Contest Flying: It’s not just for the Pros!

By Len Sabato

Before there was 3D flying, most Heli events throughout the US were based on a contest type format. These contests were in abundance, and had a good following with high attendance and participation. If you are a long time Heli pilot (10-15 years), you may actually remember when Heli contests were held in large numbers, with regular magazine coverage. Much like the buffalo, they have dwindled in recent years, and had neared extinction. In the past, the number of contest in the US had dipped to an all time low of 3! If you are fairly new to the sport (5 years or less), you may have thought that they were extinct, due to the lack of any recent magazine coverage on these types of events.

I am glad to say that within the past few years, there seems to be a resurgence of interest in contest flying. This year, due to the organization of many current contest pilots, event CD's are now making an attempt to work together to schedule events so a strong possibility exists there will be at least 8 contest in the US this year, and their dates will not conflict. With the increase in events, I believe that contests will now be more accessible to more pilots.

You may have said to yourself " I would really like to give the contest thing a try, but I'd be afraid to even take my stuff out of the car", or something to that effect. Well, let me tell you about some of my early contest experiences.

I first became interested in contest flying in early 1989, after reading contest reports in the major magazines for several years. I decided that I would skip the novice class since I could fly around, and that I would fly the Intermediate class. I had a great first year! I placed a close 2nd at the Schluter Cup, and winning my next event! After all the celebration, I discovered that since I had done so well at these events, I pointed out of this class and was thrust into the FAI class! Needless to say, at first I thought that my flying career might be over, but decided what the heck, I will give F3C a try.

Len at one of his first contests: 1990 Len at the 1990 Schluter Cup Contest

My first FAI contest in 1990 also proved to be a success, and I actually won the event! As one could imagine, I thought that I was pretty special and was ready to take on the world! Well, in 1991 I was given that chance as my contest win entitled me to fly at the 1991 US F3C Team Trials. I was ready!

I arrived at the Team Trials site on Friday morning to practice. I was pumped! For years I had been idolizing the "Movie Stars" of the contest scene like Robert Gorham, Wayne Mann, Curtis Youngblood, Cliff Hiatt, and here was my chance to actually compete with them.

As soon as I arrived, I decided to sit back and watch for a while, BIG MISTAKE! As I watched Curtis, Wayne, Robert, Cliff, and many others go through the FAI schedule, I quickly realized that their interpretation of the schedule was far different than mine! I sat there in total amazement, and said to myself "I am NOT getting my stuff out of the car". After about two hours, the shock started to wear off, and I decided that since they were going to see me fly eventually, I might as well get the embarrassment out of the way as quickly as possible. I put in several extremely nervous practice flights, heard no laughter as I finished, and decided that maybe I was not as bad off as I had thought.

After I finished my practice flights, many of the pilots actually came over and introduced themselves, and said that if I needed any help, just to let them know. I would put this offer to the test in one of the first rounds. At the end of a round, when I went to shut down the engine for my Auto, the engine went to full power instead. Not knowing if it was a mechanical or radio problem, I set the machine down at the very end of the field. As the engine was at full power and unloaded, the engine decided it had been through enough and was silenced with an abrupt stop. When I reached the machine, I discovered that the throttle linkage had broken, and the end result was a blown connecting rod.

Feeling an extreme level of embarrassment, I brought my "ONLY" flyable model back to the tent where the installation of a brand new engine was necessary. Soon after I began working on the model before the next round, I was approached by Tom Dooley. Tom has been on the previous World Team, and was flying the same brand of model (Kalt) as I was. Tom introduced himself, and said "What can I do to help". As I rebuilt the model, Tom gave me advice, loaned me tools to make sure that I would have the model ready for the next round.

Len at the 1991 USA Team Trials. Note glazed look on his face!

Although my performance at the event (16th) did not go as I had expected, at least I was not last. I had learned more at this event than any other contest I had attended. I also learned that the pilots were a very friendly group, and most of them had started out in the same manner as I did.

Moral to this long story: Don't be afraid to take your stuff out of the car! The majority of the pilots at these events are very willing to help, as we feel that we need to give back to the sport that has brought us so much pleasure. I can also practically guarantee that at one point in their flying career, they were feeling the same uncertainty as you are now.

Since contests will be on the increase this year, it's a great time to consider giving one a try. Please visit the Contest Calendar portion of my site for the most up to date listing of contests in the US this season.

For those wanting to learn more about contest flying, you need to first take a look at the rules to get a feel for this type of event, check out the AMA's website at: http://www.modelaircraft.org/. Look for the Competition section, and open the "Rules and regulations".

If you have further questions with regards to contest flying, set up, or anything else, just drop me an e-mail. Although I cannot answer every question, I will try to do what I can to get you moving in the right direction.

Go give it a try! I hope to see you at the next contest!

Len Sabato

2003 USA F3C Team