Radio Control Helicopters Ray Stacy [[email protected]]
Inaugural World Micro Heli Cup indoor freestyle contest
(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 helicopters such 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. The WMHC, created by RCUniverse.com CEO Michael Kranitz, 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 crowd-pleasing 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 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.
- Jason Krause (Align/Futaba) — T‑Rex 450XL: 797 points
- Danny Szabo (Szabo) — T‑Rex 450XL: 647 points
- 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 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 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.
- Jason Merkle (Team JR) — E-flite Blade: 615 points
- Ron Osinski (Team JR/IRCHA) — E-flite Blade: 567 points
- 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 hand-selected pilots.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
