RC Helicopters

Author: Tim DiPeri

A man prepares a model helicopter for competition on a grassy field.

2024 TRIPLE CREEK RC HELI FALL CLASSIC

By Tim DiPeri | timdiperi@caseco-inc.com

I PARTICIPATE in several model helicopter events each year, and the Triple Creek RC (TCRC) Heli Fall Classic, which was held in Riverview, Florida, on October 26-27, 2024, is among my favorites. This event is a combination of a helicopter fun-fly and a formal AMA/Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) F3C competition. It’s a good drive for me (700 miles-plus each way), but it’s well worth the trip! In addition to flying with friends and sharing time together, I’ve met other pilots and spectators whom I can now call friends.

I might have never known about this field if it weren’t for Contest Director (CD) Nob Muraki. We have known each other for more than 30 years. Nob is a member of the TCRC club and has overseen this event for many years. One aspect of this event and venue that puts it in my “favored” trips is, among other things, the club’s welcoming hospitality. Many of the members and officers help run the event (cooking food, making sure everyone is pleased, etc.), even if they do not fly model helicopters. My sincere appreciation to all of them!

I arrived on Friday (which was not an official event day) to get a flight in after a long drive. The weather conditions were just about as good as anyone would want. Unfortunately, the event was held only days after a severe hurricane hit the heart of nearby Tampa, Florida, so there was plenty of clean up to do in town, but the field was perfect.

We flew bright and early on Saturday. Because the venue offers two runways, the competition stayed on one and the fun-fly was held on the other, so there wasn’t any interference. This has worked well for years and allows all pilots to enjoy the weekend.

A man walks across a grassy field carrying a model helicopter and transmitter. — Jeff Biter finishes a solid flight.

Two men watch a model helicopter flight on a grassy field. — Brian Byrdsong calls for Jeff Zaner, who concentrates on his flight round.

A covered pit area contains tables, equipment, vehicles, and model helicopters. — The pit area has first-class table and power accommodations.

Two men work on a model helicopter at a pit-area table. — Doug Phillips (R) returned to competition flying with a club member’s help in preparing for his flight round.

Nob, along with his club, has been very successful at attracting new (mostly Sportsman) competitors to this competition. Four new or recently returned AMA Sportsman competitors is a great success.

I believe everyone had an opportunity to get in four formal (and many more practice) flights. There was a small number of crashes and/or non-crash damage to some models. Crashes are not typical at a competition; however, they do happen. At this event several years ago, I destroyed a model during practice day because I lost orientation in a poorly lit sky. I had told myself and others that I was only going to “hover!”

The competitive spirit was strong, especially for the Sportsman category. I had an opportunity to serve as a judge during the event from time to time. It was so energizing to see how these newer competitors improved by implementing constructive feedback from the judges after each round. One of the major benefits of competition is to understand and implement what was learned for subsequent rounds.

The following are the results from the TCRC Heli Fall Classic F3C competition:

AMA Sportsman

Jeff Biter: 3990.03
Mike Ryder: 3966.44

Jeff Biter holding a radio transmitter beside a model helicopter — Jeff Biter had a well-fought victory as the champion Sportsman.

Jeff Zaner: 3744.18
Doug Phillips: 925.72

AMA Expert

Brian Byrdsong: 4000.00

FAI/F3C

Nob Muraki: 3000.00
Tim DiPeri: 2718.13
Gordie Meade: 2491.10

Pilots’ meeting at Triple Creek RC field with Nob Muraki at center — CD Nob Muraki (center) runs the pilots’ meeting. He does a great job, along with his club mates.

SOURCES:

American Radio Control Competition Helicopter Society (ARCCHS)
www.arcchs.org

Triple Creek RC Aircraft Club
www.triplecreekrc.com

Pilots and judges standing with model helicopters on a runway — Some of the pilots and judges from the Triple Creek RC Heli Classic are shown on one of the coolest runways.