Countdown to Japan!!!!
Click
on photos to enlarge
5/21/03
Len with his #1 Vigor CS Eclipse
and PCM10X Radio System
Initial Thoughts
Well, I am
writing this on May 21st, and we leave for Japan in 4 days. The 3 identical
Vigor CS Eclipse models, and all of my field equipment were shipped out for
Japan on 5/19. Although I will not be able to practice this week, it is
actually a welcomed break of sorts.
We had quite a
scare on the 20th. Sandy developed severe abdominal pains, and all
signs lead to an appendix issue. We spent the evening in the emergency room
where they ran many tests. At 1:30 in the morning, we got the great news that
all was well with her appendix, and that her condition could be treated with medication
alone.
WOW, I could
not think of what I would have done if she needed surgery and would not have
been able to make the trip. If I learned 1 thing, it was not to take good
health for granted!
Now that we
have gotten through this scare, I have had a minute to think about things. The
last 6 months have gone by in a flash! I have spent the majority of my free
time over this period working and planning for the Worlds. It seems much like
planning for a big wedding, 6 months of preparation, and it will seem like it
is over in a matter of hours.
Hopefully, if
I have done my homework, the models will be ready and flying well when we get
to Japan. Once the pilot gets over the jetlag, hopefully he will be flying well
also. Everyone has been wishing me good luck and telling me to enjoy myself,
but I am feeling that I have a job to do: Support my fellow teammates, and help
us to earn a top spot in the team standings! Once the finals start though, it
is every man for himself!
We have not
even left for this trip yet, and it has been a great experience for me. I have
a newfound appreciation for pilots like Curtis, Wayne, Dwight, Cliff, and
others before me that have performed at this level year in and year out. It
takes an extreme amount of commitment and discipline, as well as a VERY
understanding spouse. Unless you have tried to make a world team, you really do
not have any idea of the time that each of these pilots spend to hone their
models and their skills to this level. I for sure had no clue until now.
Len
with the “triplets” just before they
A striking shot of the 3 Worlds bound models
were
disassembled and put in the crates
Getting Prepared!
The preparation for an event of this magnitude for me has
been a monumental task, while also holding down a full time position of
responsibility at Horizon. I must admit that it has been a labor of love for
me, as I am extremely fortunate to be living a dream that I have had for years
in making the USA team. It took a lot of luck, determination and effort to get
here, but it has already been worth every minute!
I am hoping that my lucky streak did not end at Birmingham
this March, and that I can continue to carry momentum into the Worlds so I can
have a good shot at the finals. Even if my luck has run its course, I am sure
that it will still be an experience that I will never forget!
Interior
shots of Len’s #1 Vigor Eclipse equipped with JR DS8311 servos, YS91 engine,
and PowerFlite lithium prismatic batteries
The Models
The model that you see above is my #1 Vigor CS
with Eclipse fuselage and homemade retractable landing skids. There are quite a
few other modifications to the rotor head and Swashplate, that are extremely
similar to the mods that Curtis does to his models to reduce the flybar
authority. The models are sporting JR DS8311 digital servos and YS91 Heli
engines complete with KSJ mufflers. In the past few weeks, I changed gear
ratios from the previous 7.6:1 up to the current 8.0:1 ratio. The 7.6 was
really pulling well until the humidity went up, and then the power fell off the
chart! I am running a very large 64” disc (720mm blades), so I guess I was just
asking a little to much from the YS91, especially given the fact that I am
running a “home brew” fuel mix of 22 ½% nitro, and 16% oil. Going back to the 8.0 ratio really lets
the engine unload upstairs, and the noise level did not increase significantly.
The
crates holding the 3 Eclipse models, 3 transmitters and some additional
supplies.
The
models are all packed up and ready to head back to the “motherland” Japan.
Len
said “goodbye” to the models, and can’t wait to say “Ohayo-Gozimus” when he
sees them in Japan!
2
additional boxes containing field equipment and parts were also shipped at a
total weight of nearly 250lbs!
Shipping the Models and Supplies
The crates above were custom made by a local wood worker
extraordinaire by the name of Tony Bennett. The crates are just within the Fed
Ex maximum size limit of 130” total. Crate #1 holds models #1 & #2, while
crate #2 holds model #3 and the 3 transmitters needed for the event. I also had
to ship 2 additional boxes containing all of my flight gear, tools, and Vigor
CS support parts. It seems like I packed up my complete shop! Dremel tool, dial
indicator, base, and vise, soldering iron and supplies, you name it, it’s in
Japan!
Since I had to ship all of my equipment, there has been no
practice for me this week. Dwight elected to do the same as well, while “Mr.
Practice” Wayne has kept 1 model and transmitter behind to fly this week.
I personally have welcomed the break this week, as it will
help me to clear my head before we get down to business in Japan. I have burned
around 20 gallons of fuel in the past 2 ½ months, flying whenever I could
weather permitting. I took a few days off work in the past several weeks, and
generally would log 10-12 flights each day during this time off.
Worlds Coverage
The actual dates for the competition are June 1st
through June 8th. June 1st through the 4th are
the preliminary rounds, and the final results on the 4th will
determine both the final team standings, and who will advance to the finals.
The finalists will be either the top 20% of the pilots, or the top 10 pilots
(whichever is greater). June 5th is a reserve day, and the finals
will be on June 6th (Sandy and my 8th wedding
anniversary) and 7th. June 8th will be a flight show
consisting of the finalists, and other pilots.
The following websites will have day-by-day coverage of the
events:
USA F3C Team Site: www.usaf3c.com
RunRyder.com: www.runryder.com
In closing, I would like to thank all of the pilots and
corporate sponsors that have given us an overwhelming level of support this
year. None of us know what lies ahead, but I know for sure that for me it will
be nothing less than a “once in a lifetime experience” at the very least!
Go Team USA!!!!!!!
Len Sabato
2003 USA F3C Team
