NZ Team Returns from Heli World Champs
George Schneider

After many months of planning, much $$ saving, and countless litres of fuel, Muncie Indiana saw the arrival of the New Zealand Team, for the 2001 F3C World Helicopter Championships.
Representing NZ was Aaron Williams, our top F3C flyer, and myself, George Schneider, filling the position of Team Manager. This was our first WC, and we were greatly looking forward to the competition.

Aaron was flying a very sweet Kyosho Caliber, with an excellent DC .60 engine, for his primary helicopter. His main radio is the Futaba WC2, which proved to be the industry standard radio.

Aaron has been working and planning for this trip since last year. With the help of the NZ Kyosho distributor, Leisuretime Developments, the Caliber was obtained so Aaron could begin his work with the machine. The Caliber is also flown by many other competitors, proving the quality of the helicopter. The machine is the finest of the Kyosho line, justifiably so.

While Aaron's role as a pilot was a clear one, my job as Team Manager was to look after the paperwork side of things, get the transmitters into and out of the impound at the correct times, and also "call" for Aaron. While I was reasonably certain the paperwork and TX handling wouldn't be a problem, Aaron and I spent several days in Taupo and Hamilton, working together on the timing of the "calls" to the judges. Since I fly in the Clubman class, I had to learn the F3C Schedule, and what it was to look like. But thanks to Aaron's' skill and knowledge, this part came together quickly, and soon we were working together very well.
On arrival in Muncie, Aaron received a package that was waiting for him. When he opened it, he found a very nice banner, that had been organised by some of the folks in NZ heli scene. It had made the rounds in the country, collecting signatures and good will messages for the NZ Team. This banner was a great surprise to us, and we were very flattered that all the guys had done this for us. We displayed it in our tent, and it attracted a great deal of attention. We were proud to show everyone the high level of support we had behind us.
The first four days of competition featured the F3C Schedule A, which everyone flew. Then the top flyers from these results, were selected to fly Schedule B. The results from Schedule A also determined the Team Winner. So when we went into the Schedule B rounds, we already knew that the Japanese Team had received the highest points, and hence the Team trophy.

The Opening ceremonies on Saturday saw each country introduced to the assembled crowd. When each team walked out to their place on the field, carrying their national flag, their own national anthem was played. When it came our turn to join the other countries on the field, and "God Defend New Zealand" was played, it was a very special moment. We may have had one of the smallest teams present, but I know I felt very proud to be representing New Zealand.
Following speeches by the CEO of the AMA, and the Head Rep of the FAI, plus the Mayor of the town of Muncie, the event was declared open, and then we were all invited over to the great American-style BBQ that was waiting for us. It should be noted that the good folks from Radio Control Technique magazine sponsored both the BBQ and the closing banquet.
The AMA site was a huge 1000-acre field, which has several paved areas, for everything from control line to large-scale pattern ships. It was in these paved areas that the event directors set up 2 flight lines, about 1km apart. Due to the large number of flyers, this meant that the flyers were divided up in two groups, with 34 pilots in each group. These groups always flew together, and the NZ team was fortunate enough to be placed in the same group as the Americans, the Japanese, the Brits, and the Ozzies!! The radio freqs were very carefully co-ordinated, so there was no chance for interference between the two flying sites.
Also provided on the flying site, were 4-5 medium sized tents, to be shared by several teams in the morning and the afternoon sessions. This allowed good protection from the strong sun that was there for most of the rounds. We frequently shared a tent with the teams from France and Italy - some very nice folks.
The pit area set-up allowed us to have a very close contact with the top-level flyers. We were able to get many chances to talk to these other guys, ask them questions, and pick their brains. It was very refreshing to find that all these guys were very approachable, friendly, and very willing to chat. The ability to talk with these guys was worth the cost of the entire trip.
The actual surface that was used in both flight lines was a grey carpet, with a small piece for the starting box, and another bigger piece for the actual 10m square flight box. White paint marked the square, and the landing circle, with 6 orange cones marking the sides, as per normal. Carpet was used to avoid too much damage to the skids of the machines. This carpet was laid onto the asphalt, and them very securely nailed down.
The first four days of competition featured the F3C Schedule A, which everyone flew. Then the top flyers from these results, were selected to fly Schedule B. The results from Schedule A also determined the Team Winner. So when we went into the Schedule B rounds, we already knew that the Japanese Team had received the highest points, and hence the Team trophy.

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