Rant XFC Nightfly Complete Embarrasment

[WreckRman2]

Originally Posted by jbourke

My perspective is that the event gets better every year.

Jim

The original post was about the embarrasment of the night fly portion of the event and I'm sorry but this time it did not get better.

[Bohica35]

Originally Posted by WreckRman2

The original post was about the embarrasment of the night fly portion of the event and I'm sorry but this time it did not get better.

I think he was saying that the "event" was better as a whole despite the problem with the nightfly.


From my understanding, the nightfly is a new addition to the event. I think last year was the first year for it...?

With that said, this is not a nightfly competition. The nightfly is icing on the cake. It's a very small portion of the event. But it sounds like the XFC is making efforts to get even more participation next year.

[AEROCOLOR]

I have perused this thread completely and am feeling it has served its purpose.There is a tremendous amount of labor and effort by many people to make this competition possible and I can`t believe one hour out of four days is what we are still dwelling on. LET IT GO.
See you all next year.

Bill

[MCART]

Originally Posted by Bohica35

- Quality of pilots. The level of talent was absolutely top notch, no if's, and's, or but's. The best pilots known to mankind were in attendance. As I mentioned before, at the XFC there are no "losers". Even the lowest placing pilots would be the stars of most competitions. This is probably the biggest attraction to me personally. The XFC is the equivilent of a HW title fight. Even the worst pro boxer would make the average neighborhood toughguy look like a girl scout. The XFC is no different. These pilots come to compete in a serious, serious way. When these guys are all competing against each other, they are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. I talked to several serious enthusiasts of the hobby at the XFC that mentioned they were seeing maneauvers that not only had they not seen before, but they didn't think they were even possible.

At the risk of starting a whole new debate, in my opinion you went a little too far. While the worst pilot at XFC was a 1000 times better than me, when you say the best pilots known to mankind, what about (in no particular order):

1) QQ
2) Chip Hyde
3) Andrew Jesky
4) Jason Schulman
5) Mark Leesburg
6) Sorry to the others I am forgetting.

Disregarding the night fly event was this the best XFC ever? Not for me. I also missed Matt Chappman flying his Eagle 580 in tandem with Jason Knoll (or was it Frank). That was really cool.

[Bergwood]

Originally Posted by MCART

when you say the best pilots known to mankind, what about (in no particular order):

1) QQ
2) Chip Hyde
3) Andrew Jesky
4) Jason Schulman
5) Mark Leesburg
6) Bergwood

Hey, you forgot about me. Just kidding

Berg

[*MoNSteR*]

About the night fly, I think part of the problem was everyone had to compete the following day and didnt want to risk their bird.

I personally think the night fly should be a seperate competition available even to those who may want to night fly only. With the $1000 prize next year it will be more attractive, but it should not be an option for the main event competitors only.

There is more risk involved with spectator safety with the night fly, so there should be at least some sort of pre-requisite. Maybe take the not-so-named pilots to the back 40 and have them demonstrate their ability to fly in the daytime in a manner consitent with night flight, the day of the competition. Those who cannot demonstrate adequate skill with their particular aircraft should not be allowed to fly in the night competition. This would also take in to account the type or aircraft that would be flow. Obviously a 6oz. foamy would fall farther in to the safety margin than a 15-20lb 50cc giant, or a 90 size heli.

[AEROCOLOR]

Both Team & Nightfly are seperate competitions that anyone can enter. The XFC Committee has to approve all props and pyro before they are used to ensure safety for all.
As far as getting the "big" names to fly there really is not a concern. One of the original thoughts for the XFC was to showcase new and exciting talent in the 3D realm of flying. There are many great pilots that will never be invited to the Masters or Shootout due to their location or chosen flying discipline and that`s where the XFC comes in. A good example is Gabriel this year. It would be a shame to not ever see him fly. Gernot was another one. Look at the heli side. These guys are all young and awesome and we get new pilots each year that amaze me with their skills.I`d much rather have skilled pilots that are appreciative for the opportunity than the same old list of pros.
If anyone wants to get in to the nightfly, team or the XFC competition, all it takes is a demo video sent to the committee or try out for the last chance qualifying on Thursday.

[Bohica35]

Originally Posted by AEROCOLOR

There are many great pilots that will never be invited to the Masters or Shootout due to their location or chosen flying discipline and that`s where the XFC comes in. A good example is Gabriel this year. It would be a shame to not ever see him fly.

I don't know Gabriel's background, but I agree. I thought he was one of the better airplane pilots. I really enjoyed his flights. While I thought that Jason was still more technical and polished....Gabriel was a little more of a crowd pleaser. It seemed like everyone was amped every time he flew.






As for someone mentioning the other great pilots that weren't there this year....if you search their names....most of those guys (if not all, I don't know) have XFC on their resume....

I'm pretty sure that any pilot on the planet would be ecstatic to have an XFC championship on their record. And I would expect that with the visibility of this competition, it definitely helps people with their courtship of sponsors. If I were going to try to go pro doing this thing (which won't happen because I don't have the ability or patience) the competing in, and winning the XFC would probably my ultimate goal.

[Acefredbaron]

What would be some of the criteria for your XFC presentations? Could we use sparklers on our planes along with the lights? What did the AMA wavier cover this year for attached pyrotechnics? It would be nice to know so we would know what to include in our video presentations.

[MCART]

I called the AMA to find out what exactly they had negotiated to allow at the XFC. While the XFC had hoped for roman candles mounted to the aircraft, apparently the rules comittee had only authourized sparklers to be mounted to the aircraft and as we all know this never actually happened.

Regarding next years competition, they advised that it would not be allowed (for the purposes of making a contest entry video) to mount any sort of pyrotechnics to an aircraft. They were not sure if the XFC would need to go before the rules committee again to request such an exemption for next year or if this was a one time exemption.

[Acefredbaron]

Thanks, MCART, that's the best explanation and the most information about what the AMA authorized that I've heard! Now I know what I would have seen if I had seen what I might have seen if it had happened.

[DonJuan]

Sparklers? Really?!! Really!!!

[foam and tape]

Originally Posted by MCART

I called the AMA to find out what exactly they had negotiated to allow at the XFC. While the XFC had hoped for roman candles mounted to the aircraft, apparently the rules comittee had only authourized sparklers to be mounted to the aircraft and as we all know this never actually happened.

Regarding next years competition, they advised that it would not be allowed (for the purposes of making a contest entry video) to mount any sort of pyrotechnics to an aircraft. They were not sure if the XFC would need to go before the rules committee again to request such an exemption for next year or if this was a one time exemption.

what about foutain type devices? If you don't know what they are theyre essentially slightly larger sparkelers. the reasons for foutains are, the burn times are longer, they are MUCH easier to remotely ignite from the plane and easier and more visually peasing. Fountains dont shoot any type of flaming balls though, they aren't roman candles.

if they say no to this I REALLY dont know how anyone will be impressed with ''sparkerlers''