Author: Tim DiPeri

Edition: Model Aviation - 2021/12
Page Numbers: 72, 73, 74
Group of RC helicopter pilots standing in a field beside a helicopter.

RC HELICOPTERS

MUSIC CITY
WHEN PIGS FLY
HELICOPTER
FUN-FLY

By Tim DiPeri | timd iperi@caseco-inc.com

Group of RC helicopter pilots standing in a field beside a helicopter.
Many of these pilots have not seen one another for more than 10 years. It was the first time in a long time for them to gather!

THE YEAR 2020 was interesting and perhaps the most challenging in a lifetime for many reasons—and for many people—around the world. Fortunately, some model helicopter events were able to take place and offered an opportunity to gather (responsibly) for some fun, flying, and fellowship!

The Music City When Pigs Fly helicopter fun-fly has been an unofficial get-together of helicopter pilots that Robert Hughes has organized for many years. For the past two years, the group has invited pilots outside of the Nashville, Tennessee, area. The 2020 event, held October 9-11, pulled in pilots from six states for a terrific long weekend to enjoy flying, as well as the very best barbecue (smoked on the field!) in the state of Tennessee. Dave Ellis utilized his secret process and sauce that made it painful to go back for thirds—but likely! If the barbecue wasn’t enough, the group’s leader, Barry Pope, arrived with a tray of banana pudding that was to die for (yes, his wife made it—and thanks!). Food was a big draw!

Attendees started arriving Thursday and many camped at the field. Most of the pilots arrived on Friday and, by the time I got there, the field was packed. I was there earlier in the week to prepare a contest (AMA/FAI) course on the field because approximately a third of the pilots were competition pilots and hoped to get in some practice. Although many pilots enjoyed the formal contest layout, others enjoyed the long flightline and unobstructed space to do whatever flying they desired.

We were fortunate to have three things that make an event great: good weather, great food, and lots of pilots. Additionally, we had a small

Full-scale helicopter parked in a field.
Longtime RC heli pilot, Dave Storey, provided a weekend of demonstrations with his full-scale helicopter. He is an excellent pilot and made this hobby a career.

resurrection of several of the “old-timer” helicopter pilots (from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s) pop by for a while to share war stories and play with some helicopters. Competition pilots including Wayne Mann, Tom Dooley, Dave Storey, Mike Fortune, and Rick Hayes joined us. This was the first time in probably 15 years that we had all gotten together at a flying event!

Dave forgot his model heli but flew his full-scale helicopter to the event. He regularly flies to the event to show his full-scale helicopter’s capabilities and allowed all of us to drool over it. His company, Storey Aviation, is available to help prospective pilots who are interested in small, full-scale helicopters. The website is listed in “Sources.” The Mosquito XED invaded the event, with Dave in command of the aircraft and showing impressive skills.

People unloading a scale helicopter from a van and trailer.
Darrell Sprayberry’s scale setup is for flying and heli transportation.

In addition to competition pilots, the flightline was active with all kinds of models, both day and night. There was plenty of 3D and scale flying, with nitro-, electric-, and turbine-powered helis all being flown. The only time the flying remotely slowed down was after lunch, when we were all in a bit of a coma from being overfed.

This wasn’t a big draw for vendors, but representatives from companies such as Peak Aircraft (the minicopter, Quest, and Hirobo importer) and Kontronik (power systems) attended, as did many of their field pilots. It’s always good when vendors

A pilot flying a yellow RC helicopter in a field
A former member of the US World Helicopter Championship team, Tom Dooley, is back to fly again.
A custom-painted orange and yellow RC helicopter in flight
This custom-painted SAB Urukay is owned by Doug Trent of Kentucky.

and factory pilots attend and can be asked questions for immediate assistance. There was no void in talent and expertise when it came to pilots; anyone who wanted help could get what they came for.

I spent a fair amount of time just chatting and flying my Bell 206. Additionally, I worked with some of the competition pilots concerning maneuvers and gyro setup. For anyone who is interested in competition flying, it’s incredible what a little tuning from someone with experience can do to help you and the model fly better. Unfortunately, there is no real place to get this information online, so these types of events are invaluable.

I spent 1.5 flights standing next to Robert Montee from the TellARotor podcast, who is an F3C pilot. He performed some

A scale model of a Russian Mil Mi-24 Hind helicopter flying in a field
An impressive scale model of the Russian Mil Mi-24 Hind, with supersized turbine power.

maneuvers and landed to do a little gyro tweaking. The maneuvers looked far better, and he said the model flew much easier than before the slight tweaking. It’s just impossible to get that type of involvement outside of an event such as this.

To me, good times with friends new and old seemed so much more important in 2020. Perhaps it was just a reminder of one of the more important parts of this hobby/sport.

I’m sure there are many ways to spend a fall weekend in Nashville, but this event is at the top of my list!

SOURCES:

International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association (IRCHA)
www.ircha.org

Storey Aviation
(410) 458-3705
www.storeyaviation.com

TellARotor RC Podcast
https://tellarotor.podbean.com