AMA Nats Lincoln '79: RC Helicopters
Tim Peters
Event overview
Dave Chesney gets a break this month while I describe the '79 Nats helicopter event held at Hendrick's Sod Farm on the southwest edge of Lincoln, Nebraska. The site was excellent for both the helicopter and soaring events: large, flat, and without obstructions. When contestants arrived Monday morning, July 30, one problem was evident — the grass was so thick and long that it was nearly impossible to fly without your tail rotor blades hanging up. The sod farm management had workers out right away and they quickly trimmed the grass in the flying area. Contestants and local help assisted CD Bob Haden in setting up the impound area and plywood helipads so flying could get underway.
Bob Haden is well known for his Toledo trophy-winning helicopters at the '78 and '79 shows. The next time you see him, ask him how much he sold the silver one for!
The number of contestants was disappointingly low — a total of eight fliers. All were Open entries — no Junior or Senior. It amazed me that there was no more interest in a contest close to the geographical center of the U.S. that decides the National Champions. Regardless of size, the competition was fierce. We all became good friends and worked hard at public relations with the abundant spectators. The media was out too, and we received front-page billing in one of the local newspapers, along with a nice article.
Notable pre-contest flying
Before the contest I met Expert flier Larry Jolly and Intermediate flier Craig Hall, both from California. Larry flew his OS Schnuerle-powered Heliboy out in front of the dorms on Sunday. We were treated to loops, rolls, 360-degree stall turns, and smooth autorotations. Larry was using one of the new Futaba helicopter radios — the 5JH — and said, "Don't know yet; this was my first flight with it!" He was the victim of no less than four crashes during test flying and competition on Monday. Some were due to autorotation problems; others appeared to be unexplained radio problems.
Craig Hall flew consistently and smoothly in his Heliboy powered by new HP Goldcup engines with a tuned pipe and using a Futaba radio. Craig said that some Californians had been having trouble with dual-conversion receivers (Futaba Contest 7s); other contestants reported better luck using Cirrus receivers with Futaba servos.
You may remember last year's Nats Novice Champ, Bruce Buchanan of Winona, MN, flying a beautiful full-fuselage Kavan Jet Ranger. During test flying on the second day the Kavan's OS 60 FSR failed at about 75 feet and could not be autorotated. Undaunted, Bruce pulled his HB-equipped Heliboy from his station wagon and finished the competition, placing 3rd in Intermediate. His Heliboy used the Variant radio he won at last year's NRCHA contest.
Competitors and results
- Expert
- 1st: Mike Mas — demonstrated the Expert maneuvers and became Expert champion. His stable of Revolution Commanders was powered by Rossis and K&Bs with Futaba gear. During demo flying after the end of the competition the Rossi in one of his Commanders destroyed the main gear and the ship crashed on autorotation attempt.
- 2nd: Larry Jolly — despite multiple crashes, he flew aggressively and placed second in Expert. He had been testing the Futaba 5JH but did not use it in the actual contest.
- 3rd: Peyton Enloe (Louisiana) — flew exciting maneuvers and just barely pulled one out; placed third in Expert.
- Intermediate
- 1st: Craig Hall — smooth, consistent flying in a Heliboy with an HP Goldcup engine and tuned pipe.
- 2nd: Warren Wagner (Syracuse, NY) — his Helibaby showed commendable, smooth flying.
- 3rd: Bruce Buchanan — finished after his Kavan failed and placed third flying his Heliboy.
- Novice
- 1st: Tim Peters (author) — HB-powered Heliboy.
- 2nd: Walter Throne (Novice, Syracuse, NY) — flying a Webra Speed-powered Helibaby, the only teetering-head .40 helicopter flown; used a Profile Custom Competition radio and handled 7–10 mph breezes well.
Other participants: Lloyd Wheeler (Elgin, IL) forewent competing to assist CD Bob Haden and put on exhibition flights. Schoonard and Gorham were mentioned as working with Lloyd on autorotation clutch/main gear testing for Schluter.
Organization meeting — reforming a helicopter pilots' group
A meeting was held Monday night in the dorm to discuss a new helicopter organization. Larry Jolly and Mike Mas are co-directing the reforming helicopter pilots' organization and outlined their goals:
- Form an organization of pilots free from commercial influences.
- Work with the AMA rules committee to influence rule changes.
- Unify various helicopter groups.
- Keep members informed with a timely newsletter (possibly bimonthly).
- Implement a grade-proficiency program similar to the old NRCHA.
- Compile a list of proficient fliers around the nation whom beginners can contact for assistance.
They have identified about six people in different parts of the U.S. who will contact former NRCHA members for ideas. For those interested in helping or being listed as a contact, write:
- Larry Jolly: 550 W. Como, Santa Ana, CA 92703
- Mike Mas: 23811 Via Fabricante, Suite 102, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
These organizers are donating time and covering expenses out of pocket to get the group started. Send comments and suggestions; don’t expect instant answers, but you should hear about their efforts in the magazines soon.
Equipment and technical notes
- Radios and receivers
- Some Californians reported problems with dual-conversion receivers in Futaba Contest 7 units. Several competitors had better luck using Cirrus receivers with Futaba servos.
- Larry tested the Futaba 5JH helicopter radio but experienced multiple crashes while using it on test flights.
- HB Heliboy collective-pitch arm problem and a proposed mod
- Many Heliboy fliers have had problems with collective pitch arms working loose from blade axles on rough landings or crashes. The arms are peened on and tend to change adjustment; disassembly of the rotor head is required to remove the axle/pitch arm.
- Peyton Enloe plans to market a modification (based on an idea from Bo Hinch) that addresses this problem. The mod includes:
- New axles
- Wider blade mounting blocks (similar to the Schlueter update kit blocks, but wider)
- Massive pitch arms that mount on the blocks from the outside (do not pass through slots in the head side plates)
- Using Beller mixers with this setup places the mixers on the inside of the pitch arm and keeps ball links more in line with the head, protecting the ball links during starting and tinkering. The mod requires free-floating main blade mounts.
- Expected price: about $30 (by the time you read this they should be available). Contact:
- Peyton Enloe, 326 E. March Dr., Lafayette, LA 70501. Home phone: (318) 981-2455.
- Peyton is a full-size helicopter pilot by profession and has been flying RC choppers about a year and a half.
- Carburetor midrange issue (Perry carb on HB engines)
- My HB-powered Heliboy suffered from no midrange adjustment on the Perry carb. The engine would "burp" into a 4-cycle occasionally, causing tail swings. Leaning the idle disk to shift midrange introduced idle problems; a zero in the second round for a no-start convinced me that was not a reliable cure.
- Mike Mas suggested disassembling the carb and removing the idle mixture disk. There is a slot that meters idle fuel — enlarge this slot slightly (use a razor saw, cut a little at a time), clean burrs, reassemble, and test. The enlarged slot richens the idle while leaning the disk leans the midrange, which may improve the midrange without losing idle.
- Autorotations and blade finish
- Lloyd Wheeler and others reminded fliers that autorotations are not for beginners. Mike Mas commented that about 30 feet is the minimum safe altitude for starting autorotations and that blade finish is important — smooth blades work best.
Schedule and thanks
We flew four rounds on Monday and three on Tuesday. By noon Tuesday the fliers agreed to cease competition and spent the afternoon fun-flying for the spectators.
Thanks to judges and local supporters: Tom Yantis, John Kelly, AMA V.P. John Grigg, Bob Carlson, Walter Pimm, and Mike Ritoya. Special thanks to Mike Mas, Lloyd Wheeler, Peyton Enloe, and my dad, Jerry Peters, for helping me with problems and calling my otherwise unrecognizable maneuvers.
Plan to attend the Nats next year — I do!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
