The Heli Jambo

WELCOME TO THE 2010 IRCHA (International
Radio Controlled Helicopter Association) Jamboree
report. This event has a rich two-decade history of
attracting helicopter enthusiasts from far and wide. But
what is it all about?
A lot of flying, building, and repairing goes on during
the five-day event—held August 11-15 this year—but it is
the friendships that bring people back year after year. This
is the social mecca for RC helicopter pilots. The registered
pilot count rose to an unprecedented 960 in 2010.
Where do all of those helicopter addicts
come from? It is amazing how far some
travel to get to the International
Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie,
Indiana; they come from Japan, Germany,
Australia, Canada, and nearly every other
corner of the globe.
As the event has grown it has naturally
attracted retailers, because they can corral a
huge group of niche buyers at one locale.
That makes me think of the “shooting fish in
a barrel” metaphor.
The 1/2-mile-long midway was chock-full
of booths that catered to all facets of
helicopters. It is smart to start saving early in
the year for a Jamboree shopping spree.
There are so many things that a pilot has to
have.
From the moment my eyes spotted the
flightline, I felt a jaw-dropping sense of awe.
Hundreds of tents and thousands of
helicopters dotted the horizon.
It was incredibly hot and humid too. A
thick layer of fog obscured sultry morning
sunrises. The sun poked through later, as
temperatures climbed well into the 90s.
IRCHA President Dave Millner and his
staff worked like dogs the entire week to
make sure that every pilot had a top-notch
experience. Each year I ask Dave why he
keeps doing it, and each year he says that it’s
because he loves to see all of the pilots come
together and have a great time. Good times
are what it’s about.
Large groups of pilots come from their
homes to stake out a small plot of Jamboree
real estate for the week. Then they connect
their canopy covers into a small “village” that
becomes home base for the group.
Some attendees even dress in a common
color to display their solidarity. There is
something special that goes on at this
gathering.
Pilots spend a lot of their time helping
each other. If there is ever world peace, I am
sure it will begin at the IRCHA Jamboree.
Okay, that might be going a bit too far, but
the place is filled to the brim with good
people and good times.
Even though the atmosphere is one of the
friendliest anywhere, some people still feel
uncomfortable about attending this event.
Many helicopter enthusiasts have considered
making the trek but have never followed
through.
One thing I hear that keeps people away
is the intimidation factor. The best pilots in
the world congregate at the Jamboree every
year.
Everyone seems to be a pro when you
look down the flightline. It can make a
newer pilot extremely uncomfortable when
he or she sees the person on the next flight
station throw down a routine that was
performed at the Extreme Flight
Championships.
There were quite a few first-time visitors
this year, and all of them said that everyone
they met was friendly. I thought it would be
interesting to interview a few Jamboree firsttimers
to get an idea of how well they were
received at the event. I spotted a couple of
newbies and wasted no time.
Blaine Johnson traveled from his home in
Minnesota to see the IRCHA gathering. He
had spent many years thinking about coming
down, but this year he joined the fun. I
caught up with Blaine on the flightline
immediately after he had flown.
IRCHA Jamboree Sponsors
Diamond and Platinum
Empire Hobby
Gaui Helicopters
Spektrum RC
JR
Outrage RC
Mikado Model Helicopters
Avant
Gold
Rotor Rage Fuels
Bergen R/C Helicopters
HeliWholesaler
HeliCommand
Experience RC
Castle Creations
Edge Rotor Blades
He said that he did not feel intimidated
to fly, because he flies with a few good
pilots back in Minnesota. He thought he
might as well get shown up at this event
rather than at home. On a serious note, he
commented that all of the pilots were quick
to welcome him and to offer him any help
he needed.
I found first-timer Mark Manly having a
blast flying his Blade 400. He wasn’t
scared off by all of the 90-size helicopters
on the flightline, and he had a big smile on
his face after his flight.
Mark is 47 years old and lives in Mount
Pleasant, Michigan. This is his second year
flying helicopters, and he said that he
would like to attend the Jamboree each
year.
After flying RC airplanes for more than
40 years, Mark decided to try helicopters
because they seemed more challenging. He
is happy he did, because RC is more fun
than ever for him now.
Mark encourages everyone to make the
trip to this event. He claimed that you don’t
even have to bring a helicopter. He said
that you can find everything you need at
the venue, so you can buy a model and start
flying once you get there.
There is so much to do and see at this
event that it can be overwhelming.
Following is how a pilot’s Saturday might
have gone at this year’s Jamboree.
8 a.m.: Arrive at the IAC and soak in the
beauty for a few minutes.
8:15 a.m.: Get your helicopter out and
make that all-important first flight (without
a crash, it is hoped).
8:30 a.m.: Set up your stuff in your
canopy/shelter area.
9 a.m.: Attend the ever-popular pilots’
meeting.
10 a.m.: Find the list of seminars and listen
to great information from the experts.
11 a.m.: Have an early lunch (a Bison
Burger if you dare). Eat quickly and get to
center stage.
12 p.m.: Stake out a good spot to watch the
fantastic demonstration flights. This year
there was an excellent “One” contest
(described in the following).
1 p.m.: Ride on a golf cart to sites 2 and 3
to see the FAI practice, and then continue
on to the National Model Aviation Museum
on-site. There is also a fully stocked hobby
shop just off of the IAC; turn into the bean
field near Site 1 and you’re there. Wow!
This place is unbelievable!
3 p.m.: Go get your model and fly.
Remember that you want to tell pilots back
home that you were tearing up the sky at
the IRCHA Jamboree.
4 p.m.: Find someone with an airconditioned
RV and ask if you can come in
for a quick nap. Just kidding!
5 p.m.: Stroll down the midway and buy a
few of those items you promised you
wouldn’t.
6 p.m.: Eat the tastiest barbecue, catered
from the Outback Steakhouse.
7 p.m.: Get in a couple more flights before
dark.
8 p.m.: Round up all of your friends and
prepare to watch the night-fly and fireworks.
11:30 p.m.: Leave the 1,000-acre AMA
property with a burning urge to do it again
next year.
Does that sound like fun?
This was my 15th consecutive year of
attending the IRCHA Jamboree. I love it as
much today as ever.
Empire Hobby and Gaui teamed up to
bring Jamboree attendees something new
this year: the One World Champion
contest. The idea was for the seven top
fliers in the world to perform a 7-minute
flight in competition for a $7,000 prize.
They were excited about this first-time
opportunity.
Bobby Watts, Kyle Dahl, Nick
Maxwell, Kyle Stacy, Daniel Katzav,
Andriano Neto, and Matt Botos were
selected for this contest, which was held at
center stage in place of the noon demo on
Saturday.
All of the pilots flew as if their heads
would explode if they didn’t lay down
everything they knew about helicopters. I
mean the heads on their helicopters and on
their shoulders.
According to the rules, any flight
exceeding 31/2 minutes scored. That meant
that a pilot who crashed at the 5-minute mark
still had a good chance of winning.
The One contest was thrilling, and Bobby
Watts came out on top. His caller and good
friend, Rick Vinas, did an amazing job of
choreographing a dance routine that was
synced to Bobby’s flying. Bobby ripped his
flybarless Miniature Aircraft Furion 6 across
the flying field in an incredible display of his
skills and the machine’s capabilities.
Rick got the crowd going by encouraging
everyone to get into the performance. He
played “air guitar” and even added a tribute to
Michael Jackson with an excellent moonwalk.
Congratulations to both Bobby and Rick for
the most entertaining performance at an
IRCHA Jamboree.
When Bobby was presented with the
winning trophy and the briefcase with $7,000,
he did an incredible thing; he kept the trophy
but donated the entire cash prize to the
Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Bobby is a class act! Thanks to him for
setting such a good example.
HeliWholesaler sponsored the Autorotation
Contest, which Ray Stacy managed. The
response was tremendous, with 20 pilots
signing up to risk their machines in an
unpowered descent to a spot landing.
Following are the winners and their prizes.
1. J.C. Zankl, Miniature Aircraft Furion 6
2. Raja Bortsch, HeliCommand control unit
3. Andrew Merlino, Heli-Max Novus 125
CP
4. James Haley, Heli-Max Novus 125 CP
Each year the Jamboree takes on a different
mood. Last year there was an infatuation with
vintage machines, with dozens of 30-year-old
models on display. This year attendees seemed
to be focused on the future.
Newer, even more high-tech models were
the topic of many discussions. Power-toweight
ratios we are seeing in helicopters these
days are astounding. Electric-powered
helicopters are carving out their niche,
especially in competition. However, many
pilots have switched back to nitro-powered
machines after owning larger electrics.
The helicopter-buying public is advancing
and figuring out what works for the individual
pilot. With so many great helicopters on the
market, it is difficult to say which is the best
anymore.
The main thing is to get out and fly, meet
pilots you can build relationships with, and
plan on being in the hobby for a long time. It is
said that you will live longer if you have a
hobby you love.
If you have never been to the IRCHA
Jamboree, make plans right now to attend in
2011. It is the pinnacle of everything RC
helicopter. MA

WELCOME TO THE 2010 IRCHA (International
Radio Controlled Helicopter Association) Jamboree
report. This event has a rich two-decade history of
attracting helicopter enthusiasts from far and wide. But
what is it all about?
A lot of flying, building, and repairing goes on during
the five-day event—held August 11-15 this year—but it is
the friendships that bring people back year after year. This
is the social mecca for RC helicopter pilots. The registered
pilot count rose to an unprecedented 960 in 2010.
Where do all of those helicopter addicts
come from? It is amazing how far some
travel to get to the International
Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie,
Indiana; they come from Japan, Germany,
Australia, Canada, and nearly every other
corner of the globe.
As the event has grown it has naturally
attracted retailers, because they can corral a
huge group of niche buyers at one locale.
That makes me think of the “shooting fish in
a barrel” metaphor.
The 1/2-mile-long midway was chock-full
of booths that catered to all facets of
helicopters. It is smart to start saving early in
the year for a Jamboree shopping spree.
There are so many things that a pilot has to
have.
From the moment my eyes spotted the
flightline, I felt a jaw-dropping sense of awe.
Hundreds of tents and thousands of
helicopters dotted the horizon.
It was incredibly hot and humid too. A
thick layer of fog obscured sultry morning
sunrises. The sun poked through later, as
temperatures climbed well into the 90s.
IRCHA President Dave Millner and his
staff worked like dogs the entire week to
make sure that every pilot had a top-notch
experience. Each year I ask Dave why he
keeps doing it, and each year he says that it’s
because he loves to see all of the pilots come
together and have a great time. Good times
are what it’s about.
Large groups of pilots come from their
homes to stake out a small plot of Jamboree
real estate for the week. Then they connect
their canopy covers into a small “village” that
becomes home base for the group.
Some attendees even dress in a common
color to display their solidarity. There is
something special that goes on at this
gathering.
Pilots spend a lot of their time helping
each other. If there is ever world peace, I am
sure it will begin at the IRCHA Jamboree.
Okay, that might be going a bit too far, but
the place is filled to the brim with good
people and good times.
Even though the atmosphere is one of the
friendliest anywhere, some people still feel
uncomfortable about attending this event.
Many helicopter enthusiasts have considered
making the trek but have never followed
through.
One thing I hear that keeps people away
is the intimidation factor. The best pilots in
the world congregate at the Jamboree every
year.
Everyone seems to be a pro when you
look down the flightline. It can make a
newer pilot extremely uncomfortable when
he or she sees the person on the next flight
station throw down a routine that was
performed at the Extreme Flight
Championships.
There were quite a few first-time visitors
this year, and all of them said that everyone
they met was friendly. I thought it would be
interesting to interview a few Jamboree firsttimers
to get an idea of how well they were
received at the event. I spotted a couple of
newbies and wasted no time.
Blaine Johnson traveled from his home in
Minnesota to see the IRCHA gathering. He
had spent many years thinking about coming
down, but this year he joined the fun. I
caught up with Blaine on the flightline
immediately after he had flown.
IRCHA Jamboree Sponsors
Diamond and Platinum
Empire Hobby
Gaui Helicopters
Spektrum RC
JR
Outrage RC
Mikado Model Helicopters
Avant
Gold
Rotor Rage Fuels
Bergen R/C Helicopters
HeliWholesaler
HeliCommand
Experience RC
Castle Creations
Edge Rotor Blades
He said that he did not feel intimidated
to fly, because he flies with a few good
pilots back in Minnesota. He thought he
might as well get shown up at this event
rather than at home. On a serious note, he
commented that all of the pilots were quick
to welcome him and to offer him any help
he needed.
I found first-timer Mark Manly having a
blast flying his Blade 400. He wasn’t
scared off by all of the 90-size helicopters
on the flightline, and he had a big smile on
his face after his flight.
Mark is 47 years old and lives in Mount
Pleasant, Michigan. This is his second year
flying helicopters, and he said that he
would like to attend the Jamboree each
year.
After flying RC airplanes for more than
40 years, Mark decided to try helicopters
because they seemed more challenging. He
is happy he did, because RC is more fun
than ever for him now.
Mark encourages everyone to make the
trip to this event. He claimed that you don’t
even have to bring a helicopter. He said
that you can find everything you need at
the venue, so you can buy a model and start
flying once you get there.
There is so much to do and see at this
event that it can be overwhelming.
Following is how a pilot’s Saturday might
have gone at this year’s Jamboree.
8 a.m.: Arrive at the IAC and soak in the
beauty for a few minutes.
8:15 a.m.: Get your helicopter out and
make that all-important first flight (without
a crash, it is hoped).
8:30 a.m.: Set up your stuff in your
canopy/shelter area.
9 a.m.: Attend the ever-popular pilots’
meeting.
10 a.m.: Find the list of seminars and listen
to great information from the experts.
11 a.m.: Have an early lunch (a Bison
Burger if you dare). Eat quickly and get to
center stage.
12 p.m.: Stake out a good spot to watch the
fantastic demonstration flights. This year
there was an excellent “One” contest
(described in the following).
1 p.m.: Ride on a golf cart to sites 2 and 3
to see the FAI practice, and then continue
on to the National Model Aviation Museum
on-site. There is also a fully stocked hobby
shop just off of the IAC; turn into the bean
field near Site 1 and you’re there. Wow!
This place is unbelievable!
3 p.m.: Go get your model and fly.
Remember that you want to tell pilots back
home that you were tearing up the sky at
the IRCHA Jamboree.
4 p.m.: Find someone with an airconditioned
RV and ask if you can come in
for a quick nap. Just kidding!
5 p.m.: Stroll down the midway and buy a
few of those items you promised you
wouldn’t.
6 p.m.: Eat the tastiest barbecue, catered
from the Outback Steakhouse.
7 p.m.: Get in a couple more flights before
dark.
8 p.m.: Round up all of your friends and
prepare to watch the night-fly and fireworks.
11:30 p.m.: Leave the 1,000-acre AMA
property with a burning urge to do it again
next year.
Does that sound like fun?
This was my 15th consecutive year of
attending the IRCHA Jamboree. I love it as
much today as ever.
Empire Hobby and Gaui teamed up to
bring Jamboree attendees something new
this year: the One World Champion
contest. The idea was for the seven top
fliers in the world to perform a 7-minute
flight in competition for a $7,000 prize.
They were excited about this first-time
opportunity.
Bobby Watts, Kyle Dahl, Nick
Maxwell, Kyle Stacy, Daniel Katzav,
Andriano Neto, and Matt Botos were
selected for this contest, which was held at
center stage in place of the noon demo on
Saturday.
All of the pilots flew as if their heads
would explode if they didn’t lay down
everything they knew about helicopters. I
mean the heads on their helicopters and on
their shoulders.
According to the rules, any flight
exceeding 31/2 minutes scored. That meant
that a pilot who crashed at the 5-minute mark
still had a good chance of winning.
The One contest was thrilling, and Bobby
Watts came out on top. His caller and good
friend, Rick Vinas, did an amazing job of
choreographing a dance routine that was
synced to Bobby’s flying. Bobby ripped his
flybarless Miniature Aircraft Furion 6 across
the flying field in an incredible display of his
skills and the machine’s capabilities.
Rick got the crowd going by encouraging
everyone to get into the performance. He
played “air guitar” and even added a tribute to
Michael Jackson with an excellent moonwalk.
Congratulations to both Bobby and Rick for
the most entertaining performance at an
IRCHA Jamboree.
When Bobby was presented with the
winning trophy and the briefcase with $7,000,
he did an incredible thing; he kept the trophy
but donated the entire cash prize to the
Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Bobby is a class act! Thanks to him for
setting such a good example.
HeliWholesaler sponsored the Autorotation
Contest, which Ray Stacy managed. The
response was tremendous, with 20 pilots
signing up to risk their machines in an
unpowered descent to a spot landing.
Following are the winners and their prizes.
1. J.C. Zankl, Miniature Aircraft Furion 6
2. Raja Bortsch, HeliCommand control unit
3. Andrew Merlino, Heli-Max Novus 125
CP
4. James Haley, Heli-Max Novus 125 CP
Each year the Jamboree takes on a different
mood. Last year there was an infatuation with
vintage machines, with dozens of 30-year-old
models on display. This year attendees seemed
to be focused on the future.
Newer, even more high-tech models were
the topic of many discussions. Power-toweight
ratios we are seeing in helicopters these
days are astounding. Electric-powered
helicopters are carving out their niche,
especially in competition. However, many
pilots have switched back to nitro-powered
machines after owning larger electrics.
The helicopter-buying public is advancing
and figuring out what works for the individual
pilot. With so many great helicopters on the
market, it is difficult to say which is the best
anymore.
The main thing is to get out and fly, meet
pilots you can build relationships with, and
plan on being in the hobby for a long time. It is
said that you will live longer if you have a
hobby you love.
If you have never been to the IRCHA
Jamboree, make plans right now to attend in
2011. It is the pinnacle of everything RC
helicopter. MA

WELCOME TO THE 2010 IRCHA (International
Radio Controlled Helicopter Association) Jamboree
report. This event has a rich two-decade history of
attracting helicopter enthusiasts from far and wide. But
what is it all about?
A lot of flying, building, and repairing goes on during
the five-day event—held August 11-15 this year—but it is
the friendships that bring people back year after year. This
is the social mecca for RC helicopter pilots. The registered
pilot count rose to an unprecedented 960 in 2010.
Where do all of those helicopter addicts
come from? It is amazing how far some
travel to get to the International
Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie,
Indiana; they come from Japan, Germany,
Australia, Canada, and nearly every other
corner of the globe.
As the event has grown it has naturally
attracted retailers, because they can corral a
huge group of niche buyers at one locale.
That makes me think of the “shooting fish in
a barrel” metaphor.
The 1/2-mile-long midway was chock-full
of booths that catered to all facets of
helicopters. It is smart to start saving early in
the year for a Jamboree shopping spree.
There are so many things that a pilot has to
have.
From the moment my eyes spotted the
flightline, I felt a jaw-dropping sense of awe.
Hundreds of tents and thousands of
helicopters dotted the horizon.
It was incredibly hot and humid too. A
thick layer of fog obscured sultry morning
sunrises. The sun poked through later, as
temperatures climbed well into the 90s.
IRCHA President Dave Millner and his
staff worked like dogs the entire week to
make sure that every pilot had a top-notch
experience. Each year I ask Dave why he
keeps doing it, and each year he says that it’s
because he loves to see all of the pilots come
together and have a great time. Good times
are what it’s about.
Large groups of pilots come from their
homes to stake out a small plot of Jamboree
real estate for the week. Then they connect
their canopy covers into a small “village” that
becomes home base for the group.
Some attendees even dress in a common
color to display their solidarity. There is
something special that goes on at this
gathering.
Pilots spend a lot of their time helping
each other. If there is ever world peace, I am
sure it will begin at the IRCHA Jamboree.
Okay, that might be going a bit too far, but
the place is filled to the brim with good
people and good times.
Even though the atmosphere is one of the
friendliest anywhere, some people still feel
uncomfortable about attending this event.
Many helicopter enthusiasts have considered
making the trek but have never followed
through.
One thing I hear that keeps people away
is the intimidation factor. The best pilots in
the world congregate at the Jamboree every
year.
Everyone seems to be a pro when you
look down the flightline. It can make a
newer pilot extremely uncomfortable when
he or she sees the person on the next flight
station throw down a routine that was
performed at the Extreme Flight
Championships.
There were quite a few first-time visitors
this year, and all of them said that everyone
they met was friendly. I thought it would be
interesting to interview a few Jamboree firsttimers
to get an idea of how well they were
received at the event. I spotted a couple of
newbies and wasted no time.
Blaine Johnson traveled from his home in
Minnesota to see the IRCHA gathering. He
had spent many years thinking about coming
down, but this year he joined the fun. I
caught up with Blaine on the flightline
immediately after he had flown.
IRCHA Jamboree Sponsors
Diamond and Platinum
Empire Hobby
Gaui Helicopters
Spektrum RC
JR
Outrage RC
Mikado Model Helicopters
Avant
Gold
Rotor Rage Fuels
Bergen R/C Helicopters
HeliWholesaler
HeliCommand
Experience RC
Castle Creations
Edge Rotor Blades
He said that he did not feel intimidated
to fly, because he flies with a few good
pilots back in Minnesota. He thought he
might as well get shown up at this event
rather than at home. On a serious note, he
commented that all of the pilots were quick
to welcome him and to offer him any help
he needed.
I found first-timer Mark Manly having a
blast flying his Blade 400. He wasn’t
scared off by all of the 90-size helicopters
on the flightline, and he had a big smile on
his face after his flight.
Mark is 47 years old and lives in Mount
Pleasant, Michigan. This is his second year
flying helicopters, and he said that he
would like to attend the Jamboree each
year.
After flying RC airplanes for more than
40 years, Mark decided to try helicopters
because they seemed more challenging. He
is happy he did, because RC is more fun
than ever for him now.
Mark encourages everyone to make the
trip to this event. He claimed that you don’t
even have to bring a helicopter. He said
that you can find everything you need at
the venue, so you can buy a model and start
flying once you get there.
There is so much to do and see at this
event that it can be overwhelming.
Following is how a pilot’s Saturday might
have gone at this year’s Jamboree.
8 a.m.: Arrive at the IAC and soak in the
beauty for a few minutes.
8:15 a.m.: Get your helicopter out and
make that all-important first flight (without
a crash, it is hoped).
8:30 a.m.: Set up your stuff in your
canopy/shelter area.
9 a.m.: Attend the ever-popular pilots’
meeting.
10 a.m.: Find the list of seminars and listen
to great information from the experts.
11 a.m.: Have an early lunch (a Bison
Burger if you dare). Eat quickly and get to
center stage.
12 p.m.: Stake out a good spot to watch the
fantastic demonstration flights. This year
there was an excellent “One” contest
(described in the following).
1 p.m.: Ride on a golf cart to sites 2 and 3
to see the FAI practice, and then continue
on to the National Model Aviation Museum
on-site. There is also a fully stocked hobby
shop just off of the IAC; turn into the bean
field near Site 1 and you’re there. Wow!
This place is unbelievable!
3 p.m.: Go get your model and fly.
Remember that you want to tell pilots back
home that you were tearing up the sky at
the IRCHA Jamboree.
4 p.m.: Find someone with an airconditioned
RV and ask if you can come in
for a quick nap. Just kidding!
5 p.m.: Stroll down the midway and buy a
few of those items you promised you
wouldn’t.
6 p.m.: Eat the tastiest barbecue, catered
from the Outback Steakhouse.
7 p.m.: Get in a couple more flights before
dark.
8 p.m.: Round up all of your friends and
prepare to watch the night-fly and fireworks.
11:30 p.m.: Leave the 1,000-acre AMA
property with a burning urge to do it again
next year.
Does that sound like fun?
This was my 15th consecutive year of
attending the IRCHA Jamboree. I love it as
much today as ever.
Empire Hobby and Gaui teamed up to
bring Jamboree attendees something new
this year: the One World Champion
contest. The idea was for the seven top
fliers in the world to perform a 7-minute
flight in competition for a $7,000 prize.
They were excited about this first-time
opportunity.
Bobby Watts, Kyle Dahl, Nick
Maxwell, Kyle Stacy, Daniel Katzav,
Andriano Neto, and Matt Botos were
selected for this contest, which was held at
center stage in place of the noon demo on
Saturday.
All of the pilots flew as if their heads
would explode if they didn’t lay down
everything they knew about helicopters. I
mean the heads on their helicopters and on
their shoulders.
According to the rules, any flight
exceeding 31/2 minutes scored. That meant
that a pilot who crashed at the 5-minute mark
still had a good chance of winning.
The One contest was thrilling, and Bobby
Watts came out on top. His caller and good
friend, Rick Vinas, did an amazing job of
choreographing a dance routine that was
synced to Bobby’s flying. Bobby ripped his
flybarless Miniature Aircraft Furion 6 across
the flying field in an incredible display of his
skills and the machine’s capabilities.
Rick got the crowd going by encouraging
everyone to get into the performance. He
played “air guitar” and even added a tribute to
Michael Jackson with an excellent moonwalk.
Congratulations to both Bobby and Rick for
the most entertaining performance at an
IRCHA Jamboree.
When Bobby was presented with the
winning trophy and the briefcase with $7,000,
he did an incredible thing; he kept the trophy
but donated the entire cash prize to the
Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Bobby is a class act! Thanks to him for
setting such a good example.
HeliWholesaler sponsored the Autorotation
Contest, which Ray Stacy managed. The
response was tremendous, with 20 pilots
signing up to risk their machines in an
unpowered descent to a spot landing.
Following are the winners and their prizes.
1. J.C. Zankl, Miniature Aircraft Furion 6
2. Raja Bortsch, HeliCommand control unit
3. Andrew Merlino, Heli-Max Novus 125
CP
4. James Haley, Heli-Max Novus 125 CP
Each year the Jamboree takes on a different
mood. Last year there was an infatuation with
vintage machines, with dozens of 30-year-old
models on display. This year attendees seemed
to be focused on the future.
Newer, even more high-tech models were
the topic of many discussions. Power-toweight
ratios we are seeing in helicopters these
days are astounding. Electric-powered
helicopters are carving out their niche,
especially in competition. However, many
pilots have switched back to nitro-powered
machines after owning larger electrics.
The helicopter-buying public is advancing
and figuring out what works for the individual
pilot. With so many great helicopters on the
market, it is difficult to say which is the best
anymore.
The main thing is to get out and fly, meet
pilots you can build relationships with, and
plan on being in the hobby for a long time. It is
said that you will live longer if you have a
hobby you love.
If you have never been to the IRCHA
Jamboree, make plans right now to attend in
2011. It is the pinnacle of everything RC
helicopter. MA

WELCOME TO THE 2010 IRCHA (International
Radio Controlled Helicopter Association) Jamboree
report. This event has a rich two-decade history of
attracting helicopter enthusiasts from far and wide. But
what is it all about?
A lot of flying, building, and repairing goes on during
the five-day event—held August 11-15 this year—but it is
the friendships that bring people back year after year. This
is the social mecca for RC helicopter pilots. The registered
pilot count rose to an unprecedented 960 in 2010.
Where do all of those helicopter addicts
come from? It is amazing how far some
travel to get to the International
Aeromodeling Center (IAC) in Muncie,
Indiana; they come from Japan, Germany,
Australia, Canada, and nearly every other
corner of the globe.
As the event has grown it has naturally
attracted retailers, because they can corral a
huge group of niche buyers at one locale.
That makes me think of the “shooting fish in
a barrel” metaphor.
The 1/2-mile-long midway was chock-full
of booths that catered to all facets of
helicopters. It is smart to start saving early in
the year for a Jamboree shopping spree.
There are so many things that a pilot has to
have.
From the moment my eyes spotted the
flightline, I felt a jaw-dropping sense of awe.
Hundreds of tents and thousands of
helicopters dotted the horizon.
It was incredibly hot and humid too. A
thick layer of fog obscured sultry morning
sunrises. The sun poked through later, as
temperatures climbed well into the 90s.
IRCHA President Dave Millner and his
staff worked like dogs the entire week to
make sure that every pilot had a top-notch
experience. Each year I ask Dave why he
keeps doing it, and each year he says that it’s
because he loves to see all of the pilots come
together and have a great time. Good times
are what it’s about.
Large groups of pilots come from their
homes to stake out a small plot of Jamboree
real estate for the week. Then they connect
their canopy covers into a small “village” that
becomes home base for the group.
Some attendees even dress in a common
color to display their solidarity. There is
something special that goes on at this
gathering.
Pilots spend a lot of their time helping
each other. If there is ever world peace, I am
sure it will begin at the IRCHA Jamboree.
Okay, that might be going a bit too far, but
the place is filled to the brim with good
people and good times.
Even though the atmosphere is one of the
friendliest anywhere, some people still feel
uncomfortable about attending this event.
Many helicopter enthusiasts have considered
making the trek but have never followed
through.
One thing I hear that keeps people away
is the intimidation factor. The best pilots in
the world congregate at the Jamboree every
year.
Everyone seems to be a pro when you
look down the flightline. It can make a
newer pilot extremely uncomfortable when
he or she sees the person on the next flight
station throw down a routine that was
performed at the Extreme Flight
Championships.
There were quite a few first-time visitors
this year, and all of them said that everyone
they met was friendly. I thought it would be
interesting to interview a few Jamboree firsttimers
to get an idea of how well they were
received at the event. I spotted a couple of
newbies and wasted no time.
Blaine Johnson traveled from his home in
Minnesota to see the IRCHA gathering. He
had spent many years thinking about coming
down, but this year he joined the fun. I
caught up with Blaine on the flightline
immediately after he had flown.
IRCHA Jamboree Sponsors
Diamond and Platinum
Empire Hobby
Gaui Helicopters
Spektrum RC
JR
Outrage RC
Mikado Model Helicopters
Avant
Gold
Rotor Rage Fuels
Bergen R/C Helicopters
HeliWholesaler
HeliCommand
Experience RC
Castle Creations
Edge Rotor Blades
He said that he did not feel intimidated
to fly, because he flies with a few good
pilots back in Minnesota. He thought he
might as well get shown up at this event
rather than at home. On a serious note, he
commented that all of the pilots were quick
to welcome him and to offer him any help
he needed.
I found first-timer Mark Manly having a
blast flying his Blade 400. He wasn’t
scared off by all of the 90-size helicopters
on the flightline, and he had a big smile on
his face after his flight.
Mark is 47 years old and lives in Mount
Pleasant, Michigan. This is his second year
flying helicopters, and he said that he
would like to attend the Jamboree each
year.
After flying RC airplanes for more than
40 years, Mark decided to try helicopters
because they seemed more challenging. He
is happy he did, because RC is more fun
than ever for him now.
Mark encourages everyone to make the
trip to this event. He claimed that you don’t
even have to bring a helicopter. He said
that you can find everything you need at
the venue, so you can buy a model and start
flying once you get there.
There is so much to do and see at this
event that it can be overwhelming.
Following is how a pilot’s Saturday might
have gone at this year’s Jamboree.
8 a.m.: Arrive at the IAC and soak in the
beauty for a few minutes.
8:15 a.m.: Get your helicopter out and
make that all-important first flight (without
a crash, it is hoped).
8:30 a.m.: Set up your stuff in your
canopy/shelter area.
9 a.m.: Attend the ever-popular pilots’
meeting.
10 a.m.: Find the list of seminars and listen
to great information from the experts.
11 a.m.: Have an early lunch (a Bison
Burger if you dare). Eat quickly and get to
center stage.
12 p.m.: Stake out a good spot to watch the
fantastic demonstration flights. This year
there was an excellent “One” contest
(described in the following).
1 p.m.: Ride on a golf cart to sites 2 and 3
to see the FAI practice, and then continue
on to the National Model Aviation Museum
on-site. There is also a fully stocked hobby
shop just off of the IAC; turn into the bean
field near Site 1 and you’re there. Wow!
This place is unbelievable!
3 p.m.: Go get your model and fly.
Remember that you want to tell pilots back
home that you were tearing up the sky at
the IRCHA Jamboree.
4 p.m.: Find someone with an airconditioned
RV and ask if you can come in
for a quick nap. Just kidding!
5 p.m.: Stroll down the midway and buy a
few of those items you promised you
wouldn’t.
6 p.m.: Eat the tastiest barbecue, catered
from the Outback Steakhouse.
7 p.m.: Get in a couple more flights before
dark.
8 p.m.: Round up all of your friends and
prepare to watch the night-fly and fireworks.
11:30 p.m.: Leave the 1,000-acre AMA
property with a burning urge to do it again
next year.
Does that sound like fun?
This was my 15th consecutive year of
attending the IRCHA Jamboree. I love it as
much today as ever.
Empire Hobby and Gaui teamed up to
bring Jamboree attendees something new
this year: the One World Champion
contest. The idea was for the seven top
fliers in the world to perform a 7-minute
flight in competition for a $7,000 prize.
They were excited about this first-time
opportunity.
Bobby Watts, Kyle Dahl, Nick
Maxwell, Kyle Stacy, Daniel Katzav,
Andriano Neto, and Matt Botos were
selected for this contest, which was held at
center stage in place of the noon demo on
Saturday.
All of the pilots flew as if their heads
would explode if they didn’t lay down
everything they knew about helicopters. I
mean the heads on their helicopters and on
their shoulders.
According to the rules, any flight
exceeding 31/2 minutes scored. That meant
that a pilot who crashed at the 5-minute mark
still had a good chance of winning.
The One contest was thrilling, and Bobby
Watts came out on top. His caller and good
friend, Rick Vinas, did an amazing job of
choreographing a dance routine that was
synced to Bobby’s flying. Bobby ripped his
flybarless Miniature Aircraft Furion 6 across
the flying field in an incredible display of his
skills and the machine’s capabilities.
Rick got the crowd going by encouraging
everyone to get into the performance. He
played “air guitar” and even added a tribute to
Michael Jackson with an excellent moonwalk.
Congratulations to both Bobby and Rick for
the most entertaining performance at an
IRCHA Jamboree.
When Bobby was presented with the
winning trophy and the briefcase with $7,000,
he did an incredible thing; he kept the trophy
but donated the entire cash prize to the
Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Bobby is a class act! Thanks to him for
setting such a good example.
HeliWholesaler sponsored the Autorotation
Contest, which Ray Stacy managed. The
response was tremendous, with 20 pilots
signing up to risk their machines in an
unpowered descent to a spot landing.
Following are the winners and their prizes.
1. J.C. Zankl, Miniature Aircraft Furion 6
2. Raja Bortsch, HeliCommand control unit
3. Andrew Merlino, Heli-Max Novus 125
CP
4. James Haley, Heli-Max Novus 125 CP
Each year the Jamboree takes on a different
mood. Last year there was an infatuation with
vintage machines, with dozens of 30-year-old
models on display. This year attendees seemed
to be focused on the future.
Newer, even more high-tech models were
the topic of many discussions. Power-toweight
ratios we are seeing in helicopters these
days are astounding. Electric-powered
helicopters are carving out their niche,
especially in competition. However, many
pilots have switched back to nitro-powered
machines after owning larger electrics.
The helicopter-buying public is advancing
and figuring out what works for the individual
pilot. With so many great helicopters on the
market, it is difficult to say which is the best
anymore.
The main thing is to get out and fly, meet
pilots you can build relationships with, and
plan on being in the hobby for a long time. It is
said that you will live longer if you have a
hobby you love.
If you have never been to the IRCHA
Jamboree, make plans right now to attend in
2011. It is the pinnacle of everything RC
helicopter. MA