Associate Vice President (AVP) Dave Wenzel submitted the following report:
Although we have not been completely shut out by winter weather, it’s a new year and I’m back on the path for things of interest. I went to Jacksonville, Florida, for the King Orange International contest. This was a Control Line Aerobatics event that was well attended.
Saturday was Old-Time Stunt (OTS), Profile, and Classic. I was judging again, the weather was not a factor, and many good flights were put up. Sunday––PAMPA Day––however was completely different. Hard rain, heavy winds, and gusts greeted those who showed up. When it was over, Steve Fitton captured the Expert class and the Perpetual Trophy.
The following report was provided by Contest Director (CD) and AVP Andrew Griffith.
District V has some of the biggest and best events in the country—Joe Nall Week, the Southeast Electric Flight Festival, the 3D Bowl, and many others. One of those events is the largest club helicopter fly-in in the country hosted by The Orlando Radio Control Helicopter Society (TORCHS), an all helicopter club located outside of Orlando, Florida, in the city of Ocoee.
With fair weather and plenty of nearby attractions for family members, the Orlando Helicopter Blowout attracts a lot of pilots from across the country and even has international visitors. This was the eighth year for the Orlando Helicopter Blowout. There was outstanding attendance with more than 300 pilots making the annual pilgrimage south.
Many TORCHS members work hard to make the event a success, but the proverbial “herding of the cats” is done each year by CD Carey Shirley and Pilot Coordinator Bert Kammerer.
Bert rounds up big names in the RC helicopter world to attend, including former Extreme Flight Championship winners Kyle Dahl, Kyle Stacy, Bobby Watts, JC Zankl, and a host of team pilots and reps.
International visitors included Nik Johnson who flew in from England, and pilot Dunkan Bossian made the trip from France! Lucien Miller, from Inov8tive Designs, came from California with his line of Scorpion motors and products.
Clint Akins and Steve Rogers, from Castle Creations, were there providing support and setup help for Castle speed controllers.
In addition, this year MultiGP hosted its national championship FPV quadcopter race on-site. Shaun Taylor came away with the gold and an all-expense-paid trip to Las Vegas
