It's been a long time since I last published a newsletter and for that I must apologise, things have been very busy here with keeping my helis going, introducing a new heli to the fleet and organising my trip to Australia to compete in a couple of competitions over there at the end of November.

Since I last sent out a newsletter the 3D Masters have come and gone (yes it has been that long) and congratulations to Jason Krause (first in Masters Class), Duncan Osbourn (first in Expert Class) and John Parker (first in Sportsman Class) for their results in this awesome event. From what I have seen and heard, it sounds like the 3D Masters event is going from strength to strength and I look forward to seeing the videos for this year's event!

Also, I was talking about getting a Xcell Tempest FAI machine, well now it's here, after what seemed like an eternity for the machine to get here it's all fully built up and ready to go. For a long time now the CS has been the king of my fleet for the sheer enjoyment I get out of flying it. It remains to be seen whether the Tempest will surpass the CS or not. In this edition I've included an article on the process of building the Tempest and I've made a number of comparisons with the CS. Next month, I'll do a report on the flying and aerobatics (from an F3C perspective) characteristics of this machine. Meanwhile I've been doing a fair amount of 3D with the CS and am loving it. It just makes things soo much easier!

New Toys
In addition to the Tempest, I've also got two OMI modified Cline Regulator OS 60K carbs which I've fitted to the CS and the Tempest. While it's very early days yet I've been pretty impressed with the way the engines (C-Specs) are running with them. However they better be good cause the cost of shipping the damn carbs to the US and back was a HELL of a lot more than the cost of the modifications themselves!

I've also got a set of Rotortech 720 blades which I've put on the Tempest to try. It's very difficult to say what effect they've had cause they're on a machine that I haven't flown yet, so I'll probably put them on one of the Vigors temporarily to evaluate in comparison to the MS and SAB 710's I've been using.

Also, on the way is my Curtis case which I'm using to cart the helis (Tempest and the CS) to Australia.

Australian Trip, November 2003
Myself, along with a couple of other guys are making the trip over to Melbourne, Australia at the end of November to compete in the 3D Downunder (22nd and 23rd) and the Victorian Champs (29th and 30th) both of which I've done little or no practise for! I've been organising flights, rental cars and travel insurance for the trip and after a bit of a search managed to find a good insurance deal with a contact given to me by Aaron Williams who travels to the World Champs. I managed to get a policy written up that covers the helicopters and all their equipment from when they leave the house to when they get back from Australia, as well as the usual features such as unlimited health, cameras etc. I had been starting to dispair after looking through the 'usual' channels for insurance who looked at me sideways when I mentioned radio control and were in disbelief that a 'toy' could cost so much!

About me
A number of people have pointed out that the 'About me' section of the website had become pretty outdated, so I've updated a couple of the details here.

Pilot Locator
The Pilot Locator has continued to grow in popularity since the last newsletter with it still rating second most popular section of littlerotors.com. Make sure your details are up-to-date! The pilot locator can be found at www.littlerotors.com/findapilot/

Market
The Buy/Sell Market has been growing also. It should be noted that this section will accept postings from all over the world, not just New Zealand. List your items free of charge! See the market at www.littlerotors.com/market/

Articles this issue are:

Building the Tempest FAI
The Xcell Tempest FAI is one of the newest helicopters on the block and is Miniature Aircraft's new flagship of their line. Former World Champion, Cliff Hiatt has designed this machine to be highly competitive in the upper echelon of F3C flying. Not that I expect it will make me fly much better, but I had to get one anyway! Click here

Updated Flying Lessons
Martyn Cook has put together a comprehensive list of maneuvers and variations for a budding pilot to work towards. Click here.

Feel free to contact me at simon@littlerotors.com at any time.

Si