 with a DA-170. The backup was a
35% Extra 260. He’s good with a helicopter too.
20 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Colin Bell’s Raptor 90 performed flawlessly during the
entire event. He and his dad, Stephen, live in Nova Scotia,
Canada, but they make it to several RC helicopter events in the
US each year.
JC Zankl, a first-time XFC competitor, put on an awesome show
with his T-Rex 700. JC lives just down the road in Anderson,
Indiana. He flew in the last-chance qualifier the Thursday before
the event began and made it in. JC’s hard work paid off with a
good showing when it mattered.
You never know what kind of surprise Matt Botos has in store. He flew his
helicopter near an exploding Roman candle in a segment of his flight. One
of the judging criteria is originality; Matt had to score a few extra points for
this unique presentation.
Justin Jee, 6, was the youngest pilot in this XFC, but he kept
up with the flock of top pilots. His T-Rex 700 dwarfs him in
this picture, but don’t let Justin’s small size fool you; this kid is
for real.
Futaba/Hobbico team pilots Sean McMurtry, Frank Noll, and Jason Noll
prepare their models for a team flight. The competition was fierce in the
event, which was in its second year as an XFC category.
Right: Gabriel Altuz traveled from Puerto Rico to compete. His
flights were akin to roller-coaster rides. Crowd members were
thrilled with each of Gabriel’s daring, fast, low aerial
performances. His rookie appearance at the XFC put his name
on the list of top world pilots.
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 11:01 AM Page 20
October 2009 21
Jamie Robertson swaggers back to the pits
after a killer flight. He is smiling big, because
he knows that he is in position to win. He is
only 16, so one can only imagine what the
future might hold for him.
As night falls on the XFC flightline, glow sticks, glow necklaces, and other personal lighting devices take over. This is a view of the
crowd as the Night Fly competition begins; hundreds of spectators were in attendance.
Above: Bert Kammerer lives in Orlando FL, so he gets to fly
year-round. He has risen through the ranks in recent years, to
become one of the top pilots in the world. New fliers sometimes
ask what it takes to fly in the XFC. Bert will tell them that he has
logged thousands of flights to be where he is today as a pilot.
Left: Nate Rice was ecstatic about being able to fly in the biggest
RC competition. He threw his Miniature Aircraft Stratus around to
a well-choreographed music score. Nate won a spot in the XFC by
entering and winning the International Amateur (IAN) contest,
which was held at the IRCHA Jamboree last year.
Team Thunder Tiger was out in force at this year’s XFC. It has a fabulous offering of
helicopters and airplanes that anyone can buy. This picture was taken on the tarmac at
the east end of the runway.
ore. He flew his
f his flight. One
extra points for
nd Jason Noll
s fierce in the
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 10:21 AM Page 21
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 worldclass
contest called the “Extreme Flight
Championships” (XFC).
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
winner took home a check for $5,000. That
makes all the preparation and practice
seem more worth it.
Since this competition includes two
first-place awards—one for airplanes and
one for helicopters—that makes the total
top prize $10,000. Even each second-place
finisher rakes in a cool $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. And this contest is not only for the
pilots. 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 has no conception of the
modern RC aircraft’s capabilities.
The invitational lasts for three days,
starting on Friday. On Thursday morning,
there is a last-chance qualifier competition;
it’s an opportunity for uninvited aspiring
helicopter or airplane pilots to fill a few
open spots in the roster.
The XFC organizers leave at least two
spots open in each category, and then each
hopeful flies a routine that must include at
least one of the mandatory maneuvers.
Those flights are judged, and the winners
fill the open positions. Then it is off to the
contest, bright and early at 8 a.m. the next
day.
Each helicopter and airplane pilot flies
one Known round that includes three
compulsory maneuvers designed by the
XFC committee. Then all pilots fly an
Unknown round that consists of a routine
that each pilot constructs for himself or
herself.
The same schedule is flown on
Saturday, with the best round of each
Known and Unknown tabulated. The top
seven pilots advance to the finals on
Sunday, in which two more rounds of
each type of schedule are flown to
determine the winner.
The vocal members of Team Thunder
Tiger, Team GTO (Go Team Orange),
and Team Santos never went unnoticed
during the intense competition. Dino
Spadacinni and Jeff Fassbinder of
Thunder Tiger cheered their airplane and
helicopter pilots on during each flight.
The closer the pilots flew their models to
the ground, the louder the screams would
get.
Team Santos was much the same.
Manuel Santos is an XFC airplane veteran
from Mexico. He often jumps with his fist
in the air after his spectacular flights.
Manuel’s entourage of supporters
travels with him, making the long trip to
the XFC every year. He finished 11th this
year, but he says that it is his 1st-place
trophy because he got to fly with his
friends.
Terry Hahn and the entire GTO group
put on a great show this year. Terry flew
his magnificent WACO turbine/
reciprocating-powered biplane in the
Team Competition. The Jimmy Franklin
replica looked and sounded fantastic
during GTO’s three-way team flight.
Jason Noll took home top honors in the
airplane category; it was his third XFC
24 MODEL AVIATION
2009 XFC Sponsors
win. He knew what was required to earn
the highest scores on the judges’ sheets.
“I’m not the flashiest or most exciting
pilot to watch during this competition, but
I make sure to cover all the aspects the
judges are looking for,” he said.
Jason’s style is precise and
predictable. He flew the only biplane in
the competition, which helped accentuate
the smooth lines of the figures he drew in
the sky. Jason has received a wealth of
knowledge from his father and mentor,
Frank Noll. Frank is a seasoned
competition pilot who knows all the tools
and tricks of the trade.
The young Seth Arnold made his
presence known with a solid second-place
finish in airplanes. His skills have
skyrocketed during the last few years. He
was fresh off of a win at the E-TOC
(Electric Tournament of Champions)
earlier in the year.
Seth’s control of the airplane during
his high-speed roll maneuvers was
amazing. Look for this top-shelf talent to
be a force at future contests of all types.
The 2009 XFC was quite a contest for the
competitors who flew rotary-winged
models. There was a 6-year-old pilot who
threw down some incredible flights, and a
16-year-old won the whole thing! I guess
youth rules these days.
The 6-year-old is the polite Justin Jee.
He has been working hard during the last
few years and is quickly becoming a toplevel
pilot. His dad, Benny, accompanied
him.
Sixteen-year-old Jamie Roberson won
the helicopter event with some of the most
radical flying ever seen. His T-Rex 700
performed flawlessly throughout the
weekend.
His teammate, Nick Maxwell, earned
second place, and Bobby Watts was on the
podium in the third spot. The points totals
separating the pilots were extremely close.
All of the contestants flew so great that it
was nearly impossible to judge them.
XFC Extras: The traditional barbecue
dinner was served Saturday evening, but
this year a band called the “Boat Drunks”
was hired to play music until dusk. That
was a nice touch to an already enjoyable
experience. Entertainment value is
important to the XFC staff, and it shows.
When it finally got dark, the Night Fly
competition began. An excellent fireworks
show closed the evening. The XFC
committee added the Team Competition
and the Night Fly in 2008.
This year’s contestants were even more
prepared to excel in the “after party” of
unique competitions. Several teams
worked together all year to perfect their
formation-flying displays.
Bobby Watts and Bert Kammerer flew
their helicopters to a Team Competition
win for the second year in a row. Their
precision choreography thrilled the
cheering crowd. Bobby also co-won the
Night Fly with Daniel Katzav.
The nighttime contest is judged by
crowd applause. After three or four rounds
of “cheer votes,” it was still a tie between
Bobby’s and Daniel’s exciting flights.
Bobby had a bevy of pyrotechniques to
augment his explosive routine. Daniel was
“daring in the dark” during his entire
flight. His model was so low that everyone
was sure he would plant it, but it prevailed
unscathed.
The XFC is the premier RC competition in
the world. It entertains and appeals to
virtually everyone. The spectators and
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 to many in a positive and exciting
way. Make plans to attend this incredible
show in June 2010. MA
Mark Fadely
[email protected]
Sources:
Futaba
(800) 637-7660
www.futabarc.com
XFC
www.futabarc.com/xfc-rc
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,24
MODELERS ENJOY THE sport
of miniature aviation in a myriad of
ways. What drives us to obsess
about undersized replicas of fullscale
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
The 2009
Futabaand
AMAsponsored
RC
show of
the year
Kyle Stacy had a “take no prisoners” attitude, which showed
in his aggressive flying. However, he was knocked out of the
top rankings by some rare in-flight mechanical problems.
Look out for this kid next year; he is on a mission.
Jason Danhakl has campaigned in IMAC and XFC
contests for years—always with a beautiful
AeroWorks model. This year, his primary model was
the 40% Yak-54 with a DA-170. The backup was a
35% Extra 260. He’s good with a helicopter too.
20 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Colin Bell’s Raptor 90 performed flawlessly during the
entire event. He and his dad, Stephen, live in Nova Scotia,
Canada, but they make it to several RC helicopter events in the
US each year.
JC Zankl, a first-time XFC competitor, put on an awesome show
with his T-Rex 700. JC lives just down the road in Anderson,
Indiana. He flew in the last-chance qualifier the Thursday before
the event began and made it in. JC’s hard work paid off with a
good showing when it mattered.
You never know what kind of surprise Matt Botos has in store. He flew his
helicopter near an exploding Roman candle in a segment of his flight. One
of the judging criteria is originality; Matt had to score a few extra points for
this unique presentation.
Justin Jee, 6, was the youngest pilot in this XFC, but he kept
up with the flock of top pilots. His T-Rex 700 dwarfs him in
this picture, but don’t let Justin’s small size fool you; this kid is
for real.
Futaba/Hobbico team pilots Sean McMurtry, Frank Noll, and Jason Noll
prepare their models for a team flight. The competition was fierce in the
event, which was in its second year as an XFC category.
Right: Gabriel Altuz traveled from Puerto Rico to compete. His
flights were akin to roller-coaster rides. Crowd members were
thrilled with each of Gabriel’s daring, fast, low aerial
performances. His rookie appearance at the XFC put his name
on the list of top world pilots.
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 11:01 AM Page 20
October 2009 21
Jamie Robertson swaggers back to the pits
after a killer flight. He is smiling big, because
he knows that he is in position to win. He is
only 16, so one can only imagine what the
future might hold for him.
As night falls on the XFC flightline, glow sticks, glow necklaces, and other personal lighting devices take over. This is a view of the
crowd as the Night Fly competition begins; hundreds of spectators were in attendance.
Above: Bert Kammerer lives in Orlando FL, so he gets to fly
year-round. He has risen through the ranks in recent years, to
become one of the top pilots in the world. New fliers sometimes
ask what it takes to fly in the XFC. Bert will tell them that he has
logged thousands of flights to be where he is today as a pilot.
Left: Nate Rice was ecstatic about being able to fly in the biggest
RC competition. He threw his Miniature Aircraft Stratus around to
a well-choreographed music score. Nate won a spot in the XFC by
entering and winning the International Amateur (IAN) contest,
which was held at the IRCHA Jamboree last year.
Team Thunder Tiger was out in force at this year’s XFC. It has a fabulous offering of
helicopters and airplanes that anyone can buy. This picture was taken on the tarmac at
the east end of the runway.
ore. He flew his
f his flight. One
extra points for
nd Jason Noll
s fierce in the
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 10:21 AM Page 21
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 worldclass
contest called the “Extreme Flight
Championships” (XFC).
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
winner took home a check for $5,000. That
makes all the preparation and practice
seem more worth it.
Since this competition includes two
first-place awards—one for airplanes and
one for helicopters—that makes the total
top prize $10,000. Even each second-place
finisher rakes in a cool $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. And this contest is not only for the
pilots. 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 has no conception of the
modern RC aircraft’s capabilities.
The invitational lasts for three days,
starting on Friday. On Thursday morning,
there is a last-chance qualifier competition;
it’s an opportunity for uninvited aspiring
helicopter or airplane pilots to fill a few
open spots in the roster.
The XFC organizers leave at least two
spots open in each category, and then each
hopeful flies a routine that must include at
least one of the mandatory maneuvers.
Those flights are judged, and the winners
fill the open positions. Then it is off to the
contest, bright and early at 8 a.m. the next
day.
Each helicopter and airplane pilot flies
one Known round that includes three
compulsory maneuvers designed by the
XFC committee. Then all pilots fly an
Unknown round that consists of a routine
that each pilot constructs for himself or
herself.
The same schedule is flown on
Saturday, with the best round of each
Known and Unknown tabulated. The top
seven pilots advance to the finals on
Sunday, in which two more rounds of
each type of schedule are flown to
determine the winner.
The vocal members of Team Thunder
Tiger, Team GTO (Go Team Orange),
and Team Santos never went unnoticed
during the intense competition. Dino
Spadacinni and Jeff Fassbinder of
Thunder Tiger cheered their airplane and
helicopter pilots on during each flight.
The closer the pilots flew their models to
the ground, the louder the screams would
get.
Team Santos was much the same.
Manuel Santos is an XFC airplane veteran
from Mexico. He often jumps with his fist
in the air after his spectacular flights.
Manuel’s entourage of supporters
travels with him, making the long trip to
the XFC every year. He finished 11th this
year, but he says that it is his 1st-place
trophy because he got to fly with his
friends.
Terry Hahn and the entire GTO group
put on a great show this year. Terry flew
his magnificent WACO turbine/
reciprocating-powered biplane in the
Team Competition. The Jimmy Franklin
replica looked and sounded fantastic
during GTO’s three-way team flight.
Jason Noll took home top honors in the
airplane category; it was his third XFC
24 MODEL AVIATION
2009 XFC Sponsors
win. He knew what was required to earn
the highest scores on the judges’ sheets.
“I’m not the flashiest or most exciting
pilot to watch during this competition, but
I make sure to cover all the aspects the
judges are looking for,” he said.
Jason’s style is precise and
predictable. He flew the only biplane in
the competition, which helped accentuate
the smooth lines of the figures he drew in
the sky. Jason has received a wealth of
knowledge from his father and mentor,
Frank Noll. Frank is a seasoned
competition pilot who knows all the tools
and tricks of the trade.
The young Seth Arnold made his
presence known with a solid second-place
finish in airplanes. His skills have
skyrocketed during the last few years. He
was fresh off of a win at the E-TOC
(Electric Tournament of Champions)
earlier in the year.
Seth’s control of the airplane during
his high-speed roll maneuvers was
amazing. Look for this top-shelf talent to
be a force at future contests of all types.
The 2009 XFC was quite a contest for the
competitors who flew rotary-winged
models. There was a 6-year-old pilot who
threw down some incredible flights, and a
16-year-old won the whole thing! I guess
youth rules these days.
The 6-year-old is the polite Justin Jee.
He has been working hard during the last
few years and is quickly becoming a toplevel
pilot. His dad, Benny, accompanied
him.
Sixteen-year-old Jamie Roberson won
the helicopter event with some of the most
radical flying ever seen. His T-Rex 700
performed flawlessly throughout the
weekend.
His teammate, Nick Maxwell, earned
second place, and Bobby Watts was on the
podium in the third spot. The points totals
separating the pilots were extremely close.
All of the contestants flew so great that it
was nearly impossible to judge them.
XFC Extras: The traditional barbecue
dinner was served Saturday evening, but
this year a band called the “Boat Drunks”
was hired to play music until dusk. That
was a nice touch to an already enjoyable
experience. Entertainment value is
important to the XFC staff, and it shows.
When it finally got dark, the Night Fly
competition began. An excellent fireworks
show closed the evening. The XFC
committee added the Team Competition
and the Night Fly in 2008.
This year’s contestants were even more
prepared to excel in the “after party” of
unique competitions. Several teams
worked together all year to perfect their
formation-flying displays.
Bobby Watts and Bert Kammerer flew
their helicopters to a Team Competition
win for the second year in a row. Their
precision choreography thrilled the
cheering crowd. Bobby also co-won the
Night Fly with Daniel Katzav.
The nighttime contest is judged by
crowd applause. After three or four rounds
of “cheer votes,” it was still a tie between
Bobby’s and Daniel’s exciting flights.
Bobby had a bevy of pyrotechniques to
augment his explosive routine. Daniel was
“daring in the dark” during his entire
flight. His model was so low that everyone
was sure he would plant it, but it prevailed
unscathed.
The XFC is the premier RC competition in
the world. It entertains and appeals to
virtually everyone. The spectators and
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 to many in a positive and exciting
way. Make plans to attend this incredible
show in June 2010. MA
Mark Fadely
[email protected]
Sources:
Futaba
(800) 637-7660
www.futabarc.com
XFC
www.futabarc.com/xfc-rc
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/10
Page Numbers: 16,17,18,19,20,21,22,24
MODELERS ENJOY THE sport
of miniature aviation in a myriad of
ways. What drives us to obsess
about undersized replicas of fullscale
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
The 2009
Futabaand
AMAsponsored
RC
show of
the year
Kyle Stacy had a “take no prisoners” attitude, which showed
in his aggressive flying. However, he was knocked out of the
top rankings by some rare in-flight mechanical problems.
Look out for this kid next year; he is on a mission.
Jason Danhakl has campaigned in IMAC and XFC
contests for years—always with a beautiful
AeroWorks model. This year, his primary model was
the 40% Yak-54 with a DA-170. The backup was a
35% Extra 260. He’s good with a helicopter too.
20 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Colin Bell’s Raptor 90 performed flawlessly during the
entire event. He and his dad, Stephen, live in Nova Scotia,
Canada, but they make it to several RC helicopter events in the
US each year.
JC Zankl, a first-time XFC competitor, put on an awesome show
with his T-Rex 700. JC lives just down the road in Anderson,
Indiana. He flew in the last-chance qualifier the Thursday before
the event began and made it in. JC’s hard work paid off with a
good showing when it mattered.
You never know what kind of surprise Matt Botos has in store. He flew his
helicopter near an exploding Roman candle in a segment of his flight. One
of the judging criteria is originality; Matt had to score a few extra points for
this unique presentation.
Justin Jee, 6, was the youngest pilot in this XFC, but he kept
up with the flock of top pilots. His T-Rex 700 dwarfs him in
this picture, but don’t let Justin’s small size fool you; this kid is
for real.
Futaba/Hobbico team pilots Sean McMurtry, Frank Noll, and Jason Noll
prepare their models for a team flight. The competition was fierce in the
event, which was in its second year as an XFC category.
Right: Gabriel Altuz traveled from Puerto Rico to compete. His
flights were akin to roller-coaster rides. Crowd members were
thrilled with each of Gabriel’s daring, fast, low aerial
performances. His rookie appearance at the XFC put his name
on the list of top world pilots.
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 11:01 AM Page 20
October 2009 21
Jamie Robertson swaggers back to the pits
after a killer flight. He is smiling big, because
he knows that he is in position to win. He is
only 16, so one can only imagine what the
future might hold for him.
As night falls on the XFC flightline, glow sticks, glow necklaces, and other personal lighting devices take over. This is a view of the
crowd as the Night Fly competition begins; hundreds of spectators were in attendance.
Above: Bert Kammerer lives in Orlando FL, so he gets to fly
year-round. He has risen through the ranks in recent years, to
become one of the top pilots in the world. New fliers sometimes
ask what it takes to fly in the XFC. Bert will tell them that he has
logged thousands of flights to be where he is today as a pilot.
Left: Nate Rice was ecstatic about being able to fly in the biggest
RC competition. He threw his Miniature Aircraft Stratus around to
a well-choreographed music score. Nate won a spot in the XFC by
entering and winning the International Amateur (IAN) contest,
which was held at the IRCHA Jamboree last year.
Team Thunder Tiger was out in force at this year’s XFC. It has a fabulous offering of
helicopters and airplanes that anyone can buy. This picture was taken on the tarmac at
the east end of the runway.
ore. He flew his
f his flight. One
extra points for
nd Jason Noll
s fierce in the
10sig1.QXD 8/24/09 10:21 AM Page 21
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 worldclass
contest called the “Extreme Flight
Championships” (XFC).
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
winner took home a check for $5,000. That
makes all the preparation and practice
seem more worth it.
Since this competition includes two
first-place awards—one for airplanes and
one for helicopters—that makes the total
top prize $10,000. Even each second-place
finisher rakes in a cool $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. And this contest is not only for the
pilots. 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 has no conception of the
modern RC aircraft’s capabilities.
The invitational lasts for three days,
starting on Friday. On Thursday morning,
there is a last-chance qualifier competition;
it’s an opportunity for uninvited aspiring
helicopter or airplane pilots to fill a few
open spots in the roster.
The XFC organizers leave at least two
spots open in each category, and then each
hopeful flies a routine that must include at
least one of the mandatory maneuvers.
Those flights are judged, and the winners
fill the open positions. Then it is off to the
contest, bright and early at 8 a.m. the next
day.
Each helicopter and airplane pilot flies
one Known round that includes three
compulsory maneuvers designed by the
XFC committee. Then all pilots fly an
Unknown round that consists of a routine
that each pilot constructs for himself or
herself.
The same schedule is flown on
Saturday, with the best round of each
Known and Unknown tabulated. The top
seven pilots advance to the finals on
Sunday, in which two more rounds of
each type of schedule are flown to
determine the winner.
The vocal members of Team Thunder
Tiger, Team GTO (Go Team Orange),
and Team Santos never went unnoticed
during the intense competition. Dino
Spadacinni and Jeff Fassbinder of
Thunder Tiger cheered their airplane and
helicopter pilots on during each flight.
The closer the pilots flew their models to
the ground, the louder the screams would
get.
Team Santos was much the same.
Manuel Santos is an XFC airplane veteran
from Mexico. He often jumps with his fist
in the air after his spectacular flights.
Manuel’s entourage of supporters
travels with him, making the long trip to
the XFC every year. He finished 11th this
year, but he says that it is his 1st-place
trophy because he got to fly with his
friends.
Terry Hahn and the entire GTO group
put on a great show this year. Terry flew
his magnificent WACO turbine/
reciprocating-powered biplane in the
Team Competition. The Jimmy Franklin
replica looked and sounded fantastic
during GTO’s three-way team flight.
Jason Noll took home top honors in the
airplane category; it was his third XFC
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win. He knew what was required to earn
the highest scores on the judges’ sheets.
“I’m not the flashiest or most exciting
pilot to watch during this competition, but
I make sure to cover all the aspects the
judges are looking for,” he said.
Jason’s style is precise and
predictable. He flew the only biplane in
the competition, which helped accentuate
the smooth lines of the figures he drew in
the sky. Jason has received a wealth of
knowledge from his father and mentor,
Frank Noll. Frank is a seasoned
competition pilot who knows all the tools
and tricks of the trade.
The young Seth Arnold made his
presence known with a solid second-place
finish in airplanes. His skills have
skyrocketed during the last few years. He
was fresh off of a win at the E-TOC
(Electric Tournament of Champions)
earlier in the year.
Seth’s control of the airplane during
his high-speed roll maneuvers was
amazing. Look for this top-shelf talent to
be a force at future contests of all types.
The 2009 XFC was quite a contest for the
competitors who flew rotary-winged
models. There was a 6-year-old pilot who
threw down some incredible flights, and a
16-year-old won the whole thing! I guess
youth rules these days.
The 6-year-old is the polite Justin Jee.
He has been working hard during the last
few years and is quickly becoming a toplevel
pilot. His dad, Benny, accompanied
him.
Sixteen-year-old Jamie Roberson won
the helicopter event with some of the most
radical flying ever seen. His T-Rex 700
performed flawlessly throughout the
weekend.
His teammate, Nick Maxwell, earned
second place, and Bobby Watts was on the
podium in the third spot. The points totals
separating the pilots were extremely close.
All of the contestants flew so great that it
was nearly impossible to judge them.
XFC Extras: The traditional barbecue
dinner was served Saturday evening, but
this year a band called the “Boat Drunks”
was hired to play music until dusk. That
was a nice touch to an already enjoyable
experience. Entertainment value is
important to the XFC staff, and it shows.
When it finally got dark, the Night Fly
competition began. An excellent fireworks
show closed the evening. The XFC
committee added the Team Competition
and the Night Fly in 2008.
This year’s contestants were even more
prepared to excel in the “after party” of
unique competitions. Several teams
worked together all year to perfect their
formation-flying displays.
Bobby Watts and Bert Kammerer flew
their helicopters to a Team Competition
win for the second year in a row. Their
precision choreography thrilled the
cheering crowd. Bobby also co-won the
Night Fly with Daniel Katzav.
The nighttime contest is judged by
crowd applause. After three or four rounds
of “cheer votes,” it was still a tie between
Bobby’s and Daniel’s exciting flights.
Bobby had a bevy of pyrotechniques to
augment his explosive routine. Daniel was
“daring in the dark” during his entire
flight. His model was so low that everyone
was sure he would plant it, but it prevailed
unscathed.
The XFC is the premier RC competition in
the world. It entertains and appeals to
virtually everyone. The spectators and
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 to many in a positive and exciting
way. Make plans to attend this incredible
show in June 2010. MA
Mark Fadely
[email protected]
Sources:
Futaba
(800) 637-7660
www.futabarc.com
XFC
www.futabarc.com/xfc-rc