Hobbico E-Fest - 2012/06
Each year there are significant events we look forward to, dream about, and plan for. For several hundred avid pilots, E-Fest has become that kind of annual special occasion. Held indoors in the middle of the harsh Midwest winter, it’s a weekend of flying park‑flyer–size electric airplanes and helicopters in a huge arena with a 100‑foot‑high ceiling. The University of Illinois Track and Field Armory in Champaign, Illinois, provides that indoor airspace and is conveniently located a couple of hours south of Chicago. In 2012 E-Fest marked the seventh consecutive year the event has been held at the Armory.
Organization and purpose
Hobbico’s Frank Noll runs the show with the same enthusiasm he brings to flying his own RC models. He founded the event to give pilots a fun weekend of indoor flying when they could not fly outside. E-Fest took off from the beginning and has been well attended throughout the years. Roughly 300 pilots come with a passion to get in some stick time and to enjoy reuniting with other fliers whom they may only see at various RC events.
Growth of electric RC and the return of kids
Seven years ago the timing was right to start this gathering because electric‑powered RC was coming into its own. Since then there has been an explosion in electric‑powered RC aircraft manufacturing; the most recent airplanes and helicopters are more advanced than anything many of us could have dreamed of a decade ago.
In the midst of all the fun and excitement created by high‑performance, park‑size electric aircraft, a wonderful thing happened that would profoundly impact the future of the hobby: the kids came back. Youngsters became interested in RC again because it was no longer only about large, noisy airplanes. Affordable entry points—nearly harmless micro models that any kid could handle—brought toddlers through teens to E‑Fest. They loved flying the models, and many said they preferred flying real RC to playing virtual games on video consoles.
Floor layout and activities
The large E‑Fest floor space is separated into four distinct zones:
- 3‑D airplanes
- Helicopters
- Micros
- Racetrack / pattern‑flying craft
Many younger people could be found hanging out in the micro‑flying area. E‑Fest is also promoted to the general public in Champaign, inviting people to come watch the RC fun. Saturday evening features contests and flying displays that are unique within aeromodeling.
Highlights and notable entries
- Peter and Steven Sripol, master builders, surprised attendees by unveiling a fully functional flying aircraft carrier. The flying boat used four gyro‑controlled electric motors that provided lift and stability from multiple directions. The Sripol‑designed craft could take off and fly with great precision while carrying several micro‑size models. Once airborne, the micro airplanes and helicopters could take off from the carrier’s deck in midair — a true crowd pleaser.
- Inset/caption: Peter and Steven Sripol's latest creation is a flying aircraft carrier. It can carry several micro airplanes and choppers aloft and the aircraft take off in midair.
- Photo note: David Schuck hovers his Blade mCPX over the flight deck of the Sripols' flying aircraft carrier.
- The two largest U.S. hobby distributors, Hobbico and Horizon Hobby, had display booths and responded to market demand with several new aircraft. A walk down vendor row confirmed that new products are appearing at an unprecedented pace. There were so many great RC products for sale that a person could buy everything needed on the flightline at E‑Fest—making it an ideal place to introduce someone to the hobby and help them find the right beginner airplane or helicopter.
- Contests and winners:
- Scale airplane competition: Tiny, hand‑built scale models with incredible detail are flown to mimic their full‑scale inspirations. Master microscale modeler Sean Cassidy won the event for the second year in a row.
- Heli Smackdown: Kyle Stacy won with a sophisticated, computer‑controlled lighting system designed by engineer Bobby Watts. The lights pulsed to the music and sometimes went completely dark to add drama to the flight.
Community and future
The University of Illinois Armory has become an incubator for young aviation minds such as the Sripol brothers. E‑Fest is the annual stage where they and others show off their newest projects among like‑minded people who appreciate engineering creativity. There are even 11‑year‑old participants, like Stephanie Winkless, who prepare for E‑Fest by inviting friends over to fly helicopters in her garage. Youngsters are the future of the hobby, and from what was seen at E‑Fest this year, the most innovative and exciting times in RC lie ahead.
Make plans for the 2013 E‑Fest fly‑in so you can enjoy all the fun, and maybe even help a young person get a start in this great hobby.
— Mark Fadely [email protected]
SOURCES
- Hobbico E‑Fest
- www.hobbico-efest.com/index.html
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
