118 MODEL AVIATION
Inaugural World Micro Heli Cup indoor freestyle contest
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Helicopters Ray Stacy
There was a nice lineup of T-Rexs at the ready table. The XL and
the new SE were among the top-choice models at the WMHC.
Michael Kranitz with a fan who won a Megatech Horse-Fly.
Several sponsors gave generously to the spectator raffle.
Mini-Class pilot Kyle Stacy gets assistance from his dad Ray Stacy.
Contestants thrilled the crowd with an
impressive array of aerobatics in a tight
space. Runner-up Danny Szabo flew this TRex.
(Editor’s note: Denis Flanders
submitted the following report.)
JUST TWO YEARS ago you might have
chuckled at the notion of a nationally
promoted indoor helicopter contest—let
alone one with major sponsors and
significant cash prizes. Well, that was then
and this is seriously now in the world of
micro-size electric-powered helicopters.
Nothing illustrated that more than the
participation, sponsorship, and excitement
that filled the Los Angeles Convention
Center the weekend of October 22-23,
2005, during the iHobby Expo. RC
Universe, in cooperation with the
International Radio Controlled Helicopter
Association (IRCHA), hosted the first
World Micro Heli Cup (WMHC). The
event was sponsored by Empire Hobby,
EvoFlight, E-flite, Century Helicopter
Products, and Ikarus USA.
The competition featured two flying
categories: a Micro Class for true micro
helicopters such as the E-flite Blade or
Century Hummingbird and a Mini Class
for such helicopters as the EvoFlight
Shogun or Align T-Rex. (The T-Rex’s
presence dominated the competition). RC
Universe managed to attract top pilots,
much to the delight of the crowds gathered
on both days of the event.
The WMHC attracted nearly 2,000
spectators during the two days. The venue
was a 200-foot-long, 200-foot-wide, 40-
foot-high flying “cage” surrounded by
netting on all sides. Crowds sat in
bleachers or stood around the perimeter of
the contest venue. Created by
RCUniverse.com CEO Michael Kranitz,
the WMHC was meant to entertain from
the beginning.
During the event Michael and national
radio personality Hollywood Hamilton of
K-Earth 101 gave away more than $7,500
in prizes to lucky spectators. These
included a $450 Align RC T-Rex 450XL
Superior Edition, 10 Megatech Horse-Flys
and House-Flys, and various other
helicopters, hats, shirts, and DVDs from
Ikarus, Century Helicopter, Empire Hobby,
and E-flite.
Prizes didn’t stop with spectators. Jason
Krause walked away with $1,250 and an
$800 T-Rex package donated by Empire
Hobby. Other winners grossed an
additional $1,500 in cash and prizes.
Judges for the event were respected
helicopter pilots Walt Throne, Len Sabato,
and Marty Kuhns.
Mini Class: Given the capabilities of
today’s mini helicopters, it was no surprise
that most of the contestants competed in
this category. Finishing on top was Jason
Krause, who dazzled the crowd with an
array of compulsory and freestyle
maneuvers capped off by a backward
autorotational landing directly at his feet.
Jason dominated the field with 797
points, besting second-place finisher Danny
Szabo by 150 points. Danny put on quite a
show himself, which included a crowdpleasing
blade scuff on the smooth
concrete floor.
Just 30 minutes before his final flight,
Danny “planted” his T-Rex while
practicing an inverted hover. He pieced the
model back together and went outside the
flying venue to test it. The helicopter
splintered again, and he quickly repaired it
just moments before his final-round flight.
With only a 20-second test flight, he
zoomed into action, performing his
mandatory maneuvers with precision and
his freestyle with typical Szabo flair.
Although it was not enough to catch
Jason, Danny was able to edge out pilot Ian
Crane, who landed in third place with 609
points. Erich Stolz, who entered the final
round in third position, crashed his T-Rex
in the final round and finished fifth.
1. Jason Krause (Align/Futaba)/T-Rex
450XL: 797 points
2. Danny Szabo (Szabo)/T-Rex 450XL:
647 points
3. Ian Crane (Align RC)/T-Rex 450XL:
609 points
One of the highlights of the Mini Class
was fourth-place finisher and Empire
Hobby pilot Kyle Stacy, who turned 10
years old in September. He pumped up the
crowd with his tuned mastery of the
helicopter. Proving that video games are
not the only way to improve one’s dexterity
and mental agility, Kyle finished only 16
points behind Ian Crane.
Kyle told his father Ray that he was
nervous on the first day of the event but
that on the final day he “just wanted to
have fun.” Kyle and the crowd had loads of
fun during his final-round flight. He is
May 2006 119
Mini Class champion Jason Krause with his Align T-Rex SE. Micro Class champion Jason Merkle with his E-flite Blade CP.
certainly a pilot to watch as he matures in
the next few years.
Micro Class: Although this category drew
only four entrants, there was no lack of
excitement as pilots pulled their machines
through a series of mandatory maneuvers
followed by amazing freestyle action.
Ben Tse, flying for Century
Helicopter, was forced to scratch for
personal reasons, leaving Jason Merkle,
Ron Osinski, and Walt Ferar to compete
for top honors. Jason topped the field
with 615 points, and Ron Osinski took
second with 567 points.
Jason and Ron competed with a stock
E-flite Blade. The model performed
extremely well, and both pilots performed
inverted maneuvers with the stock 3-D
motor and blade setup.
1. Jason Merkle (Team JR)/E-flite Blade:
615 points
2. Ron Osinski (Team JR/IRCHA)/E-flite
Blade: 567 points
3. Walt Ferar (Team Futaba)/Hornet II:
311 points
Walt flew the Modelsport Hornet II
with a Hacker 20/22 motor. Going into
the final round he had a commanding lead
over the other competitors.
During a backward-roll maneuver he
lost tail-rotor authority. Rather than
“jerk” the helicopter back into position,
he allowed it to gradually regain position
to ensure the maneuver’s smooth
appearance.
However, doing so caused him to
cross behind the pilot’s line into judging
territory, where safety prohibits any pilot
from flying. As a result, he was subject to
mandatory disqualification.
Next Year on Target: According to
Michael Kranitz, every pilot who attended
the WMHC has indicated a desire to
return next year to what is expected to be
an even bigger and better event.
“Word will spread and pilots will plan
ahead to attend this event next year,” said
Ron Osinski of Team JR.
One of the attributes that made the
event different from others was its quick
pace and short format. The contest was
held for only two hours each day. Unlike
some events, which last much longer, the
short format left spectators wanting more.
Michael said:
“Even avid helicopter buffs get bored
if they watch a contest for too long.
Imagine what it must be like for a
complete novice. That’s why we made the
event crisp and interlaced giveaways and
demos between flights. I don’t anticipate
the event growing in duration next year.”
He also said that this year’s Micro
Class may give way to a single Mini
Class next year, with as many as 12 handselected
pilots.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/05
Page Numbers: 118,119,120
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/05
Page Numbers: 118,119,120
118 MODEL AVIATION
Inaugural World Micro Heli Cup indoor freestyle contest
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Helicopters Ray Stacy
There was a nice lineup of T-Rexs at the ready table. The XL and
the new SE were among the top-choice models at the WMHC.
Michael Kranitz with a fan who won a Megatech Horse-Fly.
Several sponsors gave generously to the spectator raffle.
Mini-Class pilot Kyle Stacy gets assistance from his dad Ray Stacy.
Contestants thrilled the crowd with an
impressive array of aerobatics in a tight
space. Runner-up Danny Szabo flew this TRex.
(Editor’s note: Denis Flanders
submitted the following report.)
JUST TWO YEARS ago you might have
chuckled at the notion of a nationally
promoted indoor helicopter contest—let
alone one with major sponsors and
significant cash prizes. Well, that was then
and this is seriously now in the world of
micro-size electric-powered helicopters.
Nothing illustrated that more than the
participation, sponsorship, and excitement
that filled the Los Angeles Convention
Center the weekend of October 22-23,
2005, during the iHobby Expo. RC
Universe, in cooperation with the
International Radio Controlled Helicopter
Association (IRCHA), hosted the first
World Micro Heli Cup (WMHC). The
event was sponsored by Empire Hobby,
EvoFlight, E-flite, Century Helicopter
Products, and Ikarus USA.
The competition featured two flying
categories: a Micro Class for true micro
helicopters such as the E-flite Blade or
Century Hummingbird and a Mini Class
for such helicopters as the EvoFlight
Shogun or Align T-Rex. (The T-Rex’s
presence dominated the competition). RC
Universe managed to attract top pilots,
much to the delight of the crowds gathered
on both days of the event.
The WMHC attracted nearly 2,000
spectators during the two days. The venue
was a 200-foot-long, 200-foot-wide, 40-
foot-high flying “cage” surrounded by
netting on all sides. Crowds sat in
bleachers or stood around the perimeter of
the contest venue. Created by
RCUniverse.com CEO Michael Kranitz,
the WMHC was meant to entertain from
the beginning.
During the event Michael and national
radio personality Hollywood Hamilton of
K-Earth 101 gave away more than $7,500
in prizes to lucky spectators. These
included a $450 Align RC T-Rex 450XL
Superior Edition, 10 Megatech Horse-Flys
and House-Flys, and various other
helicopters, hats, shirts, and DVDs from
Ikarus, Century Helicopter, Empire Hobby,
and E-flite.
Prizes didn’t stop with spectators. Jason
Krause walked away with $1,250 and an
$800 T-Rex package donated by Empire
Hobby. Other winners grossed an
additional $1,500 in cash and prizes.
Judges for the event were respected
helicopter pilots Walt Throne, Len Sabato,
and Marty Kuhns.
Mini Class: Given the capabilities of
today’s mini helicopters, it was no surprise
that most of the contestants competed in
this category. Finishing on top was Jason
Krause, who dazzled the crowd with an
array of compulsory and freestyle
maneuvers capped off by a backward
autorotational landing directly at his feet.
Jason dominated the field with 797
points, besting second-place finisher Danny
Szabo by 150 points. Danny put on quite a
show himself, which included a crowdpleasing
blade scuff on the smooth
concrete floor.
Just 30 minutes before his final flight,
Danny “planted” his T-Rex while
practicing an inverted hover. He pieced the
model back together and went outside the
flying venue to test it. The helicopter
splintered again, and he quickly repaired it
just moments before his final-round flight.
With only a 20-second test flight, he
zoomed into action, performing his
mandatory maneuvers with precision and
his freestyle with typical Szabo flair.
Although it was not enough to catch
Jason, Danny was able to edge out pilot Ian
Crane, who landed in third place with 609
points. Erich Stolz, who entered the final
round in third position, crashed his T-Rex
in the final round and finished fifth.
1. Jason Krause (Align/Futaba)/T-Rex
450XL: 797 points
2. Danny Szabo (Szabo)/T-Rex 450XL:
647 points
3. Ian Crane (Align RC)/T-Rex 450XL:
609 points
One of the highlights of the Mini Class
was fourth-place finisher and Empire
Hobby pilot Kyle Stacy, who turned 10
years old in September. He pumped up the
crowd with his tuned mastery of the
helicopter. Proving that video games are
not the only way to improve one’s dexterity
and mental agility, Kyle finished only 16
points behind Ian Crane.
Kyle told his father Ray that he was
nervous on the first day of the event but
that on the final day he “just wanted to
have fun.” Kyle and the crowd had loads of
fun during his final-round flight. He is
May 2006 119
Mini Class champion Jason Krause with his Align T-Rex SE. Micro Class champion Jason Merkle with his E-flite Blade CP.
certainly a pilot to watch as he matures in
the next few years.
Micro Class: Although this category drew
only four entrants, there was no lack of
excitement as pilots pulled their machines
through a series of mandatory maneuvers
followed by amazing freestyle action.
Ben Tse, flying for Century
Helicopter, was forced to scratch for
personal reasons, leaving Jason Merkle,
Ron Osinski, and Walt Ferar to compete
for top honors. Jason topped the field
with 615 points, and Ron Osinski took
second with 567 points.
Jason and Ron competed with a stock
E-flite Blade. The model performed
extremely well, and both pilots performed
inverted maneuvers with the stock 3-D
motor and blade setup.
1. Jason Merkle (Team JR)/E-flite Blade:
615 points
2. Ron Osinski (Team JR/IRCHA)/E-flite
Blade: 567 points
3. Walt Ferar (Team Futaba)/Hornet II:
311 points
Walt flew the Modelsport Hornet II
with a Hacker 20/22 motor. Going into
the final round he had a commanding lead
over the other competitors.
During a backward-roll maneuver he
lost tail-rotor authority. Rather than
“jerk” the helicopter back into position,
he allowed it to gradually regain position
to ensure the maneuver’s smooth
appearance.
However, doing so caused him to
cross behind the pilot’s line into judging
territory, where safety prohibits any pilot
from flying. As a result, he was subject to
mandatory disqualification.
Next Year on Target: According to
Michael Kranitz, every pilot who attended
the WMHC has indicated a desire to
return next year to what is expected to be
an even bigger and better event.
“Word will spread and pilots will plan
ahead to attend this event next year,” said
Ron Osinski of Team JR.
One of the attributes that made the
event different from others was its quick
pace and short format. The contest was
held for only two hours each day. Unlike
some events, which last much longer, the
short format left spectators wanting more.
Michael said:
“Even avid helicopter buffs get bored
if they watch a contest for too long.
Imagine what it must be like for a
complete novice. That’s why we made the
event crisp and interlaced giveaways and
demos between flights. I don’t anticipate
the event growing in duration next year.”
He also said that this year’s Micro
Class may give way to a single Mini
Class next year, with as many as 12 handselected
pilots.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/05
Page Numbers: 118,119,120
118 MODEL AVIATION
Inaugural World Micro Heli Cup indoor freestyle contest
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Helicopters Ray Stacy
There was a nice lineup of T-Rexs at the ready table. The XL and
the new SE were among the top-choice models at the WMHC.
Michael Kranitz with a fan who won a Megatech Horse-Fly.
Several sponsors gave generously to the spectator raffle.
Mini-Class pilot Kyle Stacy gets assistance from his dad Ray Stacy.
Contestants thrilled the crowd with an
impressive array of aerobatics in a tight
space. Runner-up Danny Szabo flew this TRex.
(Editor’s note: Denis Flanders
submitted the following report.)
JUST TWO YEARS ago you might have
chuckled at the notion of a nationally
promoted indoor helicopter contest—let
alone one with major sponsors and
significant cash prizes. Well, that was then
and this is seriously now in the world of
micro-size electric-powered helicopters.
Nothing illustrated that more than the
participation, sponsorship, and excitement
that filled the Los Angeles Convention
Center the weekend of October 22-23,
2005, during the iHobby Expo. RC
Universe, in cooperation with the
International Radio Controlled Helicopter
Association (IRCHA), hosted the first
World Micro Heli Cup (WMHC). The
event was sponsored by Empire Hobby,
EvoFlight, E-flite, Century Helicopter
Products, and Ikarus USA.
The competition featured two flying
categories: a Micro Class for true micro
helicopters such as the E-flite Blade or
Century Hummingbird and a Mini Class
for such helicopters as the EvoFlight
Shogun or Align T-Rex. (The T-Rex’s
presence dominated the competition). RC
Universe managed to attract top pilots,
much to the delight of the crowds gathered
on both days of the event.
The WMHC attracted nearly 2,000
spectators during the two days. The venue
was a 200-foot-long, 200-foot-wide, 40-
foot-high flying “cage” surrounded by
netting on all sides. Crowds sat in
bleachers or stood around the perimeter of
the contest venue. Created by
RCUniverse.com CEO Michael Kranitz,
the WMHC was meant to entertain from
the beginning.
During the event Michael and national
radio personality Hollywood Hamilton of
K-Earth 101 gave away more than $7,500
in prizes to lucky spectators. These
included a $450 Align RC T-Rex 450XL
Superior Edition, 10 Megatech Horse-Flys
and House-Flys, and various other
helicopters, hats, shirts, and DVDs from
Ikarus, Century Helicopter, Empire Hobby,
and E-flite.
Prizes didn’t stop with spectators. Jason
Krause walked away with $1,250 and an
$800 T-Rex package donated by Empire
Hobby. Other winners grossed an
additional $1,500 in cash and prizes.
Judges for the event were respected
helicopter pilots Walt Throne, Len Sabato,
and Marty Kuhns.
Mini Class: Given the capabilities of
today’s mini helicopters, it was no surprise
that most of the contestants competed in
this category. Finishing on top was Jason
Krause, who dazzled the crowd with an
array of compulsory and freestyle
maneuvers capped off by a backward
autorotational landing directly at his feet.
Jason dominated the field with 797
points, besting second-place finisher Danny
Szabo by 150 points. Danny put on quite a
show himself, which included a crowdpleasing
blade scuff on the smooth
concrete floor.
Just 30 minutes before his final flight,
Danny “planted” his T-Rex while
practicing an inverted hover. He pieced the
model back together and went outside the
flying venue to test it. The helicopter
splintered again, and he quickly repaired it
just moments before his final-round flight.
With only a 20-second test flight, he
zoomed into action, performing his
mandatory maneuvers with precision and
his freestyle with typical Szabo flair.
Although it was not enough to catch
Jason, Danny was able to edge out pilot Ian
Crane, who landed in third place with 609
points. Erich Stolz, who entered the final
round in third position, crashed his T-Rex
in the final round and finished fifth.
1. Jason Krause (Align/Futaba)/T-Rex
450XL: 797 points
2. Danny Szabo (Szabo)/T-Rex 450XL:
647 points
3. Ian Crane (Align RC)/T-Rex 450XL:
609 points
One of the highlights of the Mini Class
was fourth-place finisher and Empire
Hobby pilot Kyle Stacy, who turned 10
years old in September. He pumped up the
crowd with his tuned mastery of the
helicopter. Proving that video games are
not the only way to improve one’s dexterity
and mental agility, Kyle finished only 16
points behind Ian Crane.
Kyle told his father Ray that he was
nervous on the first day of the event but
that on the final day he “just wanted to
have fun.” Kyle and the crowd had loads of
fun during his final-round flight. He is
May 2006 119
Mini Class champion Jason Krause with his Align T-Rex SE. Micro Class champion Jason Merkle with his E-flite Blade CP.
certainly a pilot to watch as he matures in
the next few years.
Micro Class: Although this category drew
only four entrants, there was no lack of
excitement as pilots pulled their machines
through a series of mandatory maneuvers
followed by amazing freestyle action.
Ben Tse, flying for Century
Helicopter, was forced to scratch for
personal reasons, leaving Jason Merkle,
Ron Osinski, and Walt Ferar to compete
for top honors. Jason topped the field
with 615 points, and Ron Osinski took
second with 567 points.
Jason and Ron competed with a stock
E-flite Blade. The model performed
extremely well, and both pilots performed
inverted maneuvers with the stock 3-D
motor and blade setup.
1. Jason Merkle (Team JR)/E-flite Blade:
615 points
2. Ron Osinski (Team JR/IRCHA)/E-flite
Blade: 567 points
3. Walt Ferar (Team Futaba)/Hornet II:
311 points
Walt flew the Modelsport Hornet II
with a Hacker 20/22 motor. Going into
the final round he had a commanding lead
over the other competitors.
During a backward-roll maneuver he
lost tail-rotor authority. Rather than
“jerk” the helicopter back into position,
he allowed it to gradually regain position
to ensure the maneuver’s smooth
appearance.
However, doing so caused him to
cross behind the pilot’s line into judging
territory, where safety prohibits any pilot
from flying. As a result, he was subject to
mandatory disqualification.
Next Year on Target: According to
Michael Kranitz, every pilot who attended
the WMHC has indicated a desire to
return next year to what is expected to be
an even bigger and better event.
“Word will spread and pilots will plan
ahead to attend this event next year,” said
Ron Osinski of Team JR.
One of the attributes that made the
event different from others was its quick
pace and short format. The contest was
held for only two hours each day. Unlike
some events, which last much longer, the
short format left spectators wanting more.
Michael said:
“Even avid helicopter buffs get bored
if they watch a contest for too long.
Imagine what it must be like for a
complete novice. That’s why we made the
event crisp and interlaced giveaways and
demos between flights. I don’t anticipate
the event growing in duration next year.”
He also said that this year’s Micro
Class may give way to a single Mini
Class next year, with as many as 12 handselected
pilots.