Radio Control: Helicopters
Dave Chesney
SORRY ABOUT THAT. Yes, I'm sorry if you missed all of those terrific helicopter contests last year; but what about this season? I hope you will give at least one contest a whirl this year. Whether you're a beginner or expert, there is an enjoyment and challenge that cannot be met in any other way.
I still remember attending my first helicopter contest just two months after building my first chopper. No doubt the judges at the 1976 NRCHA Nationals remember the new records set in the hangar where we beginners attempted our hover flights (records like: the most judges to squeeze behind one chair or through the nearest exit).
Things have really changed since then, but one thing never seems to change: people who are really interested in RC helicopters will attend a contest somewhere. If you are one of those beginners who have written wondering where to find folks interested in building and flying RC choppers in your area, get to a contest this year and you'll find them. But don't just sit on the sidelines—get in there and meet people, ask questions. Better still, participate! You will never learn more about RC choppers than when you fly with other contestants, and you'll never get more help or advice about your machine than you can at those contests—if you ask for help. I dare you.
I remember my first contest and will always be grateful for the advice and comments of folks like Bill Curtis, Grady Howard, John Simone, Walt Schoonard, John Burleson, and those unknown judges who watched from behind chairs and around the corners of the hangar while my Helibaby skittered from one corner of the hangar to the other. I don't even feel so badly for placing 31st out of 32 beginners (contestant 32 dropped out, or I think I could have been last place), because I left that meet knowing a lot of "secrets" which would soon mean lots of flying successes (but no trophies).
The Schluter Cup Trip
With those fond memories in mind, I convinced Glenn Willison to drive with me to the Schluter Cup meet last September 11–12 in Washington, DC. Since Glenn was doing pretty well I figured he needed contest exposure; he agreed to go along. As it turned out, neither of us flew the contest, but we had a grand time. I hope the photos and the narrative convey a little of the pleasure and excitement.
By invitation of Joe Lawrence and John Burleson of the National Capitol Radio Control Helicopter Association (NCRCHA) we departed Greensboro for the long drive to Washington, DC. John had made arrangements for our arrival at the Holiday Inn Capitol, but because we were due late we rolled up to the gate at the contest site at 4:00 a.m. and slept in the Toyota until sunup, when a guard opened the gate.
The flying site was the Goddard Space Center Antenna Test Grounds, nestled between two large towers used for testing microwave and other specialty antenna systems. The site was provided by NASA and the Goddard Model Airplane Club. Glenn tried to sleep and shake off a bad cold, but he didn't last long—Early-Bird Burleson showed up shortly after our entry to test his new Mini-Boy.
Contest workers began to appear and the field soon had helicopter task locations set up from one end to the other. This was a large field, so there was plenty of separation between each task site. Walt Schoonard put the final touches on the area as registration began. By this time I decided I would not fly in the contest but would take photos and try to rest—the cold had really wiped me out.
Twenty-eight contestants registered:
- 8 Beginner class
- 12 Novice class
- 8 Expert class
- 6 Scale entries (included in totals above)
The Schluter Cup contest format was devised by Walt Schoonard, who co-sponsors Schluter Cup meets and works with host clubs such as the NCRCHA.
Contest Format and Flying
Contest tasks require no translational flight; since this is the case, contestants with a lot of hover practice usually do better than those who practice primarily forward flight and aerobatics. L. A. Simpson is a perfect example—he had not tried any forward flight and, in fact, could barely hover a helicopter just a year before this Expert-class win. His steady contest practice, plus long-distance advice from Walt Schoonard, accounted for his abilities. He clearly deserved the win. (By the way, two months later L. A. finally tried forward flight.)
Beginners had a ball in their own class. Some could barely keep their machines upright, yet they performed to the best of their abilities and improved with each task. A couple of ambitious beginners attempted Mac's "Hover Race" and actually stayed in motion for a few seconds before contacting terra firma. The camaraderie among competitors was evident throughout the day.
Keep in mind that Beginner and Novice pilots could follow behind their machines during tasks, while Experts had to stand in one spot.
Notable Competitors
- Sam Newhouse (Novice): A memorable "follower" whose body English and facial expressions seemed to have great significance to his Kavan Alouette. Sam was just 10 points from third place in Novice, beaten by Pat Carletto. Sam did most of his practice from a New York City rooftop.
- Stan Blum (Novice): Wore a winged hat (a trademark) and won second place in Novice. He also practiced medicine at the contest—handy to have an ear, nose and throat specialist around when I was fighting a cold.
- John Burleson (Novice/Scale): Too good to be a perennial Novice—watch out for him. He won first place in Novice flying his Mini-Boy and second place in Scale with his Schluter AS350. His flying is excellent and his building superb.
- Horace Hagen (Expert/Scale): Flew his faithful Kavan Jet Ranger in both Expert and Scale. He was at a slight disadvantage in Expert due to the size of his helicopter but made up for it with a first place in Scale.
- L. A. Simpson (Expert): Example of how contest discipline and practice can quickly improve a pilot's skill. Won Expert class.
Schluter Cup Results (four rounds of flying)
- Beginner Class:
- 1) Dean Doody — 260
- 2) Dew Eng — 200
- 3) Herbert Goldberg — 150
- Todd Pfister — 120
- Bob Barone — 50
- Mike Robins — 30
- Dick Hutchings — 20
- John Sproul — 0
- Novice Class:
- 1) John Burleson — 940
- 2) Stan Blum — 880
- 3) Pat Carletto — 810
- Sam Newhouse — 800
- Dave Davison — 720
- Tom Unger — 590
- Dick Sultz — 550
- Ron King — 430
- Dick Walter — 140
- Glen Sicilian — 100
- Paul Ahnert — 0
- Gary Quiring — 0
- Expert Class:
- 1) L. A. Simpson — 1640
- 2) Tom Knerr — 1620
- 3) Joe Lawrence — 1570
- Bob Harris — 1530
- Tim Schoonard — 1410
- Horace Hagen — 1360
- Faye Peoples — 1040
- Harry Lodovico — 580
Weekend Highlights and Thanks
I wish there had been more room for photos in this column, since there was lots of flying action during this two-day meet—much more than I could convey in such a short column. Looking at the score sheets, fliers were evenly matched to their class (except, perhaps, for Burleson), and while some of the tasks were difficult, none were impossible (the water lift was close, I think), since most contestants chose to try all tasks in their class.
Joe Lawrence and the NCRCHA, NASA and the Goddard Model Airplane Club, and Walt Schoonard of Schluter U.S.A. really went all out to make it a fine weekend. The steak dinner Saturday night topped off a terrific first day. Dick Sultz won the door prize of a glass replica of a Heli-Boy donated by Bob Harris, NASA glassblower extraordinaire. NCRCHA video tapes of this flying, plus other tapes of contests past, were shown. Of course, there was plenty of helicopter talk, too.
Special thanks from Glenn and me to Dick and Ann Hutchings, who invited us to stay at their home Saturday night, and to Joe Lawrence, John Burleson, Bob Harris, and the NCRCHA whose 24 volunteers hosted the 28 contestants in grand style. The NCRCHA also sends special thanks to the contestants and to Walt and Tim Schoonard; they look forward to your return and to some new faces in 1983. Watch for the dates in the "Competition Newsletter" section.
Other Schluter Cup contests are held around the country; all have been sponsored by Walt Schoonard and Schluter U.S.A. I've been to several, and I've seen beginners get expert help from Walt and from others every time. These contests are worthy of your support by attendance. If you want help, it is there for the asking. Get out there! See you next month.
Dave Chesney P.O. Box 16612 Greensboro, NC 27406
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
