2010 Empire Hobby Non-Sponsored Pilot Competition at the IRCHA Jamboree

Thanks for your interest in the 2010 Empire Hobby I.A.N. (IRCHA Amateurs National) non-sponsored pilot competition! We are working hard to help make this the premiere competition to showcase the talent of up and coming heli pilots. Last year was loads of fun and we are excited to be hosting it once again.

The Empire Hobby IRCHA Amateurs National competition is designed to give pilots that are talented and have worked hard at refining their skill a chance to showcase just how far they've come. In a nutshell, "all eyes on you", Not to mention this is a great way for you to gain some exposure and maybe become the next top sponsored pilot! Tons of fun without the added pressure of competing against the industry's top sponsored pilots. What more could one regular Joe ask for.

Up for grabs is a one year sponsorship with Team Empire and Team Gaui. Getting to work Andy Pannoncillo, Mitch Morozas, Danny Szabo, JC Zankl and Brandon Fiorante will at the very least keep you on your toes and certainly should help you take your game to the next level.

This is not necessarily a novice event but if you think you've got what it takes, then you'd better sign up!

The competition will be held at the AMA Helicopter site during the 2010 IRCHA Jamboree on Friday morning and afternoon. We will be hosting a dedicated flight station for the competition.

General Rules of the Competition:

1. Any pilots wishing to join the competition will need to complete the registration form (below). In order to be considered for selection in this non-sponsored pilots competition, all applicants must meet the following criteria (item #2) in order to maintain fairness and the spirit of this event.

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 Friday the 13th 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

Tumbling Vertical Figure “8”

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.

Points will be deducted for the following reasons:

• Rate of tumbling not constant
• Figure not centered and symmetrical
• 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 round one on the 14th will compete later in the day in round two (final round). 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 second round, 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 500 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 part of the helicopter shall touch the ground other than the skids during the entire routine/flight.  In the event the helicopter contacts the ground (other than the skids), the time keeper will halt or stop the flight and the flight will be ruled as a crash. In the event of a crash the pilot will only be scored if he or she flew at least 2 minutes of the available flight time.

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 receive a deduction in points. Details will be discussed during the pilots meeting.

11. Don't forget to look professional. Please be on time and 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 first round has been flown so we can announce the top three pilots that will fly in the final round of the competition.

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13. We will be limiting the competition to 10 pilots.

14. The winning pilot shall be selected by the judging panel based on score, perceived potential and overall raw talent. The decision of the judges shall be final.

This event is intended for all pilots to have fun either flying or just watching. We want to keep it simple in order to keep the pressure off of the pilots, judges and administration. So register soon and start practicing! See you at the 2010 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 APSERVOS@AOL.COM

Thanks for your interest in the 2010 Empire Hobby I.A.N. Competition.