HI AND WELCOME back to the
helicopter corner of MA.
August is a big month in the helicopter
world. I hope all of you can make it out to
the biggest event in RC. It is the
International Radio Controlled Helicopter
Association (IRCHA) Jamboree.
August 2011 115
Right: A decade after a debilitating accident, Ray Nemovi is fulfilling
his dream of flying with the best pilots in the world at the 2011 XFC.
Ray Nemovi was instrumental in setting up Jamie Robertson’s
T-Rex 700 for his first-place finish at the 2009 XFC. Ray will be
flying a model of the same design in the 2011 XFC.
paralyzed and doomed to a wheelchair. I suffered a very bad
injury that severed my spinal cord and also many other internal
injuries.
I remember seeing HobbyTown USA one day coming back
from the hospital and I decided to go check it out and find
something to help keep my mind away from the pain and the lifechanging
accident. This was the beginning of the journey that has
led me to this point in my life.
MF: What aspects are the most exciting to you in the hobby?
RN: Model helicopters are exciting because of the level of
difficulty involved. For many people it may be a toy, and as long
as you can make it do tricks, it is cool. Just like many other
hobbies and sports, most people enjoy the use of it.
There are also those who want to go the extra mile and
challenge themselves. You can clearly see an artist at work with
some of the pilots and their machines. The model is an extension
of their coordination and imagination. Just being able to step up to
the flightline with my fellow pilots brings me much excitement.
MF: Why do you like to compete?
RN: I like to compete because I like the challenge. I’m one of
those guys who has been told I can’t do something or I’m not
good enough. I was told I’d never walk and I’ve been told I’m not
that good of a helicopter pilot. I could have packed my bags and
thrown in the towel long ago but, how else will one rise above
something if they don’t challenge themselves?
I believe flying model helicopters is one of the most
challenging things known to mankind. “Real” helicopters sure are
and it takes a special kind of person to handle such machines. I
now have about 40 hours [of flight time] or so in a helicopter and
I’m getting ready to fly solo. It was much easier for me to fly the
real thing over the models.
MF: Has anything from other aspects of your life helped you in
learning to fly helicopters?
RN: My accident has had a life-altering effect on my way of
thinking. We can do anything we set our minds to. We have
infinite intelligence and we can easily do anything once we’re
determined and focused.
We have learned many things and made many tools to help us
along the way. You just have to take the time to research and find
the best route to get to where you want to go.
I spent three-plus years finding ways to walk again. I looked
into medicine, surgery, exercise, and anything else I could find
that would help me. There are books and YouTube videos out
there from people who found ways of making miracles happen.
I had to become the person I wanted to be and each day work
toward making that dream a reality. I made daily, weekly,
monthly, and yearly plans of what I was going to do to achieve
my goals. It was very hard at first but with anything in life, it
takes some time to gain momentum.
Just like those who try to go on a diet, there is no magic pill and it
doesn’t happen overnight. It’s so hard and you’re ready to give up in
08sig4xx_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/23/11 1:35 PM Page 115
only a few days. There is more support by
friends and family to just give up, rather than
pushing you along the way, because of how
hard it is.
As I gained momentum with my health
and now see such amazing results, I’ve
decided to apply that same focus and energy
toward my skill level with model helicopters
and XFC. I have to say that my level of
learning is progressing so rapidly that I’m
now more excited and enjoying myself and
have fun with it despite this major
competition being around the corner.
MF: What is different about your approach
to flying now versus when you first started?
RN: One thing that has changed my whole
approach to flying radio-controlled
helicopters is getting my private pilot’s rotary
license. Taking ground school exposed me to
a major part of flying that I would’ve never
understood. There are so many forces outside
our control and it really helps one with
maintaining total control of the model at all
times. It is one thing you could never do
unless you’re willing to kill yourself, others,
damage property, or simply lose your flying
privilege.
The first thing I had to learn was how to
hold a solid hover. Unlike fixed wing, a
helicopter is designed to be flown precisely.
You don’t have a runway and you usually
have to fly into and land in a tight spot, a bow
of a ship, or platform. You have to be the best
decision maker all the time. You have to be
the mechanic, the pilot, the psychologist, and
anyone else who can help you through any
issue or task at hand.
Flying the aircraft is just a small part of
the process. There is the radio communication
where you have to find your different
frequencies based on your airspace to keep
contact with air traffic, which means you
have to release a control and pull a map to
find information needed.
You’re always visually looking for
obstacles to avoid. Once you’re ready to
fly, you have to be 100% committed and
focused.
I decided to treat my model flying in the
same manner. I see amazing results because
I now have many new tools that keep me
from crashing and I can break down my
flying into simple segments consisting of
mostly basic hover work that leads to
complex maneuvers. I must understand
where the winds are coming from so I can
be able to control my forward flights and
keep consistent altitude, speed, and control.
I’m a totally different pilot now. I feel
that I’m now the commanding pilot of the
aircraft certified to fly the model, as if it
were the real thing.
MF: Do you use a simulator to practice?
RN: I do use the RealFlight simulator to
practice as much as I can because it’s a
great tool. Despite the fact that you’re
looking at the screen and it’s not as
realistic, it does fly like the real thing.
You can test ideas, work on stick
inputs, and manage your control surfaces
and timing. The rebuild/reset button is
also free, which makes it a must.
MF: This is your second XFC. Tell us
what you learned from the first goround?
RN: What I’ve learned from my first
attempt at XFC is that I thought I could
just show up and do well. I thought I
could just wing it like a fun-fly. I was not
prepared nor did I know how to prepare
for it. In my mind I thought I had what it
takes. But in reality, I was not prepared
for what I did not know.
I was a nervous wreck and I also had
a borrowed model. Besides a great
learning experience, there isn’t much to
talk about.
MF: How do you keep yourself motivated
and not fall victim to burnout?
RN: I like to challenge myself. I give
myself tasks to complete. I make it fun
and I do it for myself now. I’ll master
one hover orientation and I try to see
how I can fly the model in that
orientation. There is so much to learn and
so much to create.
If you learn how to fly the model, I’ll
promise it stays fun. I’m helping a few
members at my local club and as a test
from what I’ve learned, I’ve told them
crashing is not part of flying and learning
and if they want my help, they have to be
100% committed to my way of teaching.
One of them has more than 800 flights in
10 months on a T-Rex 600N at almost 10
minutes a flight. He has had no crashes,
no mechanical failures, and he’s
absolutely tuned in with the model.
MF: Any advice for beginners?
RN: The hobby is supposed to be fun
and to be enjoyed. At any point if you
feel that you’re not having fun, stop and
assess the situation.
I do hope I’ve been able to give you
a tool that helps you like it’s helped me.
I’ve explained many aspects of the
hobby and flying throughout my
answers to your questions.
Never be cocky and always be
courteous to others. Be willing to help
others only if you’re qualified and can
promise results. Be willing to give and to
receive as this is not a one-way road.
Find a reasonable club to be a part of
and don’t be the one who flies at dirt lots
and parking lots. Be safe and become a
member of your local flying site unless
you have open land or a reasonable place
to fly.
I would have to say that you generally
have a better chance of finding good help
at a flying club versus on your own or
without knowledgeable pilots around.
Join some of the forums like RunRyder,
RC Heli Resource, and HeliFreak. Keep
an eye out for local fun-fly events to
attend as it will expose you to great
pilots, skills, and products. Read the
reviews and releases of products.
Knowledge is key and you need to gain
as much as possible so you can make it
as fun and as easy as possible.
MF: Thanks so much, Ray. We really
appreciate your time sharing a great story
of personal achievement.
See you all back here next month. MA
Sources:
International Radio Controlled
Helicopter Association
www.ircha.org
Castle Creations
(913) 390-6939
www.castlecreations.com
Curtis Youngblood Enterprises
(979) 779-2172
http://curtisyoungblood.com
Neu Motors
(858) 674-2250
www.neumotors.com
Pure-Tech Products
(760) 207-0547
http://puretechproducts.com
RealFlight
(800) 637-7660
www.realflight.com
RunRyder
www.runryder.com
RC Heli Resource
www.rcheliresource.com
HeliFreak
www.helifreak.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/08
Page Numbers: 114,115,116,117
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/08
Page Numbers: 114,115,116,117
HI AND WELCOME back to the
helicopter corner of MA.
August is a big month in the helicopter
world. I hope all of you can make it out to
the biggest event in RC. It is the
International Radio Controlled Helicopter
Association (IRCHA) Jamboree.
August 2011 115
Right: A decade after a debilitating accident, Ray Nemovi is fulfilling
his dream of flying with the best pilots in the world at the 2011 XFC.
Ray Nemovi was instrumental in setting up Jamie Robertson’s
T-Rex 700 for his first-place finish at the 2009 XFC. Ray will be
flying a model of the same design in the 2011 XFC.
paralyzed and doomed to a wheelchair. I suffered a very bad
injury that severed my spinal cord and also many other internal
injuries.
I remember seeing HobbyTown USA one day coming back
from the hospital and I decided to go check it out and find
something to help keep my mind away from the pain and the lifechanging
accident. This was the beginning of the journey that has
led me to this point in my life.
MF: What aspects are the most exciting to you in the hobby?
RN: Model helicopters are exciting because of the level of
difficulty involved. For many people it may be a toy, and as long
as you can make it do tricks, it is cool. Just like many other
hobbies and sports, most people enjoy the use of it.
There are also those who want to go the extra mile and
challenge themselves. You can clearly see an artist at work with
some of the pilots and their machines. The model is an extension
of their coordination and imagination. Just being able to step up to
the flightline with my fellow pilots brings me much excitement.
MF: Why do you like to compete?
RN: I like to compete because I like the challenge. I’m one of
those guys who has been told I can’t do something or I’m not
good enough. I was told I’d never walk and I’ve been told I’m not
that good of a helicopter pilot. I could have packed my bags and
thrown in the towel long ago but, how else will one rise above
something if they don’t challenge themselves?
I believe flying model helicopters is one of the most
challenging things known to mankind. “Real” helicopters sure are
and it takes a special kind of person to handle such machines. I
now have about 40 hours [of flight time] or so in a helicopter and
I’m getting ready to fly solo. It was much easier for me to fly the
real thing over the models.
MF: Has anything from other aspects of your life helped you in
learning to fly helicopters?
RN: My accident has had a life-altering effect on my way of
thinking. We can do anything we set our minds to. We have
infinite intelligence and we can easily do anything once we’re
determined and focused.
We have learned many things and made many tools to help us
along the way. You just have to take the time to research and find
the best route to get to where you want to go.
I spent three-plus years finding ways to walk again. I looked
into medicine, surgery, exercise, and anything else I could find
that would help me. There are books and YouTube videos out
there from people who found ways of making miracles happen.
I had to become the person I wanted to be and each day work
toward making that dream a reality. I made daily, weekly,
monthly, and yearly plans of what I was going to do to achieve
my goals. It was very hard at first but with anything in life, it
takes some time to gain momentum.
Just like those who try to go on a diet, there is no magic pill and it
doesn’t happen overnight. It’s so hard and you’re ready to give up in
08sig4xx_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/23/11 1:35 PM Page 115
only a few days. There is more support by
friends and family to just give up, rather than
pushing you along the way, because of how
hard it is.
As I gained momentum with my health
and now see such amazing results, I’ve
decided to apply that same focus and energy
toward my skill level with model helicopters
and XFC. I have to say that my level of
learning is progressing so rapidly that I’m
now more excited and enjoying myself and
have fun with it despite this major
competition being around the corner.
MF: What is different about your approach
to flying now versus when you first started?
RN: One thing that has changed my whole
approach to flying radio-controlled
helicopters is getting my private pilot’s rotary
license. Taking ground school exposed me to
a major part of flying that I would’ve never
understood. There are so many forces outside
our control and it really helps one with
maintaining total control of the model at all
times. It is one thing you could never do
unless you’re willing to kill yourself, others,
damage property, or simply lose your flying
privilege.
The first thing I had to learn was how to
hold a solid hover. Unlike fixed wing, a
helicopter is designed to be flown precisely.
You don’t have a runway and you usually
have to fly into and land in a tight spot, a bow
of a ship, or platform. You have to be the best
decision maker all the time. You have to be
the mechanic, the pilot, the psychologist, and
anyone else who can help you through any
issue or task at hand.
Flying the aircraft is just a small part of
the process. There is the radio communication
where you have to find your different
frequencies based on your airspace to keep
contact with air traffic, which means you
have to release a control and pull a map to
find information needed.
You’re always visually looking for
obstacles to avoid. Once you’re ready to
fly, you have to be 100% committed and
focused.
I decided to treat my model flying in the
same manner. I see amazing results because
I now have many new tools that keep me
from crashing and I can break down my
flying into simple segments consisting of
mostly basic hover work that leads to
complex maneuvers. I must understand
where the winds are coming from so I can
be able to control my forward flights and
keep consistent altitude, speed, and control.
I’m a totally different pilot now. I feel
that I’m now the commanding pilot of the
aircraft certified to fly the model, as if it
were the real thing.
MF: Do you use a simulator to practice?
RN: I do use the RealFlight simulator to
practice as much as I can because it’s a
great tool. Despite the fact that you’re
looking at the screen and it’s not as
realistic, it does fly like the real thing.
You can test ideas, work on stick
inputs, and manage your control surfaces
and timing. The rebuild/reset button is
also free, which makes it a must.
MF: This is your second XFC. Tell us
what you learned from the first goround?
RN: What I’ve learned from my first
attempt at XFC is that I thought I could
just show up and do well. I thought I
could just wing it like a fun-fly. I was not
prepared nor did I know how to prepare
for it. In my mind I thought I had what it
takes. But in reality, I was not prepared
for what I did not know.
I was a nervous wreck and I also had
a borrowed model. Besides a great
learning experience, there isn’t much to
talk about.
MF: How do you keep yourself motivated
and not fall victim to burnout?
RN: I like to challenge myself. I give
myself tasks to complete. I make it fun
and I do it for myself now. I’ll master
one hover orientation and I try to see
how I can fly the model in that
orientation. There is so much to learn and
so much to create.
If you learn how to fly the model, I’ll
promise it stays fun. I’m helping a few
members at my local club and as a test
from what I’ve learned, I’ve told them
crashing is not part of flying and learning
and if they want my help, they have to be
100% committed to my way of teaching.
One of them has more than 800 flights in
10 months on a T-Rex 600N at almost 10
minutes a flight. He has had no crashes,
no mechanical failures, and he’s
absolutely tuned in with the model.
MF: Any advice for beginners?
RN: The hobby is supposed to be fun
and to be enjoyed. At any point if you
feel that you’re not having fun, stop and
assess the situation.
I do hope I’ve been able to give you
a tool that helps you like it’s helped me.
I’ve explained many aspects of the
hobby and flying throughout my
answers to your questions.
Never be cocky and always be
courteous to others. Be willing to help
others only if you’re qualified and can
promise results. Be willing to give and to
receive as this is not a one-way road.
Find a reasonable club to be a part of
and don’t be the one who flies at dirt lots
and parking lots. Be safe and become a
member of your local flying site unless
you have open land or a reasonable place
to fly.
I would have to say that you generally
have a better chance of finding good help
at a flying club versus on your own or
without knowledgeable pilots around.
Join some of the forums like RunRyder,
RC Heli Resource, and HeliFreak. Keep
an eye out for local fun-fly events to
attend as it will expose you to great
pilots, skills, and products. Read the
reviews and releases of products.
Knowledge is key and you need to gain
as much as possible so you can make it
as fun and as easy as possible.
MF: Thanks so much, Ray. We really
appreciate your time sharing a great story
of personal achievement.
See you all back here next month. MA
Sources:
International Radio Controlled
Helicopter Association
www.ircha.org
Castle Creations
(913) 390-6939
www.castlecreations.com
Curtis Youngblood Enterprises
(979) 779-2172
http://curtisyoungblood.com
Neu Motors
(858) 674-2250
www.neumotors.com
Pure-Tech Products
(760) 207-0547
http://puretechproducts.com
RealFlight
(800) 637-7660
www.realflight.com
RunRyder
www.runryder.com
RC Heli Resource
www.rcheliresource.com
HeliFreak
www.helifreak.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/08
Page Numbers: 114,115,116,117
HI AND WELCOME back to the
helicopter corner of MA.
August is a big month in the helicopter
world. I hope all of you can make it out to
the biggest event in RC. It is the
International Radio Controlled Helicopter
Association (IRCHA) Jamboree.
August 2011 115
Right: A decade after a debilitating accident, Ray Nemovi is fulfilling
his dream of flying with the best pilots in the world at the 2011 XFC.
Ray Nemovi was instrumental in setting up Jamie Robertson’s
T-Rex 700 for his first-place finish at the 2009 XFC. Ray will be
flying a model of the same design in the 2011 XFC.
paralyzed and doomed to a wheelchair. I suffered a very bad
injury that severed my spinal cord and also many other internal
injuries.
I remember seeing HobbyTown USA one day coming back
from the hospital and I decided to go check it out and find
something to help keep my mind away from the pain and the lifechanging
accident. This was the beginning of the journey that has
led me to this point in my life.
MF: What aspects are the most exciting to you in the hobby?
RN: Model helicopters are exciting because of the level of
difficulty involved. For many people it may be a toy, and as long
as you can make it do tricks, it is cool. Just like many other
hobbies and sports, most people enjoy the use of it.
There are also those who want to go the extra mile and
challenge themselves. You can clearly see an artist at work with
some of the pilots and their machines. The model is an extension
of their coordination and imagination. Just being able to step up to
the flightline with my fellow pilots brings me much excitement.
MF: Why do you like to compete?
RN: I like to compete because I like the challenge. I’m one of
those guys who has been told I can’t do something or I’m not
good enough. I was told I’d never walk and I’ve been told I’m not
that good of a helicopter pilot. I could have packed my bags and
thrown in the towel long ago but, how else will one rise above
something if they don’t challenge themselves?
I believe flying model helicopters is one of the most
challenging things known to mankind. “Real” helicopters sure are
and it takes a special kind of person to handle such machines. I
now have about 40 hours [of flight time] or so in a helicopter and
I’m getting ready to fly solo. It was much easier for me to fly the
real thing over the models.
MF: Has anything from other aspects of your life helped you in
learning to fly helicopters?
RN: My accident has had a life-altering effect on my way of
thinking. We can do anything we set our minds to. We have
infinite intelligence and we can easily do anything once we’re
determined and focused.
We have learned many things and made many tools to help us
along the way. You just have to take the time to research and find
the best route to get to where you want to go.
I spent three-plus years finding ways to walk again. I looked
into medicine, surgery, exercise, and anything else I could find
that would help me. There are books and YouTube videos out
there from people who found ways of making miracles happen.
I had to become the person I wanted to be and each day work
toward making that dream a reality. I made daily, weekly,
monthly, and yearly plans of what I was going to do to achieve
my goals. It was very hard at first but with anything in life, it
takes some time to gain momentum.
Just like those who try to go on a diet, there is no magic pill and it
doesn’t happen overnight. It’s so hard and you’re ready to give up in
08sig4xx_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/23/11 1:35 PM Page 115
only a few days. There is more support by
friends and family to just give up, rather than
pushing you along the way, because of how
hard it is.
As I gained momentum with my health
and now see such amazing results, I’ve
decided to apply that same focus and energy
toward my skill level with model helicopters
and XFC. I have to say that my level of
learning is progressing so rapidly that I’m
now more excited and enjoying myself and
have fun with it despite this major
competition being around the corner.
MF: What is different about your approach
to flying now versus when you first started?
RN: One thing that has changed my whole
approach to flying radio-controlled
helicopters is getting my private pilot’s rotary
license. Taking ground school exposed me to
a major part of flying that I would’ve never
understood. There are so many forces outside
our control and it really helps one with
maintaining total control of the model at all
times. It is one thing you could never do
unless you’re willing to kill yourself, others,
damage property, or simply lose your flying
privilege.
The first thing I had to learn was how to
hold a solid hover. Unlike fixed wing, a
helicopter is designed to be flown precisely.
You don’t have a runway and you usually
have to fly into and land in a tight spot, a bow
of a ship, or platform. You have to be the best
decision maker all the time. You have to be
the mechanic, the pilot, the psychologist, and
anyone else who can help you through any
issue or task at hand.
Flying the aircraft is just a small part of
the process. There is the radio communication
where you have to find your different
frequencies based on your airspace to keep
contact with air traffic, which means you
have to release a control and pull a map to
find information needed.
You’re always visually looking for
obstacles to avoid. Once you’re ready to
fly, you have to be 100% committed and
focused.
I decided to treat my model flying in the
same manner. I see amazing results because
I now have many new tools that keep me
from crashing and I can break down my
flying into simple segments consisting of
mostly basic hover work that leads to
complex maneuvers. I must understand
where the winds are coming from so I can
be able to control my forward flights and
keep consistent altitude, speed, and control.
I’m a totally different pilot now. I feel
that I’m now the commanding pilot of the
aircraft certified to fly the model, as if it
were the real thing.
MF: Do you use a simulator to practice?
RN: I do use the RealFlight simulator to
practice as much as I can because it’s a
great tool. Despite the fact that you’re
looking at the screen and it’s not as
realistic, it does fly like the real thing.
You can test ideas, work on stick
inputs, and manage your control surfaces
and timing. The rebuild/reset button is
also free, which makes it a must.
MF: This is your second XFC. Tell us
what you learned from the first goround?
RN: What I’ve learned from my first
attempt at XFC is that I thought I could
just show up and do well. I thought I
could just wing it like a fun-fly. I was not
prepared nor did I know how to prepare
for it. In my mind I thought I had what it
takes. But in reality, I was not prepared
for what I did not know.
I was a nervous wreck and I also had
a borrowed model. Besides a great
learning experience, there isn’t much to
talk about.
MF: How do you keep yourself motivated
and not fall victim to burnout?
RN: I like to challenge myself. I give
myself tasks to complete. I make it fun
and I do it for myself now. I’ll master
one hover orientation and I try to see
how I can fly the model in that
orientation. There is so much to learn and
so much to create.
If you learn how to fly the model, I’ll
promise it stays fun. I’m helping a few
members at my local club and as a test
from what I’ve learned, I’ve told them
crashing is not part of flying and learning
and if they want my help, they have to be
100% committed to my way of teaching.
One of them has more than 800 flights in
10 months on a T-Rex 600N at almost 10
minutes a flight. He has had no crashes,
no mechanical failures, and he’s
absolutely tuned in with the model.
MF: Any advice for beginners?
RN: The hobby is supposed to be fun
and to be enjoyed. At any point if you
feel that you’re not having fun, stop and
assess the situation.
I do hope I’ve been able to give you
a tool that helps you like it’s helped me.
I’ve explained many aspects of the
hobby and flying throughout my
answers to your questions.
Never be cocky and always be
courteous to others. Be willing to help
others only if you’re qualified and can
promise results. Be willing to give and to
receive as this is not a one-way road.
Find a reasonable club to be a part of
and don’t be the one who flies at dirt lots
and parking lots. Be safe and become a
member of your local flying site unless
you have open land or a reasonable place
to fly.
I would have to say that you generally
have a better chance of finding good help
at a flying club versus on your own or
without knowledgeable pilots around.
Join some of the forums like RunRyder,
RC Heli Resource, and HeliFreak. Keep
an eye out for local fun-fly events to
attend as it will expose you to great
pilots, skills, and products. Read the
reviews and releases of products.
Knowledge is key and you need to gain
as much as possible so you can make it
as fun and as easy as possible.
MF: Thanks so much, Ray. We really
appreciate your time sharing a great story
of personal achievement.
See you all back here next month. MA
Sources:
International Radio Controlled
Helicopter Association
www.ircha.org
Castle Creations
(913) 390-6939
www.castlecreations.com
Curtis Youngblood Enterprises
(979) 779-2172
http://curtisyoungblood.com
Neu Motors
(858) 674-2250
www.neumotors.com
Pure-Tech Products
(760) 207-0547
http://puretechproducts.com
RealFlight
(800) 637-7660
www.realflight.com
RunRyder
www.runryder.com
RC Heli Resource
www.rcheliresource.com
HeliFreak
www.helifreak.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/08
Page Numbers: 114,115,116,117
HI AND WELCOME back to the
helicopter corner of MA.
August is a big month in the helicopter
world. I hope all of you can make it out to
the biggest event in RC. It is the
International Radio Controlled Helicopter
Association (IRCHA) Jamboree.
August 2011 115
Right: A decade after a debilitating accident, Ray Nemovi is fulfilling
his dream of flying with the best pilots in the world at the 2011 XFC.
Ray Nemovi was instrumental in setting up Jamie Robertson’s
T-Rex 700 for his first-place finish at the 2009 XFC. Ray will be
flying a model of the same design in the 2011 XFC.
paralyzed and doomed to a wheelchair. I suffered a very bad
injury that severed my spinal cord and also many other internal
injuries.
I remember seeing HobbyTown USA one day coming back
from the hospital and I decided to go check it out and find
something to help keep my mind away from the pain and the lifechanging
accident. This was the beginning of the journey that has
led me to this point in my life.
MF: What aspects are the most exciting to you in the hobby?
RN: Model helicopters are exciting because of the level of
difficulty involved. For many people it may be a toy, and as long
as you can make it do tricks, it is cool. Just like many other
hobbies and sports, most people enjoy the use of it.
There are also those who want to go the extra mile and
challenge themselves. You can clearly see an artist at work with
some of the pilots and their machines. The model is an extension
of their coordination and imagination. Just being able to step up to
the flightline with my fellow pilots brings me much excitement.
MF: Why do you like to compete?
RN: I like to compete because I like the challenge. I’m one of
those guys who has been told I can’t do something or I’m not
good enough. I was told I’d never walk and I’ve been told I’m not
that good of a helicopter pilot. I could have packed my bags and
thrown in the towel long ago but, how else will one rise above
something if they don’t challenge themselves?
I believe flying model helicopters is one of the most
challenging things known to mankind. “Real” helicopters sure are
and it takes a special kind of person to handle such machines. I
now have about 40 hours [of flight time] or so in a helicopter and
I’m getting ready to fly solo. It was much easier for me to fly the
real thing over the models.
MF: Has anything from other aspects of your life helped you in
learning to fly helicopters?
RN: My accident has had a life-altering effect on my way of
thinking. We can do anything we set our minds to. We have
infinite intelligence and we can easily do anything once we’re
determined and focused.
We have learned many things and made many tools to help us
along the way. You just have to take the time to research and find
the best route to get to where you want to go.
I spent three-plus years finding ways to walk again. I looked
into medicine, surgery, exercise, and anything else I could find
that would help me. There are books and YouTube videos out
there from people who found ways of making miracles happen.
I had to become the person I wanted to be and each day work
toward making that dream a reality. I made daily, weekly,
monthly, and yearly plans of what I was going to do to achieve
my goals. It was very hard at first but with anything in life, it
takes some time to gain momentum.
Just like those who try to go on a diet, there is no magic pill and it
doesn’t happen overnight. It’s so hard and you’re ready to give up in
08sig4xx_00MSTRPG.QXD 6/23/11 1:35 PM Page 115
only a few days. There is more support by
friends and family to just give up, rather than
pushing you along the way, because of how
hard it is.
As I gained momentum with my health
and now see such amazing results, I’ve
decided to apply that same focus and energy
toward my skill level with model helicopters
and XFC. I have to say that my level of
learning is progressing so rapidly that I’m
now more excited and enjoying myself and
have fun with it despite this major
competition being around the corner.
MF: What is different about your approach
to flying now versus when you first started?
RN: One thing that has changed my whole
approach to flying radio-controlled
helicopters is getting my private pilot’s rotary
license. Taking ground school exposed me to
a major part of flying that I would’ve never
understood. There are so many forces outside
our control and it really helps one with
maintaining total control of the model at all
times. It is one thing you could never do
unless you’re willing to kill yourself, others,
damage property, or simply lose your flying
privilege.
The first thing I had to learn was how to
hold a solid hover. Unlike fixed wing, a
helicopter is designed to be flown precisely.
You don’t have a runway and you usually
have to fly into and land in a tight spot, a bow
of a ship, or platform. You have to be the best
decision maker all the time. You have to be
the mechanic, the pilot, the psychologist, and
anyone else who can help you through any
issue or task at hand.
Flying the aircraft is just a small part of
the process. There is the radio communication
where you have to find your different
frequencies based on your airspace to keep
contact with air traffic, which means you
have to release a control and pull a map to
find information needed.
You’re always visually looking for
obstacles to avoid. Once you’re ready to
fly, you have to be 100% committed and
focused.
I decided to treat my model flying in the
same manner. I see amazing results because
I now have many new tools that keep me
from crashing and I can break down my
flying into simple segments consisting of
mostly basic hover work that leads to
complex maneuvers. I must understand
where the winds are coming from so I can
be able to control my forward flights and
keep consistent altitude, speed, and control.
I’m a totally different pilot now. I feel
that I’m now the commanding pilot of the
aircraft certified to fly the model, as if it
were the real thing.
MF: Do you use a simulator to practice?
RN: I do use the RealFlight simulator to
practice as much as I can because it’s a
great tool. Despite the fact that you’re
looking at the screen and it’s not as
realistic, it does fly like the real thing.
You can test ideas, work on stick
inputs, and manage your control surfaces
and timing. The rebuild/reset button is
also free, which makes it a must.
MF: This is your second XFC. Tell us
what you learned from the first goround?
RN: What I’ve learned from my first
attempt at XFC is that I thought I could
just show up and do well. I thought I
could just wing it like a fun-fly. I was not
prepared nor did I know how to prepare
for it. In my mind I thought I had what it
takes. But in reality, I was not prepared
for what I did not know.
I was a nervous wreck and I also had
a borrowed model. Besides a great
learning experience, there isn’t much to
talk about.
MF: How do you keep yourself motivated
and not fall victim to burnout?
RN: I like to challenge myself. I give
myself tasks to complete. I make it fun
and I do it for myself now. I’ll master
one hover orientation and I try to see
how I can fly the model in that
orientation. There is so much to learn and
so much to create.
If you learn how to fly the model, I’ll
promise it stays fun. I’m helping a few
members at my local club and as a test
from what I’ve learned, I’ve told them
crashing is not part of flying and learning
and if they want my help, they have to be
100% committed to my way of teaching.
One of them has more than 800 flights in
10 months on a T-Rex 600N at almost 10
minutes a flight. He has had no crashes,
no mechanical failures, and he’s
absolutely tuned in with the model.
MF: Any advice for beginners?
RN: The hobby is supposed to be fun
and to be enjoyed. At any point if you
feel that you’re not having fun, stop and
assess the situation.
I do hope I’ve been able to give you
a tool that helps you like it’s helped me.
I’ve explained many aspects of the
hobby and flying throughout my
answers to your questions.
Never be cocky and always be
courteous to others. Be willing to help
others only if you’re qualified and can
promise results. Be willing to give and to
receive as this is not a one-way road.
Find a reasonable club to be a part of
and don’t be the one who flies at dirt lots
and parking lots. Be safe and become a
member of your local flying site unless
you have open land or a reasonable place
to fly.
I would have to say that you generally
have a better chance of finding good help
at a flying club versus on your own or
without knowledgeable pilots around.
Join some of the forums like RunRyder,
RC Heli Resource, and HeliFreak. Keep
an eye out for local fun-fly events to
attend as it will expose you to great
pilots, skills, and products. Read the
reviews and releases of products.
Knowledge is key and you need to gain
as much as possible so you can make it
as fun and as easy as possible.
MF: Thanks so much, Ray. We really
appreciate your time sharing a great story
of personal achievement.
See you all back here next month. MA
Sources:
International Radio Controlled
Helicopter Association
www.ircha.org
Castle Creations
(913) 390-6939
www.castlecreations.com
Curtis Youngblood Enterprises
(979) 779-2172
http://curtisyoungblood.com
Neu Motors
(858) 674-2250
www.neumotors.com
Pure-Tech Products
(760) 207-0547
http://puretechproducts.com
RealFlight
(800) 637-7660
www.realflight.com
RunRyder
www.runryder.com
RC Heli Resource
www.rcheliresource.com
HeliFreak
www.helifreak.com
