Radio Control Helicopters - 2010/05
Andy Griffith, of RC Universe, tells his story
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.
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 served for 12 years as an in-flight technician and systems operator on the P-3 Orion.
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 and 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 a 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 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 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 print.
There are just some places you can take a magazine for quiet reading that might not lend itself to electronic media. I always have a copy of 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 pages 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 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 websites 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 helicopter-friendly 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 a 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 15 through Sunday, January 17.
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 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 1/4-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 rib-shack dinner gave Saturday the feeling of a family reunion instead of a model helicopter event. Thanks to 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
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
