Radio Control Helicopters - 2010/05

GREETINGS, HELICOPTER PEOPLE. I am guessing that the
weather is cooperating, allowing you to get outside for some real
flying. Mmm, the smell of fresh nitro in the air is sublime.
You spent way too much time online this winter. Maybe I’m just
thinking about myself. You can overdo your browsing sessions, but at
the same time, much valuable information is gathered from cyberspace.
I want to introduce you to one of the most active online helicopter
individuals I know. His name is Andy Griffith. I think you will glean
good information from his musings.
I posed some questions to Andy and then had him tell me about his
recent trip to a private fun-fly.
MF: Who is Andy Griffith? I mean you, not the TV star! Tell us about
yourself.
AG: I’m (yikes!) 44 and originally grew up in Pennsylvania in the
Philadelphia suburbs. I joined the Navy and became an in-flight
technician and systems operator on the P-3 Orion for 12 years.
I got stationed in Jacksonville and when I found that it had two
world-class flying sites, and the flying season starts in early January
and doesn’t end until late December, I decided to make Florida my
home.
I’m currently a computer network engineer for my full-time job and
about three years ago was able to get involved with RC Universe
[RCU], first doing reviews, then eventually event coverage.
I’m also the arena PA announcer for Jacksonville’s Junior B hockey
team, the Ice Dogs, and the University of Florida Gators. I did the
announcing for our minor league professional team, the Jacksonville
Barracudas, for their six seasons in Jacksonville—the origin of my
screen name: BarracudaHockey.
My current fleet includes three Raptors (a Titan for 3-D and two
scale machines), a Vibe 50, and T-Rex 600N. I’m also working on a
vintage Kavan Jet Ranger. In addition to the nitro birds I have a cross
section of electric helicopters.
To keep things interesting, I also fly both powered planes and
sailplanes. My plank … err, fixed-wing fleet includes everything from
small electrics to a large gas-powered Yak and a 2.6-meter scale glider.
If it flies I either own it or have owned it at one point.
MF: I visit the online forums and you are one of the top posters. What
gives you the motivation to continually help others?
AG: If you ever get a chance to visit Jax RC in Jacksonville you will
see that same attitude every weekend from everyone there. Honestly I
thought it was the way it was supposed to be everywhere, and since I
have time waiting for things to run at work I try to bring the same
energy to the forums.
The motivation comes when I get an e-mail thanking me or
Andy Griffith, of RC Universe, tells his story
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Helicopters Mark Fadely
Clint Akins’ T-Rex 500, with a Castle Creations Ice controller, flies
on either a five- or six-cell Li-Poly battery.
Carson Akins (L) and Rachel Rogers enjoy the one day of good
weather at Clint Akins’ family-friendly fun-fly.
Clint Akins (R) tells how to configure ESCs. Knowing the
equipment helps keep the package working optimally.
Lee Estingoy (L), Gordy Meade (C), and Gary Rowlands (R) of
Bulgaria discuss flybarless helicopter systems.
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someone realizes who they are talking to at an event and tells me
about the success they have had. All I ask is they pass it on.
MF: You also cover events for RCU. Tell us about that.
AG: I was talking to Marc Vigod of RCU after I had started
moderating the helicopter forums there and asked why I hadn’t seen
much content in the magazine section related to helicopters. It turned
out that the regular contributor had gotten tied up with work and
family. I submitted some work and started doing product reviews.
The next question I asked was how come RCU wasn’t covering the
largest (and best) RC event in the world. A few weeks later I was on
my way to Muncie [Indiana] for the first time.
That was IRCHA [International Radio Controlled Helicopter
Association] Jamboree 2008 and even given the number of events I’ve
been to in the Florida area, nothing prepared me for what I found
when I got there. I guess they liked what they saw because I’ve since
been asked to help cover E-Fest, Top Gun, XFC, and IRCHA 2009.
It’s been a great opportunity to get to know some of the great
people who are part of our hobby in general and helicopters in specific.
I’ve also been fortunate to have some great help along the way; there’s
a guy whose photographs seem to frequently end up on the cover page
of this magazine who’s been a tremendous help to my photography.
MF: How have online forums and boards changed the way media is
presented and advertised to the public?
AG: I have heard proponents of online media claim it’s going to take
over. My personal feeling is that it’s a great supplement but I don’t
think it will ever fully replace it.
There are just some places you can take a magazine for some quiet
reading that might not lend itself to electronic media. I always have a
Model Aviation in my truck to read while I’m at lunch during work for
example.
On the other side, online media has a lot more flexibility. Not being
limited by a word count lets us go as in-depth as we like.
We also published several hundred photos of IRCHA, including a
page for scale, vintage, and the IRCHA “scene,” in addition to the
main article. Then there are more than a dozen videos in addition to the
article and photographs.
On the subject of video, our product reviews require us to shoot
video as part of the review process. I feel that keeps us, as reviewers,
honest. You can say pretty much whatever you want to in an article but
Bobby Watts’ T-Rex 700N performs an autorotation. Learning
this maneuver isn’t as hard as one might think.
Joey Scott’s T-Rex 700N is flying inverted over a cleanly cut, soft
grass area where there’s less dirt to ingest.
being able to back those words with video of
the product in use lends another layer of
credibility to the review.
I have noticed more of the magazines I
subscribe to, including those outside the
hobby, supplementing print content with Web
sites and articles that only subscribers have
access to. I’ve also seen magazines offer
digital, downloadable copies of their print
magazines. The lines between print and online
content are being blurred more every day.
MF: What advice can you give newcomers?
What is the cheapest and most effective way to
advance your skills as an RC helicopter pilot?
AG: This one is easy. Get decent equipment!
Get a simulator! Get help (in person if at all
possible)!
While the initial investment may be
somewhat higher, buying good equipment
from a reputable retailer will cost less in the
long run than replacing junk.
A simulator, when used properly, is a great
training aid. Notice I said aid, because it won’t
teach you how to safely start or tune a nitro
motor, care for your batteries, or pat you on
the back after your first solo hover. It will
teach you muscle memory and visual
orientation, and for you snowbirds, will help
keep the fingers nimble during the winter.
The last thing is to find a helicopterfriendly
club or attend events. When you
attend an event, especially the smaller club
events, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for
help. There are so many great people in this
hobby that it’s really hard for a beginner not
to find someone to help them out.
I ran into FAI pilot Erich Freyman at the
Daytona fly-in. He brought all his set-up tools
and had a tent set up just to help anyone who
needed it. That’s just one example of many.
On the flip side, many of the top pilots
have a lot of obligations at big events. Stop by
the manufacturers’ tents though, and the
representatives there are more than happy to
direct you to someone who can help you out.
Once you’re set up, practice. Spend time
on learning your orientations and basics.
Dedicate a few minutes per flight or a tank a
day; it will pay big dividends in the long run.
Lastly, learn how to autorotate as soon as
you start flying around. This is one thing I can
promise that will save every pilot money at
some point.
MF: Tell us about the Clint Akins birthday
party fun-fly in Statesboro, Georgia.
AG:What could be better than half-dozen
acres of Georgia farmland covered with
freshly fallen pecan nuts? That same farmland
set up with three flight lines, you say?
How about that same patch of field
covered with helicopters, tables, tents,
campers, and new and old friends? Now we
are talking!
Every year, Clint and Julie Akins open up
their home and yard to celebrate Clint’s
birthday in radio-controlled-helicopter style.
In 2010, the event ran from Friday, January
15th through Sunday, the 17th.
When I say, “opened their home” I mean
this literally. I had my own room in their
house and people were sleeping in their shop,
trailer, and other bedrooms.
Clint’s place, in Statesboro, Georgia, is
just a few hours’ drive from my home in
108 MODEL AVIATION
Jacksonville, Florida, and this year I decided to
pack the trailer and make the relatively short
trip up. I took a vacation day from work on
Friday and set off while it was still dark in the
morning. Weather-wise I was glad I had all day
Friday to fly (more on that later).
I found out in short order, that if you have
any aspirations of flying electric helicopters,
this was the place to be. Practically the entire
team from Castle Creations was there including
Clint, Steve Rogers, MA Soaring columnist Lee
Estingoy, and several others. To say I learned a
lot about speed controllers and batteries hanging
out with these guys for three days would be
quite an understatement.
Aside from the Castle Creations crew, there
were several other familiar faces in attendance.
One of the nicest guys in the scale helicopter
arena, Darrell Sprayberry, brought his ¼-scale
electric Jet Ranger III done in the Georgia State
Patrol color scheme.
The word “impressive” just doesn’t do this
helicopter justice. Darrell is a true craftsman
and all of his models reflect his talent and
creativity.
Matt Botos was there when I arrived on
Friday. Matt has a great flying style that
combines high speed and large maneuvers with
down-on-the-deck 3-D that’s always fun to
watch.
Bobby Watts and Joey Scott from the Heli
Wholesaler team were putting the serious 3-D
smack down for everyone who was watching.
Another great guy that I met a few years ago is
Gary Rowlands who traveled all the way from
Bulgaria to hang out. Spending a few days with
Gary is like taking a master’s class in flybarless
systems.
I have to say, this is the most fun I’ve ever
had at an event that was almost entirely rained
out. The weather was great on Friday and a
welcome change from the two weeks of
freezing temperatures we had been having even
in Florida.
Julie and Darrell grilled steaks and put on a
home-cooked dinner for everyone who was in
attendance on Friday night. Saturday, however,
turned out to be a washout. If you think that
might have dampened the spirits of those who
made the trip, I found quite the opposite to be
true.
Group trips to a buffet brunch and a ribshack
dinner gave Saturday the feeling of
family reunion instead of a model helicopter
event. Thanks for everyone who made it an
outstanding weekend and if you find yourself in
the area don’t hesitate to attend. You will feel
like part of the family in no time.
Thanks, Andy. I appreciate your input this
month.
Keep up the good work you do in helping so
many pilots. We all should be lucky enough to
live in Jacksonville, Florida, where we can fly
outdoors year-round.
I look forward to having everyone back here
for more about helicopters next month. MA
Sources:
International Radio Controlled Helicopter
Association
www.ircha.org
RC Universe
www.rcuniverse.com