Helicopter skill competition type thing

[tegwin]

Im sure a couple of years ago I saw some photos of a load of R-22s competing in some kind of precision hover tournament type event with various challenges etc...The photo I remeber was an r-22 with 2POB hovering over some white poles dropping coloured rings over the posts...

If they still do such events in todays H&S infested society, does anyone know where these events take place etc (UK-only though) ?


Might be quite good fun to go and watch, or even take part:E...nothing like a good challenge

[Bravo73]

It sounds like the British Helicopter Championships (http://www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk/helicopterchampionships.php).

There is bound to be a thread about it somewhere on here. Aha: http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=177958





PS An R22 with 2 POB hovering at 30-40ft? No thanks! :ouch:

[helicfii]

I heard that the Russians have a dedicated team that practice year 'round for that competition. Is it true? :8

[Bravo73]

The Russians are more likely to be training for the World Helicopter Championships. ;)

Lots of countries have dedicated teams (the UK included.) How much they get to practice during the year is, of course, down to budgets and funding.

[oldbeefer]

I went to the World Heli Champs a few years ago - I was able (in the military) to get about 5 hours practice. The American team were selected from several hundred pilots - they then spent 6 months at Fort Rucker practicing! They refused to socialise during the event (unlike the rest of us), but they won by a significant margin!

[tegwin]

That looks like the one...

Looks totaly awsome, would love to be able to compete in something like that, good experience and a chance to meet some other loonies. The bank ballance says otherwise though.....


Might have to try and persuade my flying club to organise a mini event just for fun....or organise it myself....:hmm: Now theres an idea...

[gsa]

I went to the World Heli Champs a few years ago

What year? 86 was the one I did and found the same. The US sent a Huey to recce the site and landed it on the cricket crease which caused a lot of grief.

John

[oldbeefer]

What year? 86 was the one I did and found the same. The US sent a Huey to recce the site and landed it on the cricket crease which caused a lot of grief.

John

It was late '80s or early '90s - flown at Chantilly near Paris. Russians came second and the brits third. Apart from the rather reclusive Yanks, the rest were a very sociable bunch. Remember trying to negociate the purchase of a Mil 2 for a Brit who spoke no Russian with a Russian who spoke French. Not sure if the deal went through, but they were going to hand it over at 'The Wall' in Berlin!

[cyclicmicky]

The championships are at Calcot Manor this year, on 18th to 20th July.
For more information on the british entry for the world champs in august here is the British Helicopter Team website address.

http://www.britishhelicopterteam.co.uk

[THM]

Most countries hold National Championships each year including the
Helicopter Club of Great Britain. National events in Europe have an
open class which allows for non club members to compete.

The 2008 British Championship is 18th to 20th July near Tetbury, for
full information and entry requirements contact Jeremy James the HCGB
secretary: [email protected]

World Championship takes place every three years and the next one is
in Eisenach, Germany 13th to 16th August. Competitors from GB, Russia,
France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Ukraine, Belarus and
possibly USA will be taking part.

All International events are run under FAI rules which can be found at
http://www.fai.org/rotorcraft/

British Team website: http://www.britishhelicopterteam.co.uk/
HCGB – www.hcgb.co.uk
French Helicopter Club - www.helico.org
German Helicopter Club - www.deutscher-hubschrauberclub.de
Swiss Helicopter Club - www.swissheli.ch
Russian Helicopter Team - www.hoplite.ru/main.html

Russians are suffering the same as everyone with lack of funding but
are still strong contenders. Current Ladies Champions are British and
current overall World Champions are Russian.

Things have changed a lot since 1986, including rules and events.
Americans have not been in attendance in such numbers since and most
competitors in the World events are now civilians.

Tegwin – Not sure ‘loonies’ is an apt description of a lot of
committed competitors who practice as much as possible and are very
committed to a safe and enjoyable sport.

Join the HCGB come along and see for your self its good fun on and off
the competition field, you don’t just have to compete judges are just
as an important element of any National or International event.