T hanks for checking out the “RC Helicopter” column this month. I have more
coverage from the International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association
(IRCHA) Jamboree held at the AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana. So much is going on at this event that it is impossible to squeeze it
all into one article.
The record attendance (1,049 registered pilots) is a testament to the health of our
little corner of the RC world. RC heli pilots are some of the most active hobbyists,
and many of them attend numerous events throughout the year. The enthusiasm
level remains high for individuals and helicopter groups. This could be because
helicopters are so much fun to fly.
It is not unusual to have seasoned pilots step up and take their particular interests
to new levels. One of those special people is Ray Stacy. He has been in the helicopter
hobby for a long time and his son, Kyle, is one of the world’s top pilots.
Several years ago, Ray decided to put together an organized autorotation contest
at the Jamboree. He
thought pilots would get
a kick out of an engine-off
competition.
An autorotation is
an unpowered landing.
The helicopter blades
windmill through the air
similar to a maple leaf
whirling down from a tree. During the
autorotation, the pilot is in complete
control—maintaining pitch and roll
functions. The heli still flies the same
way as powered flight, except you need
to make sure it is always in a descent so
the blades continue spinning.
If the pilot lowers the collective
pitch to a negative position, then the
rotor blades will keep spinning. When
the helicopter nears the ground, the
pilot must gradually feed in positive
collective pitch to slow the descent. This
must be done carefully because adding
pitch also slows the blades and they will
eventually stop and the heli will fall.
Making a good autorotation requires
using all of the spinning blade inertia as
the heli touches down. It is not easy to
do.
Pilots signed up and the 2012
Autorotation Contest was underway.
Spectators enjoyed watching and lined
the west end of the flightline as Ray got
things started. The helicopters took off
and flew up to a few hundred feet, then
cut the throttle and free-wheeled down
in an attempt to hit a target on the
ground. Measurements were taken from
the nose of the heli to the target, and
rules and safety measures, the event
SPEED CUP
WINNERS
SPEED COMPETITION
CSOPEMEDP ECTUIPTION SPEED CO
# Name Helicopter Class Time
1 Stefan Segerer Henseleit TDR Stock Electric 137.4
2 Jan Henseleit Henseleit TDR Stock Electric 133.3
3 Timo Wendtland Henseleit TDR Stock Electric 132.4
1 Dennis Groves T-Rex 700N Stock Stock ICE 90.0
2 Raja Bortcosh MA Whiplash Gasser Stock ICE 88.9
3 Adam Mancini MA Whiplash Gasser Stock ICE 83.7
1 Scott Yow TDR SFR Unlimited Class 143.9
2 Oliver Jellen TDR with speed canopy Unlimited Class 141.4
3 Danny Melnik Suzi Laos Unlimited Class 122.2
2012 IRCHA Speed Cup
Santigo Panzardi submitted this report
from his IRCHA Speed Cup event.
“Once a year, during the IRCHA
Jamboree, the largest gathering of speed
enthusiasts gets together to compete
in what is becoming the Bonneville
Speedway for RC helicopters, better
known as the IRCHA Speed Cup. This
annual event started last year—drawing
almost 30 contestants. This year we
opted for several “stock” helicopter
classes in hopes [of appealing to] the
average modeler.
“The IRCHA Speed Cup consists
of fl ying a conventional helicopter
in level fl ight at maximum speed
through a 200-meter straight course
from opposite directions. The speed
is calculated from the time of both
passes and averaged to determine the
true speed of the machine. Times are
measured by two manually operated
digital chronometers in a system put
together by champion heli drag racer
Ken Jennings.
“After a pilots’ meeting to review thehelicopter to enter into a retreating
blade stall at over 140 mph.
“This was probably the most violent
reaction we have ever witnessed of a
model in flight. But amazingly, Olli,
who was not new to this issue, made
an incredible save, preventing the rotor
from collapsing from the hard pitch
over, and safely autorotating in.
“For those not familiar with helicopter
retreating blade stalls, this occurs when a
helicopter flies faster than its maximum
“stable” speed and the retreating side of
the rotor can no longer create enough
lift to maintain the heli level due to the
speed differential. The result is a fast
and brutal pitch up that can destroy the
rotor (and the heli) instantaneously.
“In the Nitro-Gasser class, the newly
released Miniature Aircraft Whiplash
Gasser was the weapon of choice.
Several were flown by last year’s top
two winners in the Gasser class: Adam
Mancini and Raja [Bortcosh].
“Larry Smith flew the third Whippy.
Nob Muraki and Dennis Groves flew
T-Rex 700s, while Nathan Rigaud used
a Rave ENV and Howard Boucha flew
a Freya X-Spec. In the end, it was a
speed duel between the two smoothest
pilots in the event, Dennis and Raja,
with Dennis becoming the first IRCHA
Speed Cup repeat class champion. The
speed differential between the winning
nitro-powered T-Rex and the Whiplash
Gasser was a scant 1.1 mph.
“In the premier event, Bruce
Thompson brought back his composite
T-Rex 700, but with a higher-wattage
motor and [a] bigger propeller on the
nose of this engineering wonder. This
helicopter is very unique, very fast, and
very difficult to fly, as the pilot has to
enter at the perfect angle when engaging
the front motor.
“When aimed perfectly, this machine
resembles a high-speed autogyro
being pulled by a NASA rocket; [it’s
more] than a conventional helicopter.
Unfortunately, Bruce’s T-Rex smoked
the front engine controller before
completing two successful passes and
retiring with a DNF [did not finish].
Danny Melnik flew an exotic 800mm
Suzi Laos reaching 122 mph, while
veteran Chuck Bole flew a 14S-powered
Synergy E7.
“The big fight in Unlimited was down
to Oliver, with a 14S Speed TDR, and
Scott Yow’s 16S SFR TDR sporting a
homemade speed body. Olli’s Unlimited
TDR entry with custom secondary
metal main gear suffered no issues of
overpowering the gear train as he set
a speed of 141 mph, but Scott and his
partner Rick would not be denied. The
SFR managed an average speed for two
passes of almost 144 mph, with the
single fastest pass at over 150 mph!
“Huge thanks to [the] IRCHA staff
for supporting the event, [and] to our
sponsors—HeliCommand, Scorpion
Power System, Minicopter, ReadyHeli
and Hobbico—for the prizes and
cash, and to Ken Jennings, Dan Buzza,
Ben Chase, Chris Bates, and the rest
[of the] event workers for making it
possible. Congratulations to the winner
of the Minicopter
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/12
Page Numbers: 107,108,110
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/12
Page Numbers: 107,108,110
T hanks for checking out the “RC Helicopter” column this month. I have more
coverage from the International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association
(IRCHA) Jamboree held at the AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana. So much is going on at this event that it is impossible to squeeze it
all into one article.
The record attendance (1,049 registered pilots) is a testament to the health of our
little corner of the RC world. RC heli pilots are some of the most active hobbyists,
and many of them attend numerous events throughout the year. The enthusiasm
level remains high for individuals and helicopter groups. This could be because
helicopters are so much fun to fly.
It is not unusual to have seasoned pilots step up and take their particular interests
to new levels. One of those special people is Ray Stacy. He has been in the helicopter
hobby for a long time and his son, Kyle, is one of the world’s top pilots.
Several years ago, Ray decided to put together an organized autorotation contest
at the Jamboree. He
thought pilots would get
a kick out of an engine-off
competition.
An autorotation is
an unpowered landing.
The helicopter blades
windmill through the air
similar to a maple leaf
whirling down from a tree. During the
autorotation, the pilot is in complete
control—maintaining pitch and roll
functions. The heli still flies the same
way as powered flight, except you need
to make sure it is always in a descent so
the blades continue spinning.
If the pilot lowers the collective
pitch to a negative position, then the
rotor blades will keep spinning. When
the helicopter nears the ground, the
pilot must gradually feed in positive
collective pitch to slow the descent. This
must be done carefully because adding
pitch also slows the blades and they will
eventually stop and the heli will fall.
Making a good autorotation requires
using all of the spinning blade inertia as
the heli touches down. It is not easy to
do.
Pilots signed up and the 2012
Autorotation Contest was underway.
Spectators enjoyed watching and lined
the west end of the flightline as Ray got
things started. The helicopters took off
and flew up to a few hundred feet, then
cut the throttle and free-wheeled down
in an attempt to hit a target on the
ground. Measurements were taken from
the nose of the heli to the target, and
rules and safety measures, the event
SPEED CUP
WINNERS
SPEED COMPETITION
CSOPEMEDP ECTUIPTION SPEED CO
# Name Helicopter Class Time
1 Stefan Segerer Henseleit TDR Stock Electric 137.4
2 Jan Henseleit Henseleit TDR Stock Electric 133.3
3 Timo Wendtland Henseleit TDR Stock Electric 132.4
1 Dennis Groves T-Rex 700N Stock Stock ICE 90.0
2 Raja Bortcosh MA Whiplash Gasser Stock ICE 88.9
3 Adam Mancini MA Whiplash Gasser Stock ICE 83.7
1 Scott Yow TDR SFR Unlimited Class 143.9
2 Oliver Jellen TDR with speed canopy Unlimited Class 141.4
3 Danny Melnik Suzi Laos Unlimited Class 122.2
2012 IRCHA Speed Cup
Santigo Panzardi submitted this report
from his IRCHA Speed Cup event.
“Once a year, during the IRCHA
Jamboree, the largest gathering of speed
enthusiasts gets together to compete
in what is becoming the Bonneville
Speedway for RC helicopters, better
known as the IRCHA Speed Cup. This
annual event started last year—drawing
almost 30 contestants. This year we
opted for several “stock” helicopter
classes in hopes [of appealing to] the
average modeler.
“The IRCHA Speed Cup consists
of fl ying a conventional helicopter
in level fl ight at maximum speed
through a 200-meter straight course
from opposite directions. The speed
is calculated from the time of both
passes and averaged to determine the
true speed of the machine. Times are
measured by two manually operated
digital chronometers in a system put
together by champion heli drag racer
Ken Jennings.
“After a pilots’ meeting to review thehelicopter to enter into a retreating
blade stall at over 140 mph.
“This was probably the most violent
reaction we have ever witnessed of a
model in flight. But amazingly, Olli,
who was not new to this issue, made
an incredible save, preventing the rotor
from collapsing from the hard pitch
over, and safely autorotating in.
“For those not familiar with helicopter
retreating blade stalls, this occurs when a
helicopter flies faster than its maximum
“stable” speed and the retreating side of
the rotor can no longer create enough
lift to maintain the heli level due to the
speed differential. The result is a fast
and brutal pitch up that can destroy the
rotor (and the heli) instantaneously.
“In the Nitro-Gasser class, the newly
released Miniature Aircraft Whiplash
Gasser was the weapon of choice.
Several were flown by last year’s top
two winners in the Gasser class: Adam
Mancini and Raja [Bortcosh].
“Larry Smith flew the third Whippy.
Nob Muraki and Dennis Groves flew
T-Rex 700s, while Nathan Rigaud used
a Rave ENV and Howard Boucha flew
a Freya X-Spec. In the end, it was a
speed duel between the two smoothest
pilots in the event, Dennis and Raja,
with Dennis becoming the first IRCHA
Speed Cup repeat class champion. The
speed differential between the winning
nitro-powered T-Rex and the Whiplash
Gasser was a scant 1.1 mph.
“In the premier event, Bruce
Thompson brought back his composite
T-Rex 700, but with a higher-wattage
motor and [a] bigger propeller on the
nose of this engineering wonder. This
helicopter is very unique, very fast, and
very difficult to fly, as the pilot has to
enter at the perfect angle when engaging
the front motor.
“When aimed perfectly, this machine
resembles a high-speed autogyro
being pulled by a NASA rocket; [it’s
more] than a conventional helicopter.
Unfortunately, Bruce’s T-Rex smoked
the front engine controller before
completing two successful passes and
retiring with a DNF [did not finish].
Danny Melnik flew an exotic 800mm
Suzi Laos reaching 122 mph, while
veteran Chuck Bole flew a 14S-powered
Synergy E7.
“The big fight in Unlimited was down
to Oliver, with a 14S Speed TDR, and
Scott Yow’s 16S SFR TDR sporting a
homemade speed body. Olli’s Unlimited
TDR entry with custom secondary
metal main gear suffered no issues of
overpowering the gear train as he set
a speed of 141 mph, but Scott and his
partner Rick would not be denied. The
SFR managed an average speed for two
passes of almost 144 mph, with the
single fastest pass at over 150 mph!
“Huge thanks to [the] IRCHA staff
for supporting the event, [and] to our
sponsors—HeliCommand, Scorpion
Power System, Minicopter, ReadyHeli
and Hobbico—for the prizes and
cash, and to Ken Jennings, Dan Buzza,
Ben Chase, Chris Bates, and the rest
[of the] event workers for making it
possible. Congratulations to the winner
of the Minicopter
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/12
Page Numbers: 107,108,110
T hanks for checking out the “RC Helicopter” column this month. I have more
coverage from the International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association
(IRCHA) Jamboree held at the AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana. So much is going on at this event that it is impossible to squeeze it
all into one article.
The record attendance (1,049 registered pilots) is a testament to the health of our
little corner of the RC world. RC heli pilots are some of the most active hobbyists,
and many of them attend numerous events throughout the year. The enthusiasm
level remains high for individuals and helicopter groups. This could be because
helicopters are so much fun to fly.
It is not unusual to have seasoned pilots step up and take their particular interests
to new levels. One of those special people is Ray Stacy. He has been in the helicopter
hobby for a long time and his son, Kyle, is one of the world’s top pilots.
Several years ago, Ray decided to put together an organized autorotation contest
at the Jamboree. He
thought pilots would get
a kick out of an engine-off
competition.
An autorotation is
an unpowered landing.
The helicopter blades
windmill through the air
similar to a maple leaf
whirling down from a tree. During the
autorotation, the pilot is in complete
control—maintaining pitch and roll
functions. The heli still flies the same
way as powered flight, except you need
to make sure it is always in a descent so
the blades continue spinning.
If the pilot lowers the collective
pitch to a negative position, then the
rotor blades will keep spinning. When
the helicopter nears the ground, the
pilot must gradually feed in positive
collective pitch to slow the descent. This
must be done carefully because adding
pitch also slows the blades and they will
eventually stop and the heli will fall.
Making a good autorotation requires
using all of the spinning blade inertia as
the heli touches down. It is not easy to
do.
Pilots signed up and the 2012
Autorotation Contest was underway.
Spectators enjoyed watching and lined
the west end of the flightline as Ray got
things started. The helicopters took off
and flew up to a few hundred feet, then
cut the throttle and free-wheeled down
in an attempt to hit a target on the
ground. Measurements were taken from
the nose of the heli to the target, and
rules and safety measures, the event
SPEED CUP
WINNERS
SPEED COMPETITION
CSOPEMEDP ECTUIPTION SPEED CO
# Name Helicopter Class Time
1 Stefan Segerer Henseleit TDR Stock Electric 137.4
2 Jan Henseleit Henseleit TDR Stock Electric 133.3
3 Timo Wendtland Henseleit TDR Stock Electric 132.4
1 Dennis Groves T-Rex 700N Stock Stock ICE 90.0
2 Raja Bortcosh MA Whiplash Gasser Stock ICE 88.9
3 Adam Mancini MA Whiplash Gasser Stock ICE 83.7
1 Scott Yow TDR SFR Unlimited Class 143.9
2 Oliver Jellen TDR with speed canopy Unlimited Class 141.4
3 Danny Melnik Suzi Laos Unlimited Class 122.2
2012 IRCHA Speed Cup
Santigo Panzardi submitted this report
from his IRCHA Speed Cup event.
“Once a year, during the IRCHA
Jamboree, the largest gathering of speed
enthusiasts gets together to compete
in what is becoming the Bonneville
Speedway for RC helicopters, better
known as the IRCHA Speed Cup. This
annual event started last year—drawing
almost 30 contestants. This year we
opted for several “stock” helicopter
classes in hopes [of appealing to] the
average modeler.
“The IRCHA Speed Cup consists
of fl ying a conventional helicopter
in level fl ight at maximum speed
through a 200-meter straight course
from opposite directions. The speed
is calculated from the time of both
passes and averaged to determine the
true speed of the machine. Times are
measured by two manually operated
digital chronometers in a system put
together by champion heli drag racer
Ken Jennings.
“After a pilots’ meeting to review thehelicopter to enter into a retreating
blade stall at over 140 mph.
“This was probably the most violent
reaction we have ever witnessed of a
model in flight. But amazingly, Olli,
who was not new to this issue, made
an incredible save, preventing the rotor
from collapsing from the hard pitch
over, and safely autorotating in.
“For those not familiar with helicopter
retreating blade stalls, this occurs when a
helicopter flies faster than its maximum
“stable” speed and the retreating side of
the rotor can no longer create enough
lift to maintain the heli level due to the
speed differential. The result is a fast
and brutal pitch up that can destroy the
rotor (and the heli) instantaneously.
“In the Nitro-Gasser class, the newly
released Miniature Aircraft Whiplash
Gasser was the weapon of choice.
Several were flown by last year’s top
two winners in the Gasser class: Adam
Mancini and Raja [Bortcosh].
“Larry Smith flew the third Whippy.
Nob Muraki and Dennis Groves flew
T-Rex 700s, while Nathan Rigaud used
a Rave ENV and Howard Boucha flew
a Freya X-Spec. In the end, it was a
speed duel between the two smoothest
pilots in the event, Dennis and Raja,
with Dennis becoming the first IRCHA
Speed Cup repeat class champion. The
speed differential between the winning
nitro-powered T-Rex and the Whiplash
Gasser was a scant 1.1 mph.
“In the premier event, Bruce
Thompson brought back his composite
T-Rex 700, but with a higher-wattage
motor and [a] bigger propeller on the
nose of this engineering wonder. This
helicopter is very unique, very fast, and
very difficult to fly, as the pilot has to
enter at the perfect angle when engaging
the front motor.
“When aimed perfectly, this machine
resembles a high-speed autogyro
being pulled by a NASA rocket; [it’s
more] than a conventional helicopter.
Unfortunately, Bruce’s T-Rex smoked
the front engine controller before
completing two successful passes and
retiring with a DNF [did not finish].
Danny Melnik flew an exotic 800mm
Suzi Laos reaching 122 mph, while
veteran Chuck Bole flew a 14S-powered
Synergy E7.
“The big fight in Unlimited was down
to Oliver, with a 14S Speed TDR, and
Scott Yow’s 16S SFR TDR sporting a
homemade speed body. Olli’s Unlimited
TDR entry with custom secondary
metal main gear suffered no issues of
overpowering the gear train as he set
a speed of 141 mph, but Scott and his
partner Rick would not be denied. The
SFR managed an average speed for two
passes of almost 144 mph, with the
single fastest pass at over 150 mph!
“Huge thanks to [the] IRCHA staff
for supporting the event, [and] to our
sponsors—HeliCommand, Scorpion
Power System, Minicopter, ReadyHeli
and Hobbico—for the prizes and
cash, and to Ken Jennings, Dan Buzza,
Ben Chase, Chris Bates, and the rest
[of the] event workers for making it
possible. Congratulations to the winner
of the Minicopter
