2. All participants shall not be affiliated with any helicopter manufacturers, distributors, retailers or radio manufacturers. We are just talking about helicopter and radio sponsorships only. We do understand that some of you may receive help in regard to blades, batteries, etc., so we are allowing this privilege as long as the participants do not receive any help in any cost of the helicopter kit or radio equipment. Just to be clear, we can't accept pilots with major sponsors that are simply choosing to fly different gear. Any protests in regard to sponsorship will be handled by the IAN selection committee and their decision shall be final final.  

3. Registration is FREE! Upon being selected to compete, all pilots will be required to report to the flight station 30 minutes prior to the start of the competition. We will have a short pilot's meeting and afterwards pilots will draw numbers for the order of their flight. No pilot shall be allowed to switch numbers with another pilot.   

4. On the 14th of August, Each pilot will be given a 4 minute flight to the music of their choosing (CD only), that you have supplied. There will be 1 required maneuver to be performed at the beginning of your 4 minute flight. You can then land and start your music or queue your music to begin without landing. Your total flight must not exceed 4 minutes. Below are 2 maneuvers to pick from. You must pick 1 per round. You are not required to do the same maneuver for each round. Just show us what you can do and impress the judges with your skill. The judging will be based on difficulty of the maneuvers, precision and choreography. It's just that simple!!!  

  Available Required maneuvers. You must pick 1 per round   

Vertical Ascent/Descent 

Model flies straight and level parallel to the flight line from either direction 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 will be 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  

Model flies straight and level (from right or left) parallel to the flight-line for 10m. As the model crosses the centerline it begins a series of backward tumbles upwards following a path that would trace the top half of a vertical figure "8". Upon crossing the middle of the figure again, the direction of tumbling will reverse from backward to forward and from upward to downward for the bottom and last half of the figure. Tumbling is completed when the model crosses the centerline for the third time. The model then continues 10m in the same direction as the entry.

· Radius of each curve not smooth while tumbling 

· Top/bottom and left/right of figure not equal size 

• Model drifts in or out from flight-line during maneuver    

 5. The top three (3) pilots at the end of the day on the 14th will compete on Saturday the 15th of August. Once again each pilot will fly for 4 minutes which will include the one known maneuver. You are free to elect new music and/or routines for the 15th, but this will not influence your score either way.   

6. We welcome any brand of helicopter you may choose to fly but it must have at least a 550 MM rotor span or greater.   

7. Each pilot is required to have a spotter. The spotter will be required to give the music cue as well as signaling the start of the pilot's 4 minute flight. We will have a time keeper on hand that has the right to stop the music and signal the judges should the flight need to be terminated if the pilot exceeds the 4 minute flight or should otherwise disqualify.   

8. We all like to see a pilot touch the ground or mow the grass during his or her flight but we want to promote safety first! No pilots shall allow any part of the helicopter to touch the ground or grass during their flight with the exception of one takeoff and one landing. Should a pilot touch, the competition timekeeper will signal for the flight to be terminated. Unfortunately, a zero score will be given to any unfinished flights, meaning if you crash within the 4 minute flight then your score is zero :-(   

9. Each pilot will be given 90 seconds to start his or her machine and be on the flight station ready to fly. Each succeeding pilot will need to be on deck and ready. This will allow the event to run smoothly and avoid excessive down time.   

10. We will designate a no fly zone area/safety line to keep pilots, judges and crowd safe. Transgression of the no fly zone WILL result in disqualification. Details will be discussed during the pilots meeting.   

11. Don't forget to look professional. Please bring your own starter, NiCad glow driver, and required tools with you. We encourage pilots to have fun and help each other out but having your own equipment will speed up things and will avoid any unnecessary delay on the flight line.  

 

12. Pilots are required to assemble back in front of the Empire Hobby booth 30 minutes after the 15th pilot has flown so we can proudly announce the top three pilots that will fly in the final day of the competition. . 

13. We will be limiting the competition to 15 pilots.   

This event is intended for all pilots to have fun either flying or just watching. 

We want to keep it simple to keep the pressure off of the pilots, judges and administration. So register soon and start practicing! See you at the 2009 Empire Hobby I.A.N. Competition.   Pilots wishing to register should complete and sign the registration form attached in this package. Submitting a short video or a link to one of your on line videos is recommended but is certainly not a requirement for selection. Please return you registration and any questions to Andy Panoncillo at APSERVO@AOL.COM  

  Thanks for your interest in the 2009 Empire Hobby I.A.N. Competition.