Here’s a tip, if your local heli club isn’t taking on any new members, offer to help out at their next competition – either setting up or as a “spotter.” There can never be enough hands on deck, where the public and electric helicopters are concerned.
Often, helping out at a rally can be the best way of discovering what is expected of competitive RC helicopters. The following notes are taken from the American rule book, but seeing as most clubs follow FAI guidelines, the set-up is pretty much the same, the world over.
Club Fly Ins last anything from one afternoon to a 3 day bank holiday weekend, but “serious” BMFA/FAI competitions are usually held over two days. The event may be mixed wing, or for RC helicopters alone – naturally, electric helicopters have their own, separate classes. Camping is often part of the fun although, be warned – facilities can be fairly basic. Think Glastonbury without the posh bits.
Well before the competition starts, the organisers and volunteers set up the hovering box. This is the area over which all marked flying takes place. The box consists of a 1 metre square central landing pad with 2 flags or markers, 5 metres to either side. The judge’s stations are set up 15 metres behind this, with the pilot’s station to one side, to allow the judges a clear view of the box.
The judges can be anyone who holds the relevant BMFA certificate – who in turn can be anyone who applies for it. Bearing in mind the BMFA tests are free, lots of club pilots also judge their friends’ RC helicopters – and vice versa. Without enough judges, the competition cannot go ahead, as there must be a minimum of 3 judges for each round.
You can rest assured that, if you can set up, take down and judge RC helicopters for competitions, there will always be a few drinks waiting in the beer tent afterwards.