AMCross
Jun 30, 2004, 02:00 AM
!introduction
<div align="center">
<img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/rcpowermag/2004/jun/xfc/xfclong.jpg">
</div>
The XFC is the brain child of world-renowned aerobatic pilot Frank Noll, Jr. The primary goal of the XFC is to bring together the best 3D-capable pilots in the world -- acro and heli alike -- and ask them to compete against pilots of their own model type in a single competition that combines precision and accuracy -- by including challenging known maneuvers -- into a choreographed freestyle routine. The result is some really AMAZING flying without the 'yawn factor' of most precision aerobatic competitions.
The feedback on the first year's airplane division was that it became a 'hover-fest'. "All anyone did was torque rolls a few feet off the ground," commented more than one spectator. And that made sense, since the timing of the event was at a time when torque rolling and REALLY large (35%+) scale aerobatic airplanes had just really become accessible to a much larger class of pilot. But the presenters obviously knew that it would take more than that to get a crowd, and keep one, and the format of this year's event resulted in actually less "near the ground" "below stall speed" true 3D aerobatics for the aircraft pilots than at least this author would've liked to see.
You see, an important piece of a good aerobatic freestyle is to use the entire flight box (or area you are allowed to fly in), AND to use the entire flight envelope of the model -- from its maximum speed such as full throttle passes with full stick rolls -- to its minimum speed, which for these aerobatic planes is a perfect hover, or harriers, torque rolls and tail slides.
In watching the flights I was able to see (unfortunately I could only attend Saturday), it was apparent the judges also felt that using the full flight envelope was important, and the really exceptional pilots at this event -- repeated world champions like Quique and Curtis -- used the full speed envelope and the whole box with grace, class, and exquisite control.
@908228:Waco Field, the current home of the XFC, is quite aptly named, as the area is the original home of Waco Aircraft.
@908229:Details of the completion of this Waco! It was an enjoyable distraction as we all waited in the hangar for the morning thundershower to blow over.
!!Safety Rules
+908254:Pilot Marty Kuhns' impressive 2nd round was cut short due to his crossing the 'no fly zone' at approximately 1 1/2 minutes into his flight. Exceptional contest safety management -- no warnings, no single-manuever-zeros; the pilot is immediately grounded. Marty's sponsors include Horizon, VBlades, OS, Cool Power and CJ muscle pipes.
The XFC management obviously takes safety VERY seriously. A dead-line exists a set distance in front of the judges, and 2 additional officials are used at this event strictly to police this deadline. At most events, cross the line and you will get a zero for the maneuver you were doing at the time and maybe a scolding. At this event, as you can see watching Marty Kuhns' video above, cross the dead line one time and the horn sounds, the pilot is required to land, and the flight is over, disqualified. This level of respect for safety deserves a huge round of applause.
Alternatively, they also realize that allowing aerobatics below 20 feet does not necessarily CREATE a safety risk -- a harrier-ing model at 8 feet can more easily be forced to the ground in case of an equipment problem than one at 20 feet -- and they do not impose a hard deck under which the pilots may not fly.
In this writer's opinion, this group obviously gets it right -- you can have a REALLY impressive aerobatic show, with great crowd turn out and lots of "oohs and awwws" without compromising safety.
!!Required Helictoper Manuevers
There are 3 required heli maneuvers. Explanations courtesy of the <a href="http://www.xfc-rc.com">Official XFC Website</a>:
!!!Vertical ½ Roll, 4-Pt Inverted Pirouette, ½ Roll Backwards, Inverted Exit
+908255:Curtis Youngblood executes the challenging required maneuver one.
Model flies straight and level parallel to the flight line for 10m before pulling into a 90-degree vertical ascent on the centerline. While climbing vertically the model performs a ½ axial roll (either direction) and continues vertically. At the top of the ascent the model executes a ¼ inside tumble (rear cyclic) followed by a stationary inverted hover. After a minimum 2 second pause the model begins a series of four 90-degree rotations (either direction) on the yaw axis, pausing at each point a minimum of 2 seconds. Upon completion of the last point the model will be pointed in the same direction as at the start of the rotation. The model then performs a ¼ outside tumble (forward cyclic) followed by a vertical backward descent on the original centerline. The model then performs a ½ axial roll (either direction) followed by a 90-degree exit parallel to the ground flying backward inverted for another 10m.
*Significant points were deducted for the following reasons:
*Ascending/descending segments are not at true vertical
*Ascending/descending segments are not centered on pilots position
*Model drifts vertically or horizontally during 4 point pirouetting segment
*Point pauses are less than 2 seconds in duration
*Entry and exit elevations are not at the same altitude and parallel to the flight line
!!!Pirouetting Loop with Yaw Reversals
Model flies straight and level for 10m parallel to the flight line while performing continuous pirouettes (rotating either direction) at a constant rate. As the model crosses centerline model begins ½ a vertical loop while continuing to pirouette. At the top of the loop the pirouetting direction is reversed for the second half of the loop. At the bottom of the loop the model again reverses the pirouetting direction and continues for another 10m in a straight line parallel to the flight line.
*Significant points were deducted for the following reasons:
*Figure not centered on pilots position
*Each half of loop figure not equal and symmetrical
*Rate of pirouetting not constant
*Model drifts off course during yaw reversals
!!!Forward Rolling Circle With Roll Reversals
Model flies straight and level for 10m parallel to the flight line. At centerline the model begins a continuous rolling half circle (rolling right or left) away from the pilot. As the model crosses the centerline of the circle (side opposite from the pilot position) the roll direction is reversed for the second half of the circle. As the model crosses the centerline again (side closest to the pilot position) the roll direction is again reversed and one straight roll is performed parallel to the flight line.
*Significant points were deducted for the following reasons:
*Roll rate and forward progress not consistent
*Altitude varies during rolling or roll reversals
*Each half of figure not equal size and symmetrical
*Model drifts in the yaw axis during roll reversals
!!Required Airplane Maneuvers
<small>(Required maneuvers courtesy of the <a href="http://www.xfc-rc.com">Official XFC website</a>.)</small>
!!!Point Roll Sequence
Model enters straight and level inverted and performs 4 points of an 8 point roll, immediately followed by 2 points of a 4 point roll in the opposite direction and exits inverted with the same heading as entry.
*Points were deducted for the following reasons:
*Over or under rotation of the points within the rolls.
*Exit Altitude differing from the entry altitude
*Change in roll rate
!!! 3-Roll rolling circle from inverted flight.
+908256:Jason Noll demonstrates the required rolling circle at the introduction to his round 2 routine -- showing the judges, and the crowd, that he welcomed the challenge and met it head on.
The model enters the maneuver from inverted flight and executes a 360 horizontal rolling circle while performing three (3) complete 360 degree rolls. The first roll will be to the outside of the circle and completed at the 180 degree portion of the circle. The second roll will be to the inside of the circle and completed at the 270 degree point of the circle, followed by another complete roll in the opposite (outside) direction, ending with the model exiting in inverted flight.
*Points were deducted for the following reasons:
*360 degree circle not symmetrical
*Over-rotating the rolls and not stopping at the proper point in the circle
*Differing roll rates throughout the maneuver.
!!! Stall turn, opposing snaps on up-line, opposing half rolls on down-line.
The model enters from upright horizontal flight, pulls to vertical and executes 2 positive snap rolls (either direction) on the up-line. The model performs a stall turn, followed by 2 half rolls, in opposite directions on the down-line, and exiting in upright level flight.
*Points were deducted for the following reasons:
*Over rotation of the snaps.
*The snap rolls not defined as snaps.
*Over rotation or under rotation of the points on the down-line
!!Vendors and Half-Time Demonstrations
@908230:Dave Patrick Models displayed his new Edge ARF -- complete with a pilot that looks amazingly like Dave!
@908231:The vendor display area weathered the, er, weather all day Saturday, selling varied RC items.
The 3 half-time demos were really an enjoyable compliment to the XFC. One -- Frank Noll's synchronized aerobatics flight -- was the same type of aircraft as the contest but performing in a very different manner; the other 2 were entirely different styles of aircraft, designed to expose the crowd to something different from the giant scale/helicopter aerobatics of the weekend.
@908232:Terry Nitch's jet demo was definitely something not to be missed!
@908233:Here is one of Frank Knoll and Matt Stek.'s matching aircraft for the half-time demonstration.
+908257:Frank Noll Jr and Matt Stek. perform a beautifully choreographed half time routine, including deadstick aerobatics to landing!
+908258:A VERY brief video of pieces of the half-time turbine jet demo by Terry Nitsch. Between the camera quality, the dark sky, and the camera-person's positioning, I'm afraid the video isn't much, but it does give an impression of the speed.
+908259:A VERY brief video of pieces of the half-time fun fly demonstration by Jerry Smith. This little plane was VERY fast and aerobatic, and combined with a dark sky, I didn't get a lot of video of this airplane that was worth sharing, but what did come out is a BLAST!
!Scores/Results
@908234:The posted scores after Friday's flying.
!!The overall event standings:
*#<b>Airplanes </b>
*Quique Somenzini
*John Glezellis
*Jason Noll
*Baron Johnson
*Chip Hyde
*Jon Leyland
*Mike McConville
*Matt Steklachick
*Wayne Geffon
*Jason Danhakl
*Ivan Kristensen
*Josh Glavin
*Elton Fairless
*Manuel Santos
*Jeff Heitman
*John Boyko
*Matt Mahnke
*Darren Eaton
*#<b>Helicopters</b>
*Curtis Youngblood
*Alan Szabo
*Pete Niotis
*Mark Fadely
*Jim Stark
*Scott Gray
*Paul Soha
*Mike Trueblood
*Marcus Kim
*Marty Kuhns
*Eric Larson
*Justin Moore
*Anthony Jager
*Steve McFall
*Jeff Swartz
*Mathew Botos
!Photo Gallery
@908235:Young Alan Szabo is an amazing helicopter pilot, and just finished 11-th grade! His sponsors include Airtronics, Thundertigre, PowerMaster, Century Scale Helis, and Slimline. Looking forward to his flights at the Helicopter Nationals 2004 in Muncie Indiana in July!
@908236:About one-half of the crowd during the half-time display on Saturday.
@908237:Darren Eaton's Carden was really gorgeous...
@908238:look at that wrapped-tip prop! Darren placed 9th in the 2002 XFC, and loves to show off for the spectators.
@908239:(Sorry, no identification for this nice inverted push during an acro routine.)
@908240:Jeff Swartz enters his first formal competition -- at the XFC! Now that takes guts! Jeff is sponsored by Robbe, Wildcat, Duralite and MAH Blades.
@908241:John Boyko has all the RIGHT attitude about flying...
@908242:even when his equipment needs repair. Here his bird is fully repaired from Saturday's minor mishap and ready for the next round.
@908243:Each pilot had a designated pit/parking area around the outside of the spectator area. A really nice setup to support each pilot and their team!
@908244:Josh Gavin is an exceptional aerobatic pilot -- especially when you realize he is just 15 years old! Josh's sponsors include Hitec, ZAP, Planes Plus, and Duralite.
@908245:Manual Santos of Mexico returns to the pits after his Saturday round 2. Marcos is the Mexican national freestyle champion for 2003.
@908246:Marcus Kim's helicopter flights were like his paint schemes -- colorful, impressive, and just a little different from everyone else.
@908247:Matt Mahnke has NEVER COMPETED before! And was flying gas just 2 months...he was invited to fly just 5 days before the event.
@908248:Mike Trueblood's matching helis wait for the start of the next heli round.
@908249:Mike McConvilles big ARF staying dry during the storm...
@908250:and performing beautifully knife edge during the competition. Mike McConville is a 9-time TOC invitee/competitor as well as repeated national champion in both scale aerobatics and also pattern.
@908251:Paul Soha is the Class 3 precision helicopter competition champion, and 4th place for the 2004 XFC. Paul is known all over the country for exceptional helicopter demonstrations.
@908252:Quique Somenzini, 4 time TOC champion, always has time to pose and to talk with fellow modelers.
@908253:Soon-to-be-2004 XFC Champion Quique steps up, ready to fly. The list of Quique's sponsors, and wins, is far too extensive to list here. Quique has recently started to import his own ARF aircraft designs into the US.
!Video Gallery
+908260:A MUST SEE video of Curtis Youngblood's Saturday round 2 including a chaos to die for!!!! Curtis' list of accomplishments is as long as this article; a particularly interesting 3-time title, however, is the Gauntlet Freestyle championship -- where fellow competitors call out maneuvers and the pilot must immediately transition into that maneuver and perform it with precision, grace, and fluidity from the prior to the next maneuver.
+908261:2002 XFC champion Chip Hyde begins round 2 with the challenging required rolling circle, and then focuses a most impressive flight primarily on challenging knife edge maneuvers -- a knife edge slip from easily 500 ft to eye level for a low rapid-roll-rate-rolling-figure-8, and later knife edge so low that his 40+ lb airplane is hidden by the heads of the spectators in front of the camera person! Chip's list of sponsors, and wins, is far too extensive to list here.
+908262:Elton Fairless flies his Carden Extra in round 2. Elton and his Carden are known for flying 3D aerobatic demonstrations all over the east coast -- at RC and full-scale aviation events alike. Some of Elton's sponsors include Carden, Desert, Powerflite, and GBI Hobbies.
+908263:The 22-year old son of event mastermind Frank Noll put on an impressive routine, including a gorgeous rolling loop that earned him quite an ovation, as well as a very precise, extremely low slow roll, and added great special effects with tip smoke! Jason has been flying for 15 years, and has placed admirably in a large range of national-level aerobatic contests.
+908264:Partial video of John Boyko's round 2 prior to his gear failure.
+908265:Acro pilot Jon Leyland offers a fun mix of 3D and speed aerobatics...primarily to the interesting musical choice -- "Oh Danny Boy"! John has been flying for over 13 years, and placed 5th in the 2003 XFC. John is sponsored by Zap, BME and Extreme Flight RC.
+908266:Fifteen-year-old Josh Glavin provided a beautifully choreographed example of a precision routine with a lot of cleanly executed smooth 3D maneuvers such as rolling harriers. (9MB)
+908267:Team JR member Justin Moore has been flying for 4 years and already has quite an impressive list of wins.
+908268:Eighteen-year-old Marcus Kim presents a fun routine (sorry that the music is so quiet, I was standing at the BACK of a speaker). Marcus has been flying helis for 6 years and is sponsored by Miniature, MAH Blades, Wade Canopies and Xtreme 3D Neon.
+908269:Matt Mahnke was added to the roster just five days before the XFC when another pilot had to drop out for health reasons. Ontop of that, this was Matt's FIRST EVER COMPETITION! Matt's grasp of 3D, presentation, and choreography were most impressive, particularly given his lack of competitive experience!
+908270:Matt Steklachick's round 2 routine was quite impressive! Matt is just 19, having just graduated high school (he skipped commencement to compete!) Matt placed 2nd at the 2002 XFC and 6th in 2003.
+908271:A partial clip of Mike Trueblood's helicopter round 2. Mike has been flying helicopters for 6 years and is sponsored by Miniature and Wildcat Fuels.
+908272:Nationally-recognized heli demonstration pilot Paul Soha puts in an impressive round 2 flight.
+908273:4-time TOC Champion Quique Somenzini performs the type of routine that made him the undeniable winner of this event, including a rolling harrier circle below 20 feet culminated with a drifting harrier in such heavy smoke the plane is barely visible!
+908274:8-time Canadian National Champion 24-year old Scott Gray presents a fun and entertaining sequence with playful music and lots of change-up in maneuvers.
<div align="center">
<img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/rcpowermag/2004/jun/xfc/xfclong.jpg">
</div>
The XFC is the brain child of world-renowned aerobatic pilot Frank Noll, Jr. The primary goal of the XFC is to bring together the best 3D-capable pilots in the world -- acro and heli alike -- and ask them to compete against pilots of their own model type in a single competition that combines precision and accuracy -- by including challenging known maneuvers -- into a choreographed freestyle routine. The result is some really AMAZING flying without the 'yawn factor' of most precision aerobatic competitions.
The feedback on the first year's airplane division was that it became a 'hover-fest'. "All anyone did was torque rolls a few feet off the ground," commented more than one spectator. And that made sense, since the timing of the event was at a time when torque rolling and REALLY large (35%+) scale aerobatic airplanes had just really become accessible to a much larger class of pilot. But the presenters obviously knew that it would take more than that to get a crowd, and keep one, and the format of this year's event resulted in actually less "near the ground" "below stall speed" true 3D aerobatics for the aircraft pilots than at least this author would've liked to see.
You see, an important piece of a good aerobatic freestyle is to use the entire flight box (or area you are allowed to fly in), AND to use the entire flight envelope of the model -- from its maximum speed such as full throttle passes with full stick rolls -- to its minimum speed, which for these aerobatic planes is a perfect hover, or harriers, torque rolls and tail slides.
In watching the flights I was able to see (unfortunately I could only attend Saturday), it was apparent the judges also felt that using the full flight envelope was important, and the really exceptional pilots at this event -- repeated world champions like Quique and Curtis -- used the full speed envelope and the whole box with grace, class, and exquisite control.
@908228:Waco Field, the current home of the XFC, is quite aptly named, as the area is the original home of Waco Aircraft.
@908229:Details of the completion of this Waco! It was an enjoyable distraction as we all waited in the hangar for the morning thundershower to blow over.
!!Safety Rules
+908254:Pilot Marty Kuhns' impressive 2nd round was cut short due to his crossing the 'no fly zone' at approximately 1 1/2 minutes into his flight. Exceptional contest safety management -- no warnings, no single-manuever-zeros; the pilot is immediately grounded. Marty's sponsors include Horizon, VBlades, OS, Cool Power and CJ muscle pipes.
The XFC management obviously takes safety VERY seriously. A dead-line exists a set distance in front of the judges, and 2 additional officials are used at this event strictly to police this deadline. At most events, cross the line and you will get a zero for the maneuver you were doing at the time and maybe a scolding. At this event, as you can see watching Marty Kuhns' video above, cross the dead line one time and the horn sounds, the pilot is required to land, and the flight is over, disqualified. This level of respect for safety deserves a huge round of applause.
Alternatively, they also realize that allowing aerobatics below 20 feet does not necessarily CREATE a safety risk -- a harrier-ing model at 8 feet can more easily be forced to the ground in case of an equipment problem than one at 20 feet -- and they do not impose a hard deck under which the pilots may not fly.
In this writer's opinion, this group obviously gets it right -- you can have a REALLY impressive aerobatic show, with great crowd turn out and lots of "oohs and awwws" without compromising safety.
!!Required Helictoper Manuevers
There are 3 required heli maneuvers. Explanations courtesy of the <a href="http://www.xfc-rc.com">Official XFC Website</a>:
!!!Vertical ½ Roll, 4-Pt Inverted Pirouette, ½ Roll Backwards, Inverted Exit
+908255:Curtis Youngblood executes the challenging required maneuver one.
Model flies straight and level parallel to the flight line for 10m before pulling into a 90-degree vertical ascent on the centerline. While climbing vertically the model performs a ½ axial roll (either direction) and continues vertically. At the top of the ascent the model executes a ¼ inside tumble (rear cyclic) followed by a stationary inverted hover. After a minimum 2 second pause the model begins a series of four 90-degree rotations (either direction) on the yaw axis, pausing at each point a minimum of 2 seconds. Upon completion of the last point the model will be pointed in the same direction as at the start of the rotation. The model then performs a ¼ outside tumble (forward cyclic) followed by a vertical backward descent on the original centerline. The model then performs a ½ axial roll (either direction) followed by a 90-degree exit parallel to the ground flying backward inverted for another 10m.
*Significant points were deducted for the following reasons:
*Ascending/descending segments are not at true vertical
*Ascending/descending segments are not centered on pilots position
*Model drifts vertically or horizontally during 4 point pirouetting segment
*Point pauses are less than 2 seconds in duration
*Entry and exit elevations are not at the same altitude and parallel to the flight line
!!!Pirouetting Loop with Yaw Reversals
Model flies straight and level for 10m parallel to the flight line while performing continuous pirouettes (rotating either direction) at a constant rate. As the model crosses centerline model begins ½ a vertical loop while continuing to pirouette. At the top of the loop the pirouetting direction is reversed for the second half of the loop. At the bottom of the loop the model again reverses the pirouetting direction and continues for another 10m in a straight line parallel to the flight line.
*Significant points were deducted for the following reasons:
*Figure not centered on pilots position
*Each half of loop figure not equal and symmetrical
*Rate of pirouetting not constant
*Model drifts off course during yaw reversals
!!!Forward Rolling Circle With Roll Reversals
Model flies straight and level for 10m parallel to the flight line. At centerline the model begins a continuous rolling half circle (rolling right or left) away from the pilot. As the model crosses the centerline of the circle (side opposite from the pilot position) the roll direction is reversed for the second half of the circle. As the model crosses the centerline again (side closest to the pilot position) the roll direction is again reversed and one straight roll is performed parallel to the flight line.
*Significant points were deducted for the following reasons:
*Roll rate and forward progress not consistent
*Altitude varies during rolling or roll reversals
*Each half of figure not equal size and symmetrical
*Model drifts in the yaw axis during roll reversals
!!Required Airplane Maneuvers
<small>(Required maneuvers courtesy of the <a href="http://www.xfc-rc.com">Official XFC website</a>.)</small>
!!!Point Roll Sequence
Model enters straight and level inverted and performs 4 points of an 8 point roll, immediately followed by 2 points of a 4 point roll in the opposite direction and exits inverted with the same heading as entry.
*Points were deducted for the following reasons:
*Over or under rotation of the points within the rolls.
*Exit Altitude differing from the entry altitude
*Change in roll rate
!!! 3-Roll rolling circle from inverted flight.
+908256:Jason Noll demonstrates the required rolling circle at the introduction to his round 2 routine -- showing the judges, and the crowd, that he welcomed the challenge and met it head on.
The model enters the maneuver from inverted flight and executes a 360 horizontal rolling circle while performing three (3) complete 360 degree rolls. The first roll will be to the outside of the circle and completed at the 180 degree portion of the circle. The second roll will be to the inside of the circle and completed at the 270 degree point of the circle, followed by another complete roll in the opposite (outside) direction, ending with the model exiting in inverted flight.
*Points were deducted for the following reasons:
*360 degree circle not symmetrical
*Over-rotating the rolls and not stopping at the proper point in the circle
*Differing roll rates throughout the maneuver.
!!! Stall turn, opposing snaps on up-line, opposing half rolls on down-line.
The model enters from upright horizontal flight, pulls to vertical and executes 2 positive snap rolls (either direction) on the up-line. The model performs a stall turn, followed by 2 half rolls, in opposite directions on the down-line, and exiting in upright level flight.
*Points were deducted for the following reasons:
*Over rotation of the snaps.
*The snap rolls not defined as snaps.
*Over rotation or under rotation of the points on the down-line
!!Vendors and Half-Time Demonstrations
@908230:Dave Patrick Models displayed his new Edge ARF -- complete with a pilot that looks amazingly like Dave!
@908231:The vendor display area weathered the, er, weather all day Saturday, selling varied RC items.
The 3 half-time demos were really an enjoyable compliment to the XFC. One -- Frank Noll's synchronized aerobatics flight -- was the same type of aircraft as the contest but performing in a very different manner; the other 2 were entirely different styles of aircraft, designed to expose the crowd to something different from the giant scale/helicopter aerobatics of the weekend.
@908232:Terry Nitch's jet demo was definitely something not to be missed!
@908233:Here is one of Frank Knoll and Matt Stek.'s matching aircraft for the half-time demonstration.
+908257:Frank Noll Jr and Matt Stek. perform a beautifully choreographed half time routine, including deadstick aerobatics to landing!
+908258:A VERY brief video of pieces of the half-time turbine jet demo by Terry Nitsch. Between the camera quality, the dark sky, and the camera-person's positioning, I'm afraid the video isn't much, but it does give an impression of the speed.
+908259:A VERY brief video of pieces of the half-time fun fly demonstration by Jerry Smith. This little plane was VERY fast and aerobatic, and combined with a dark sky, I didn't get a lot of video of this airplane that was worth sharing, but what did come out is a BLAST!
!Scores/Results
@908234:The posted scores after Friday's flying.
!!The overall event standings:
*#<b>Airplanes </b>
*Quique Somenzini
*John Glezellis
*Jason Noll
*Baron Johnson
*Chip Hyde
*Jon Leyland
*Mike McConville
*Matt Steklachick
*Wayne Geffon
*Jason Danhakl
*Ivan Kristensen
*Josh Glavin
*Elton Fairless
*Manuel Santos
*Jeff Heitman
*John Boyko
*Matt Mahnke
*Darren Eaton
*#<b>Helicopters</b>
*Curtis Youngblood
*Alan Szabo
*Pete Niotis
*Mark Fadely
*Jim Stark
*Scott Gray
*Paul Soha
*Mike Trueblood
*Marcus Kim
*Marty Kuhns
*Eric Larson
*Justin Moore
*Anthony Jager
*Steve McFall
*Jeff Swartz
*Mathew Botos
!Photo Gallery
@908235:Young Alan Szabo is an amazing helicopter pilot, and just finished 11-th grade! His sponsors include Airtronics, Thundertigre, PowerMaster, Century Scale Helis, and Slimline. Looking forward to his flights at the Helicopter Nationals 2004 in Muncie Indiana in July!
@908236:About one-half of the crowd during the half-time display on Saturday.
@908237:Darren Eaton's Carden was really gorgeous...
@908238:look at that wrapped-tip prop! Darren placed 9th in the 2002 XFC, and loves to show off for the spectators.
@908239:(Sorry, no identification for this nice inverted push during an acro routine.)
@908240:Jeff Swartz enters his first formal competition -- at the XFC! Now that takes guts! Jeff is sponsored by Robbe, Wildcat, Duralite and MAH Blades.
@908241:John Boyko has all the RIGHT attitude about flying...
@908242:even when his equipment needs repair. Here his bird is fully repaired from Saturday's minor mishap and ready for the next round.
@908243:Each pilot had a designated pit/parking area around the outside of the spectator area. A really nice setup to support each pilot and their team!
@908244:Josh Gavin is an exceptional aerobatic pilot -- especially when you realize he is just 15 years old! Josh's sponsors include Hitec, ZAP, Planes Plus, and Duralite.
@908245:Manual Santos of Mexico returns to the pits after his Saturday round 2. Marcos is the Mexican national freestyle champion for 2003.
@908246:Marcus Kim's helicopter flights were like his paint schemes -- colorful, impressive, and just a little different from everyone else.
@908247:Matt Mahnke has NEVER COMPETED before! And was flying gas just 2 months...he was invited to fly just 5 days before the event.
@908248:Mike Trueblood's matching helis wait for the start of the next heli round.
@908249:Mike McConvilles big ARF staying dry during the storm...
@908250:and performing beautifully knife edge during the competition. Mike McConville is a 9-time TOC invitee/competitor as well as repeated national champion in both scale aerobatics and also pattern.
@908251:Paul Soha is the Class 3 precision helicopter competition champion, and 4th place for the 2004 XFC. Paul is known all over the country for exceptional helicopter demonstrations.
@908252:Quique Somenzini, 4 time TOC champion, always has time to pose and to talk with fellow modelers.
@908253:Soon-to-be-2004 XFC Champion Quique steps up, ready to fly. The list of Quique's sponsors, and wins, is far too extensive to list here. Quique has recently started to import his own ARF aircraft designs into the US.
!Video Gallery
+908260:A MUST SEE video of Curtis Youngblood's Saturday round 2 including a chaos to die for!!!! Curtis' list of accomplishments is as long as this article; a particularly interesting 3-time title, however, is the Gauntlet Freestyle championship -- where fellow competitors call out maneuvers and the pilot must immediately transition into that maneuver and perform it with precision, grace, and fluidity from the prior to the next maneuver.
+908261:2002 XFC champion Chip Hyde begins round 2 with the challenging required rolling circle, and then focuses a most impressive flight primarily on challenging knife edge maneuvers -- a knife edge slip from easily 500 ft to eye level for a low rapid-roll-rate-rolling-figure-8, and later knife edge so low that his 40+ lb airplane is hidden by the heads of the spectators in front of the camera person! Chip's list of sponsors, and wins, is far too extensive to list here.
+908262:Elton Fairless flies his Carden Extra in round 2. Elton and his Carden are known for flying 3D aerobatic demonstrations all over the east coast -- at RC and full-scale aviation events alike. Some of Elton's sponsors include Carden, Desert, Powerflite, and GBI Hobbies.
+908263:The 22-year old son of event mastermind Frank Noll put on an impressive routine, including a gorgeous rolling loop that earned him quite an ovation, as well as a very precise, extremely low slow roll, and added great special effects with tip smoke! Jason has been flying for 15 years, and has placed admirably in a large range of national-level aerobatic contests.
+908264:Partial video of John Boyko's round 2 prior to his gear failure.
+908265:Acro pilot Jon Leyland offers a fun mix of 3D and speed aerobatics...primarily to the interesting musical choice -- "Oh Danny Boy"! John has been flying for over 13 years, and placed 5th in the 2003 XFC. John is sponsored by Zap, BME and Extreme Flight RC.
+908266:Fifteen-year-old Josh Glavin provided a beautifully choreographed example of a precision routine with a lot of cleanly executed smooth 3D maneuvers such as rolling harriers. (9MB)
+908267:Team JR member Justin Moore has been flying for 4 years and already has quite an impressive list of wins.
+908268:Eighteen-year-old Marcus Kim presents a fun routine (sorry that the music is so quiet, I was standing at the BACK of a speaker). Marcus has been flying helis for 6 years and is sponsored by Miniature, MAH Blades, Wade Canopies and Xtreme 3D Neon.
+908269:Matt Mahnke was added to the roster just five days before the XFC when another pilot had to drop out for health reasons. Ontop of that, this was Matt's FIRST EVER COMPETITION! Matt's grasp of 3D, presentation, and choreography were most impressive, particularly given his lack of competitive experience!
+908270:Matt Steklachick's round 2 routine was quite impressive! Matt is just 19, having just graduated high school (he skipped commencement to compete!) Matt placed 2nd at the 2002 XFC and 6th in 2003.
+908271:A partial clip of Mike Trueblood's helicopter round 2. Mike has been flying helicopters for 6 years and is sponsored by Miniature and Wildcat Fuels.
+908272:Nationally-recognized heli demonstration pilot Paul Soha puts in an impressive round 2 flight.
+908273:4-time TOC Champion Quique Somenzini performs the type of routine that made him the undeniable winner of this event, including a rolling harrier circle below 20 feet culminated with a drifting harrier in such heavy smoke the plane is barely visible!
+908274:8-time Canadian National Champion 24-year old Scott Gray presents a fun and entertaining sequence with playful music and lots of change-up in maneuvers.