I've been in Melbourne now for just over three weeks and as you can expect, have been very busy getting myself organised with flying fields, finding a place to live and getting organised at work.
True to form, there was some hassle getting the helis into the country. The customs service was scared I would bring them in and sell them and keep the tax money! Could I prove I'd brought them in New Zealand? (given that New Zealand is world renowned for helicopter trafficking, who can blame them?), I had to get Galtech Models in New Zealand to fax through an invoice detailing a description of the Vigor and Tempest and when I'd brought them. Finally, after four hours at the Customs office, they were cleared and they were introduced to one of the Aussie fields. True to form, the Vigor handled the transition well and was as happy as Larry chewing up Aussie air. The Tempest however was quite homesick and didn't think too highly of it's new surroundings and ran like a bag of Sh*t. Three weeks, five disassemblies later, I think we've reached an agreement and it's coming back to life.

Although this newsletter is a short one, you can expect more in upcoming newsletters. There will be articles on the visit to Las Vegas Heli Club that we are doing this weekend, also a head to head shootout between the Tempest FAI, JR Sylphide 90 and the Hirobo Eagle WCIII. At the moment the Eagle is still being built and the delivery timeline keeps slipping, but I should have a first impressions review by next newsletter. Also coming up is the first ever Asia Pacific F3C competition next month!

Asia Pacific F3C Open
I'm very excited about this event. It's the first ever Asia Pacific F3C Open and this year it's being held in Bali and it's looking like it's going to be a great event. In addition to the F3C competition between competitors from eight different countries, there will be workshops held by Shigetada Taya, 3D Demos by Kazuya Yamaguchi, Todd Bennett and Jason Krause and various other modelling demonstrations.

We leave on Tuesday for this event and haven't been able to get much practise in, but am greatly looking forward to it!

The event runs from 5th to the 10th of May. For more information, visit www.iohc.or.id.

3D Masters 2004
Once again the world leading 3D competition is coming up and Jeff Barringer and his crew have been very busy organising an event that looks like it will surpass even last years effort! This year even more international pilots from many different countries will be competing!

Also Jeff has launched another initiative to promote 3D throughout the world, it's the World 3D Register, I urge you to check it out and register if you feel so inclined.

Visit www.3dmasters.org.uk for more information on both the 3D Masters event and the 3D Register!

Trip to Las Vegas
On Monday I arrived back from the US where I was attending a large conference with some other guys from work. We were located in Las Vegas for the majority of the time and ofcourse, I had to get out to the local field and meet the Szabos. While there I took plenty of photos. I'm currently in the middle of writing an article on the whole adventure, it will be ready for the next newsletter.

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:

JR Challenge 2004
The 2nd Annual JR Challenge was held at Trentham Shooting Range in Wellington and was a great success! Click here

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

Si