2nd Annual Tampa Bay Heli Classic Funfly and Contest

[HowHighCanItGo]

I just moved to the area and I'm going to try to get there. Although I won't be flying. (no ama card :( )

I will be bringing a few things I'd like to sell.

A fully decked out never crashed 450se a mint kalt baron whisper a 7c a fliton mini edge rtf as well as a bunch of foamy gear.

Anyone interested?

[ErichF]

We're getting everything lined up nicely. We got burgers n dogs n smoked sausage with 'krout and all the fixins.

We have top notch, World class pilots on our FAI line, and some top notch, XFC class talent on our 3D side as well...Bobby Watts is rumored to be attending.

However, this is not a factory demo event! I expect all of you local guys to bring your stuff and not be bashful about flying. If you have questions on setup or engine tuning or anything, this is a perfect event to come out with your helis and get some world class advise.

We have adopted the KISS philosophy...Field, Food, Friends, and FLYING.

Schedule of events? How about we just keep it simple: Pilot's meeting at 9am Saturday, and a noon demo period not to exceed one hour. After that, the event is yours. Of course, the contest line will have a flight order, but that's all the structure built into the event.

See you this weekend,

Erich

[BigO]

Any electrics and any cheese for the burgers? :arggg:

[ErichF]

Bobby Smith will be there, with a wide range of electrics.

Yes, I'm getting lotsa CHEESE!


Erich

[xStatiCa]

It might be handy to post a google maps url for that location. It is hard to tell where that is to me. It doesn't help that state road 54 and 56 do some weird stuff around that area.

Edit: found it...
Edit2: Better link with an arrow to point at the location.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=28.298335+-82.310472&layer=&ie=UTF8&z=13&ll=28.281859,-82.343216&spn=0.09947,0.21698&t=h&om=1&iwloc=addr

[Mike Fortin]

What exit is it off of 75?

[ErichF]

I put Google Images up on the fourth or fifth post on this thread.

I don't know what exit number it is, but there's only one exit for SR52, east or west. You wanna go east.

Erich

[xStatiCa]

The reason I put a link to google maps though is so people can zoom out and get a better idea for those not familiar with the area.

Mike, According to the site below it is exit 287 (old exit 59).
http://www.i75exitguide.com/florida/i75fl4.htm

[ErichF]

That's kool.

Also the exit towns are Dade City and San Antonio.

See ya'll tomorrow,

Erich

[xStatiCa]

Any night flying going to happen there? Need to know if I should bring the glowing heli or not.

[ErichF]

You're the only one that's asked, but that doesn't mean some folks aren't planning to do some night flying. If you have room, bring it!


Erich

[Mike Fortin]

No doubt that this is a great event! 2 flight lines and helis in the air all the time!

Great field, Great Food and as always great pilots!

I am here in Tampa now and looking forwardto day 2!

Erich and crew have done a wonderful job putting the event together so a BIG KUDOS to them!

If you didnt make it this year, I'm sure you won't want to miss next year as it promises to be even bigger with maybe 3 flight lines for everyone to enjoy!

[Tommy Norman]

i missed day one but today the guys put on a good show. i met erich and mike fortin both are very nice helpful guys so was everyone there.

[BobbySmith]

Man what a great time the 2 flights were filled wiht all kinds Good flying all day

Thanks to Eric and all his guys for putting on a Great event


Bobby

[SteveL]

Thanks Erich great Job

[ErichF]

Thanks all who attended our little event! We appreciate the positive comments made.

The weather couldn't have been special ordered any better. For the first time in weeks, we enjoyed light winds and moderate temps. We had to wait out a spring shower Saturday afternoon, and some fog on Sunday morning, but otherwise it was very nice.

Contest attendance was nearly a carbon copy of last year. We had 8 in F3C, 2 in AMA class III, one in II (me), and a brand new heli contest pilot in class I. We had an additional 22 pilots register for the funfly event.

Friday's practice session went well, as the contestants started filtering in from around the eastern seaboard. Dwight Shilling gets credit for a great save, following a tail rotor servo failure upstairs. He earned a free Caliber 90 for that one :D

Saturday started with a pilot's meeting at 10 am, and a demo flight for F3C Sched A was flown flawlessly ;) by Nob Muraki. Afterwards, the contest was on! Over on the funfly line, Bobby Smith was tearing it up with his electrics. The funfly line started to get really busy around 11 am. We flew three rounds all classes on saturday, ending around 5:30 pm.

Sunday started under some fog, which quickly burned off by 9:30 am. We got rounds started by 10:00 am with F3C sched B. All classes flew two rounds and we wrapped up around 2:00 pm.

I wanted to mention a new pilot in the ranks this year, long time IMAC competitor and national champion Baron Johnson, from Ocala, FL. We emailed me shortly after the Nationals last year, indicating some interest in flying helicopter competition. Well, he fulfilled his interest and come out for AMA class I. He did very well for his first taste of the dark side, pulling in some solid scores. I think he come on strong and give us all a good run for our money.

Kudos go out to all the locals that came out to help put on the event, the Can-Am Flyers for hosting us, and all the participants especially.

I will be posting the contest results in the AMA/FAI Contest Section this evening. A quick rundown of winners without the numbers is below:

AMA Class I: 1st, Baron Johnson (single entry)

AMA Class II: 1st, Erich Freymann (single entry)

AMA Class III: 1st, Dave Sellars
2nd, Dennis Purduski

FAI F3C: 1st, Wayne Mann
2nd, Dwight Shilling
3rd, Cliff Hiatt

Same weekend next year, and I'm thinking of adding a scale event, too. Then, we would have an event truly for everyone! Also, as we gain experience with the new 3D contest format this year in Nashville and the Nats, we may also offer that as well.

Cheers,

Erich