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Aerobatic FAI F3C Contest > I'm compiling a 2008 Contest Flying event list
 
 
RCHelicopterGuy
Veteran
Location: Michigan

Hi all,

I was thinking that part of the reason for the low visibility of Contest Flying in the U.S. can be blamed in part on not knowing when and where the events are (at least that's held me up in the past).

I would like to compile a list of all the 2008 FAI-style events and keep them in a master list that will be posted in all the major forums, as well as hopefully a few magazines. But I need your help.

If you know of specific dates and locations for any events on next year's calendar, please PM me with the information and I'll do my best to keep a Master Schedule. I'll also do my best to get detailed lists of local accomodations and directions, so if you can assist with any of that information as well, I'd appreciate it.

Hopefully, with your help, this will be a reference that people can use to plan out their seasons, and also give people who are just learning about the sport an opportunity to plan attending, if not compete.

I'm also looking at starting a website dedicated to archiving information about FAI helicopter competition worldwide, but I need to get a hold of Horace Hagen to make sure that I don't mistakenly infringe on any copyrights to the FAI name. If anyone can tell me how to get a hold of Horace, I'd appreciate it.

Compiling a Master Schedule may not be a big deal, but I'm hoping that it's one way that I can help. I'd appreciate any and all information you'd be willing to share.
09-21-2007 11:14 PM
 
 
Dr.Ben
Elite Veteran
Location: Richmond, VA, USA

You are so right about poor communication to those outside the group. We all know what is going to occur and when, but as a group we do a poor job of letting the general public know.

There will hopefully be a Huntsville event in November, then Erich's Tampa event in March, then maybe we can get the B'ham event going again in 2008, Chattanooga somewhere in there, then Nashville in June (one of the oldest events in the US), then the Nats.

As Erich can attest, all you need to do to hold an event is provide a site and a computer.

Ben Minor
09-22-2007 12:13 AM
 
 
ErichF
Key Veteran
Location: Odessa, FL 33556 (Tampa Area)

Roger that. Oh, and that computer should have MS Access on it to run CDPro from Dan Monroe.

I'm somewhat considering dropping the funfly line from my next contest. On the other hand, having the funfly line will draw some more cash into the pot to allow me to pay for the EVO 90 to give to the winner of class 1.

The Tampa contest is March 7-9th, 2008. Flying site is Can-Am flyers in Zephyrhills, FL near I-75 and State Road 52.

More to come.

Erich
09-22-2007 06:01 AM
 
 
jonesjj
Senior Heliman
Location: Northern IL

This sounds like a great idea, myself just getting into this type of flying and wanting to do contest flying it will be nice to know if there are any events for this in the midwest / upper midwest.

Jeff
09-22-2007 12:29 PM
 
 
RCHelicopterGuy
Veteran
Location: Michigan

Jeff,

I'm with you. It would be nice if there were some competitions in the northern Indiana/Ohio/southern Michigan area. I've even considered hosting an event of my own, but to be honest I don't think my club's field is big enough, not to mention that in order to get any decent accomodations you'd have to drive 20-30 miles.

Erich,

In terms of flight line length, what would you consider to be the minimum size field to properly host an event?

Thanks for the info on your event. If you happen to already have a list of local hotel accomodations, would you PM that to me?
09-22-2007 03:00 PM
 
 
ErichF
Key Veteran
Location: Odessa, FL 33556 (Tampa Area)

It's not really the size of the field itself that matters, as long as you have good lengths of permissive over flight on each end. The Nashville field is a good example. The field is only about 1800 feet or so long, and not very deep. However, the overflight in the ends is available. It's the same with the field I host my contest at, except my field is also very deep.

Some of these guys go out on the ends a good 1000 feet or so. Normally, we don't fly very deep in the field, however.

Erich
09-22-2007 04:26 PM
 
 
RCHelicopterGuy
Veteran
Location: Michigan

The next time I go to my field, I'll try to get some measurements and pictures. It may be workable, if the Class 3 and FAI guys were on the left side of the field, and Class 1 and 2 on the right. I'll have to look at it some more.
09-22-2007 06:22 PM
 
 
ErichF
Key Veteran
Location: Odessa, FL 33556 (Tampa Area)

You really only need to run one box. Only if you get more than 15 pilots would you need to split the lines. I haven't seen a contest with more than that, in the past two years.

Erich
09-22-2007 07:42 PM
 
 
RCHelicopterGuy
Veteran
Location: Michigan

A bump to the top for the sake of reminders.

If anyone has specific information on events for next year, please PM the info to me so that I can put it on the Master List.

I also did a little investigating, and found that I could possibly hold an event at the Watervliet, MI airport, which is the same site that Bergen R/C has used in years past for their annual funfly. Watervliet Airport is a small grass airport with an East-West and a North-South approach. There's more than sufficient room to hold two simultaneous flight lines on either runway if desired.

Watervliet, MI is a realtively small town of a few thousand in southwest Michigan, but has a new national chain hotel (Hampton Inn, I think... just finishing building it), many fast food restaurants, some Mom & Pop eatouts, and is within a 15-minute drive of St. Joseph, MI, which has movie theaters, malls, etc. Watervliet Airport has also allowed people with RV's to park overnite on site at past Bergen funflies. It's located at Exit 41 on I-94 in Michigan.

I'm seriously considering hosting an event for sometime next season, but I'd like to pose a few questions first: (a) Is there any interest at all in an event in the Midwest, (b) What would be the best time of year to do it, and (c) If I did host one, would any of you heavy hitters be willing to attend? I'd like the main focus to be drawing people in to try out the lower classes, but if I could be fairly certain that at least a few Big Names from Class 3 and F3C would show up, it would lend credibility to the event, plus add a knowledge base that would be beneficial to any newcomers who choose to attend (myself included).
10-24-2007 04:27 PM
 
 
Foamy Love
Heliman
Location: Shelby Township, MI

If you had an event in MI I'll be there and I'll bring at least 2 more.
10-24-2007 08:30 PM
 
 
RCHelicopterGuy
Veteran
Location: Michigan

Glad to hear it! Rob Giles is in the Detroit area, isn't he? Is he still flying F3C?

I'm going to start a different thread for the Midwest query, so that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle.
10-24-2007 08:37 PM
 
 
Ace Dude
Elite Veteran
Location: USA

Something in the Northeast would be nice.



10-24-2007 09:15 PM
 
 
RCHelicopterGuy
Veteran
Location: Michigan

Unless they move Michigan to New England in the next 6 months, you're on your own.

As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Why not host an event yourself? Then there's two more on next year's schedule!
10-24-2007 09:33 PM
 
 
Ace Dude
Elite Veteran
Location: USA

Quote 
Unless they move Michigan to New England in the next 6 months, you're on your own.

I was afraid of that. At least I can place well in my own event when I'm the only one who enters.



10-25-2007 01:51 AM
 
 
cyclic fever
Senior Heliman
Location: Seymour Indiana

LOL...
10-25-2007 12:11 PM
 
 
Ace Dude
Elite Veteran
Location: USA

There have only been a few participants in Class II at the Nats in recent years. Looks like you easily place in the the top five just for showing up and participating.



10-26-2007 11:55 AM
 
 
RCHelicopterGuy
Veteran
Location: Michigan

A bump back to the top.

It'll be flying season before long. So far, the only one who has told me anything personally is Erich.

To date, we have:

* Tampa Bay Heli Classic - March 7-9
* Lake City, SC event - April 18-20
* AMA Nationals / Team Trials - July 15-19

What else? If anyone has an event scheduled for 2008, please PM me the necessary information. If needed, I can also provide my phone number in private.

Harkey has an event, right? Isn't there usually something in Chattanooga, too? NashVegas? Keokuk? Walla Walla?
02-05-2008 05:01 PM
 
 
copterviews
Key Veteran
Location: Myrtle Beach SC

I was going to say put us down (lake City) but I see you have already done this!!
Thanks!
02-05-2008 08:49 PM
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Wa11banger
Elite Veteran
Location: Huntsville, Al

We held a funtest here in Huntsville last year.. It is up to you all to give Steve H the feedback to see if you want us to host a real event. We are more than happy to do so. It just depends on your alls liking and schedules.

Rick

Proud member of the Quick UK, Duralite Flight Systems, V-Blade, and K&B Dream Designs Teams
02-05-2008 08:51 PM
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Aerobatic FAI F3C Contest > I'm compiling a 2008 Contest Flying event list
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