Here’s the Heli-Max Axe 100CP trimming the grass. Article and photos by the author. Featured in the Fall 2013 issue of Park Pilot.
Helicopters challenge me more than any other aircraft that I fly, both in the technical side of setting them up and of course, the skill needed to fly them. Although I fly a plethora of different aircraft, you will never see a bigger smile on my face than when I’ve just flown a helicopter, mainly because I’m concentrating too hard to smile while I’m flying them. I also love local parks. As much as I enjoy flying my large 700-class helicopters at the local clubs’ fields, it is immensely satisfying to be able to steal away for half an hour to do some flying at a nearby park with smaller models. Parks are a way for me to get that quick fix in, when I don’t have time to spend several hours at a club. There is also something nostalgic about flying at a park, something that harkens back to my childhood days of rubber-band-powered, balsa profile airplanes, and then .049-powered Cox control line models. Parks are the primary location for flying my small models, but they aren’t the only place. Living in a somewhat rural area, any open field or parking lot becomes a potential flying site, and that is another thing that I like about smaller models. In recent years, the micro helicopter side of the hobby has boomed. With the advent of Tx-R, Bind-N-Fly, and RTF models, the hobby has really opened up to beginners, with models that we could only have dreamed of 10 years ago. Being able to take a model out of the box, charge the battery and start flying takes a lot of the complexity out of learning to fly helis. Then, once people get hooked on the hobby, they can delve into the mechanics of how these whirlybirds work.
Parks are great places for flying multirotors too, such as this DJI Phantom.
Here’s the Blade 300X in flight at a nearby park.
I’m lucky enough to live in an area where there are at least three good hobby shops, all within an hour from me. This makes purchasing replacement parts a lot easier, and it’s always fun to see the latest and greatest models on display in the stores. An advantage to visiting hobby shops is that they often have demonstration models that you can try, and it’s always good to support local businesses. In addition to the hobby shops, we have a number of great flying clubs, and even more nearby parks and recreation areas where people can fly. I guess this is why I have witnessed such an increase in helicopters over recent years, which is no coincidence when you think about some of the great models that are now available. I always try to fly at parks when there is little activity. Early mornings during the week seem to work, as well as the occasional lunchtime breaks. I’ve found that weekends can be a bit sketchy because a lot of people are enjoying the atmosphere. I avoid flying when the park is too crowded. If I’m flying a 450-size heli, I need to be sure that people are far enough away so that they are not bothered by anything I’m doing. However, if I am flying something like a micro quadcopter, I don’t need as much space. I always have someone with me as a lookout while I’m flying because I just can’t monitor the traffic while keeping my attention on my model. Smaller children are always extremely curious when they see things flying at the park, and it is inevitable that they will run right at you to get a closer look. In that situation, I stop flying as they approach, and take a little time to show them my models. They always get a kick out of this, and I’ve enjoyed making demo flights in front of kids. If I plan to spend extra time at the park, I make sure to take my LiPo charger. It’s amazing how many times I can charge those small flight packs from my car battery. Yes, parks are great for flying. With a little consideration for the general public, and where and when you fly, they are absolutely a valuable resource, whether learning to fly or improving your skills.
This expansive display is vendor’s row at IRCHA 2013.
At IRCHA Jamboree 2013 in Muncie, Indiana, many vendors, including SAB Heli Division (pictured here), took the opportunity to pose their team members for a group shot.
If you’ve never been to a club helicopter event, you should do so. It’s a great place to meet fellow pilots, exchange ideas and tips, and often make lifelong friends. I recently attended the 2013 International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association (IRCHA) Jamboree, where a staggering 1,132 pilots were registered. It’s hard to imagine that many people at one fly-in, let alone all of them being helicopter pilots.
Article:
