Radio Control: Helicopters
Dave Chesney
Visiting Nitro, WV
I mentioned West Virginia's finest in last month's column but failed to give their names. This month one of those names gets a face as well. The photo below should forever end the anonymity of Gregg Harmon of Nitro, WV. Gregg and friend Mike Guinn treated me to a late-afternoon flying session just across the river from my office—to think I had been visiting Nitro for several years before looking for any flying activity!
On my first visit to the Nitro flying field I met Larry Hewitt. While Larry was not at the time a heli-pilot (he now has a Kalt 20), he knew both Gregg and Mike, and so the first flying session was arranged by him. Larry also invited me to visit his home several times just to keep me out of trouble. I really appreciate the hospitality from Larry and Sue Ellen Hewitt and from Gregg Harmon and Mike Guinn. Modelers really are some of the best people you can know.
I try to carry along the helicopter gear when I go out of town, when it is convenient. While I enjoy flying alone in vacant lots or parking lots, there is a certain pleasure missing that only being with other modelers can provide. Perhaps it is the enthusiasm that is heightened when sharing experiences with others; at any rate, I find it's more fun to fly with someone else. I felt that way as a beginner just as I do now. Judging from some of the letters I get, my feelings are not unique.
Finding other fliers / Regional associations
It seems like years ago that I suggested regional helicopter associations be developed (there were a few at the time—and even talk of revamping the old NCRCHA) so that beginners could learn of other fliers in their area. I still think this is a valid suggestion. Perhaps there are organizations out there, but I receive only one newsletter. Where are you, guys?
"Where are you, guys?" was a question raised by Dave Bickert (Chichester, NH) in the NCRCHA newsletter (edited by Low Lawrence). The NCRCHA replied:
- "Dave had an idea, if we (NCRCHA) understand it right, of starting an association up in his area and affiliating it with ours (NCRCHA) here. Actually, we'd like to see helicopter associations all over the country tied into some kind of information-exchange network so we'd know what was going on. If you've been reading our newsletter long, you know we exchange issues and borrow information from every other group we can possibly find, and we're happy if they borrow from us. (Thank goodness! — DRC) However, we also know there are a lot of groups, some informal, out there that we don't reach. And, every month we ask that if you know of another group, please ask them to get in touch with us."
- "That's about all we (NCRCHA) can do, Dave. If you start a newsletter for your organization, or if any of the rest of our members do it in other areas, you're welcome to borrow any information you can use from ours. If you don't get quite so formal, maybe you'd like to encourage people to join NCRCHA, and we'll try to spread whatever information and expertise we can in your area, also. We would ask you to encourage other people to join, not just come over every month to read your edition of Rotor Wing News—the only way we can hold cost down is to increase membership! Thanks for writing."
The National Capitol Radio Control Helicopter Association address is:
- 12538 Woodstock Drive East, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
There may be other organizations out there but, again, I don't get their newsletters! (That's a hint, folks.) Information is hard to come by, and it doesn't matter if you are a beginner, an expert, or a beginner who writes magazine columns. Getting enough information to write a column every month can be frustrating. Just ask the newsletter editors and magazine writers who get right to the deadline without something to write about. Throw in a little self-doubt, a few criticisms, a ruined roll of film—and oh, boy! (A call from your editor saying you're late again does wonders for pulling things together.)
Not only is information hard to come by, but heli-fliers are hard to find. It sure would be nice if you guys could convince your hobby shop owner to keep a contact list on hand just in case someone drops in wanting to find a chopper enthusiast. I've dropped in on a few shops in several towns over the years, and only once was I directed to a local flier. We must buy a lot of stuff by mail order.
I'd really love to help some of you find other fliers in your area, but very often I come up blank myself. The flying season is here, and I must travel. I hope I'll have a helicopter with me; anyone interested in a visit in or near the following cities, drop me a line:
- Birmingham, AL
- Atlanta, GA (except Danny Floyd)
- Charleston, SC
- Greenville, SC
- Chattanooga, TN
- Roanoke, VA
- Richmond, VA
Schluter Cup — Dandridge, TN
My company closed its branch office in Knoxville, TN, but thankfully I met Buddy Tucker at last year's Statesville, NC, Schluter Cup. Buddy hosted a Schluter Cup in Knoxville last year and sent these photos taken by Larry Nelson. Buddy writes:
"Dandridge, TN—the only city named after George Washington's wife, and where David Crockett was married—was the site of a Schluter Cup helicopter meet on September 25 and 26, 1982. Yes, the people at Miniature Aircraft Supply, Walt and Tim Schoonard, were willing to travel to the mountainous backwoods of East Tennessee in order to help us hillbillies handle our helicopters. Many thanks to them for making this an informative, fun event with a lot of friendly fellowship between all who competed. The event was held at the ARCH (Appalachian Radio Controlled Helicopters) field, which consists of a 75 x 2,200 ft. runway with nothing around but wide open spaces.
"Along with the first round of flying came the rain, which set in for the day, so flying would resume at 8 o'clock Sunday morning. Sunday started out looking like a repeat of Saturday, but the contestants attacked the course under a watery sky. After the second round, the skies cleared and the day was perfect. There was only a whisper of a breeze, and a total of 5 rounds were flown with no damage, except a couple of broken rotor blades.
"There were 16 contestants flying and about 10 other helicopter pilots attended to get help and instruction. After winning first place at the Washington, DC, Schluter Cup, L. A. Simpson started his run to gain top honors flying a Mini-Boy. Tim Schoonard flew a Heli-Boy to second, and Roy Swim with a Heli-Boy finished third in Expert.
"Tom Thrift with an SX-81 captured first in Novice, with Larry Taylor flying a Mini-Boy second, and Jon Ellis flying a Kalt Baron 50 Custom third.
"Robert Rogers was the number one beginner, number two was Dewey Tucker (both flew Kalt Baron 50 Customs), and Edwin Ham finished third with a Heli-Boy.
"Other entries were three Crickets and one Zenith, with the rest of the field flying Mini-Boys and Heli-Boys.
"Not only did Miniature Aircraft Supply furnish the nine trophies for the first three finishers in each division, but they also provided a Mini-Boy as a prize to be drawn for by the contestants, with Edwin Ham the lucky man. Even though it was not an advertised Schluter Cup meet, it was attended by contestants from Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, Florida, and from across Tennessee.
"There were about 30 people in attendance at the Saturday night banquet where Tim Schoonard spoke about helicopters and informed us about the products available from Miniature Aircraft Supply—and also gave a report about the new 'Superior' Heli-Boy soon to be released in the U.S. (There will be an upgrade package for all the Heli-Boys already in action.)
"This meet generated a lot of interest in helicopters and got our club (ARCH) off the ground. Our flying field is used exclusively for helicopters. We have flying sessions all day on Saturday and Sunday, with special help and instruction for all who need it. We will also be using videotapes for instruction, as soon as they become available."
If you are interested in flying with us or visiting our club, then contact:
- Dewey "Buddy" Tucker, R. 2, Box 404, Dandridge, TN 37725
- Phone: (area code 615) 397-7288
We are located by Interstate 40 about 30 miles east of Knoxville, TN; 60 miles west of Asheville, NC; and 90 miles south of Bristol, VA.
Ham radio note
A final note regarding my ham radio activities (or lack of activity): N4DFH no longer has the equipment or QTH necessary for operation on 160–10 meters. George Droyson, WD9CSX, does have equipment and needs help with helicopters. Contact George by mail at:
- 700 Fossil Drive, Ingleside, IL 60041
to set up a schedule.
Closing
Danny Floyd, I'll see you and others at Toledo. See you next month.
Dave Chesney P.O. Box 16612, Greensboro, NC 27406
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
