The annual IRCHA Jamboree is the largest gathering of RC helicopter pilots in the world. This year was the 20th anniversary of the event, held as usual at the AMA National Flying Site in Muncie, Indiana.
Updated August 22nd: Check out our HD video coverage of the show:
This year had the highest attendance in the show’s history. With 951 registered pilots as of the Saturday night raffle, I believe IRCHA 2009 takes the record as the largest radio control event of any kind.
The main flying site had 10 pilot stations, each set up for a 200 foot wide box. These were in continuous use during Friday and Saturday, with a few helis waiting in line behind the current pilot. Sunday is the best time to fly, as most people are packing up or have left already. There was also a second site for beginners and hover practice, with a shuttle running between them.
The show is a great chance to meet people from the forums and to make new friends. Everyone was friendly and willing to lend each other tools, electric power, or whatever help was needed. Spare parts were easy to find for most models for the inevitable crashes.
IRCHA is also a big show for vendors, who typically announce new products and show previews of what’s to come. Curtis Youngblood had a prototype of the Total G flybarless system. This tiny, all-in-one unit contains a three axis gyroscope and a governor. It also accepts up to three Spektrum satellite receivers, eliminating the need for a main receiver. Interestingly, the governor can also be used on electric helis, by mounting the magnet and sensor on the main gear as usual. The price and shipping date were not yet announced.
Continuing the flybarless trend, the Mikado Mini VBar and the new Rondo unit were on display. All three units can be programmed in the field with a small, hand-held LCD controller (each company sells a proprietary unit). I heard that Skookum is working on a three axis unit as well but didn’t get to see it in person. Look for prices to begin dropping as the competition increases.
Castle Creations was showing the new BEC Pro and ICE speed controllers, all of which are now shipping. They also had prototypes of the upcoming 160 and 200 amp ICE ESCs on display. Steve Neu, whose motors are distributed by Castle, is now moving into chargers. He was showing the NeuEnergy X10, a 10S LiPo charger capable of 300 watts, with a built-in balancer. There was also an X6+ model, for 6S LiPo with balancing and an internal AC power supply.
Futaba unveiled a new transmitter at IRCHA, the 8FG. It’s an integrated 2.4 GHz unit featuring 8 channels and a backlit screen. The most distinctive feature is a new control wheel reminiscent of an iPod, with no moving parts. It acts as five different buttons if you tap it, and as a wheel by sliding your finger in a circle. The middle button is confusingly named “RTN”, as it acts as an Enter button, but other than that navigation was easy. The case styling is noticeably more modern than other radios in the line, and there are no visible screws on the front panel, indicating a more sophisticated industrial design. Lastly, the 8FG accepts an SD memory card for additional model memories, and more importantly, the possibility of user firmware updates. The radio will ship with an eight channel receiver in the next month or so.
Perhaps even bigger news was the introduction (finally!) of an affordable 6 channel 2.4 GHz receiver with standard-size servo connectors. The Futaba R6106 will be available in two versions. The park flyer version has a short stub antenna like the older R616FFM unit. The R6106RFC is being touted as a mid range receiver, and has one long antenna, similar to the R617FS. Futaba says the mid range unit is good to 1500 feet, and is fine in helicopters. Both flavors of the R6106 also contain a second internal antenna, and will be available for around $ 60 USD.
IRCHA is full of other things to do besides flying and looking at new products. Manufacturers set up demo flights at center stage on Friday and Saturday, as seminars were held under the tents. A poker tournament, pilot raffle, autorotation contest, and a drag racing contest kept things interesting. The AMA also has a museum on site.
My personal favorite was the night flying competition held Saturday night, with nine contestants and a top prize of $ 500. I believe these were all sponsored pilots, but they were only announced by number so the crowd couldn’t play favorites. They appeared to hold nothing back from their daytime routines, some doing piro-flips one foot off the ground (which did result in a couple crashes).
The most impressive routine was performed by two Mikado pilots who flew simultaneously with their Logos, doing very close high speed passes. At one point they climbed to several hundred feet and both helis went dark together, causing the crowd to gasp. The lights came back on, cycling through colors and blinking in perfect synchronization. I found out later they used a third transmitter and a second receiver on each heli for the lights. They made it to the final round but sadly crashed in their second flight. Nick Maxwell was the eventual winner, and fireworks followed the competition.
IRCHA is really something to experience. It was hot, and far, and tiring, but completely worth it. Consider the event a pilgrimage for all helicopter pilots to make at least once. Just don’t forget your sunscreen.
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