Bumpy Green Heads North - For the
RCM&E Freestyle Championships 2004

Setting out early on Sunday morning we ventured North to Knebworth Model Flying Club based at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire, historic home of the Lytton family since 1490. With the sun rising into a windless and clear blue sky, by 10am it was time to apply the sun cream. One of England's most beloved stately homes, Knebworth House is famous worldwide for its rock concerts and as the home of Victorian novelist Edward Bulwer Lytton - author of the words "The pen is mightier than the sword" - this beautiful gothic mansion is situated 29 miles north of London off the A1(M) at Stevenage. The site features the main family house, the original red brick Tudor house, fabulous gardens, country park, adventure playground, conference centre and St Marys church which dates back to 1120AD. Knebworth has had such distinguished guests as Charles Dickens and Sir Winston Churchill, has hosted rock concerts for performers like Pink Floyd, Queen and Robbie Williams and for film buffs was used as Wayne Manor in the 1989 film Batman.

The Freestyle Championship is the brainchild of former British Aerobatic champion Terry Westrop, who wanted to start a competition that, through a lack of restrictive rules and regulations about model types and permissible manoeuvres, would encourage experienced and inexperienced club flyers alike to have a go. The event is also sponsored by RCM&E magazine and features Unlimited and Advanced sections. The event was judged by three top F3A pilots those being Andy Nicholls, Pete Brett and Bob Ailles who just before the Freestyle event was judging the F3A Championships in Portugal. The scoring was fully computerised with printed score sheets and running totals displayed on the score board in the spectator enclosure. Also for the first time there was a burger van selling hot food and cold drinks - most welcome as it was a real belter of a sunny day. Judges Andy, Pete and Bob basking in the glorious sunshine. Visit the British Freestyle Aerobatic Championships website for more details and history: www.zen33329.zen.co.uk

The competition was broken down into two sections Advanced and Unlimited (formerly Sport and Advanced) with each competitor in both classes carrying out three 4 minute flights. The first flight was a fixed program of manoeuvres, new for this year. The second flight was of the pilots own composition and flown to their own choice of music. The final flight again pilots own composition but without music. The fixed schedule was comprised of the following manoeuvres for each class. Advanced: ¼ - ¼ rebound vertical roll up, flat top, multi turn flat, (optional), spin down, exit into wind inverted 45 line up with 2/4-point roll, outside or inside turn down same 45 line with snaps or rolls to upright. 2/4-point to inverted 2/3 loop, (rolls optional), to knife-edge on the 45 down line, multiple snaps, (or rolls), to positive. ¼ roll to knife-edge circle, (rolls optional), finish in knife-edge, ¼ or ¾ roll back to positive. ¼ vertical roll up, B axis, ¼ roll down. Exit upright. Rebound roll ¼ vertical roll, ST to 45 line with ¾ or 1 ¼ roll, (or snaps) ¼ vertical roll, ST to knife-edge, snaps to knife-edge, ¾ or 1 ¼ roll out Unlimited: ¼ - ¾ rebound vertical roll up, flat top, multi turn flat, (optional), spin down, exit into wind inverted 45 line up with ¾ roll, single snap, knife-edge 45-turn with ¾ or 1 ¼ roll down, (or snaps), exit downwind inverted. 2/4-point roll to upright, ½ roll back to inverted 2/3 rolling loop to knife-edge on the 45 down line, multiple snaps to positive. ¼ roll to knife-edge rolling circle back to knife-edge, ¼ or ¾ roll back to positive. ¾ point vertical roll up, B axis, ¼ roll down. Exit upright. Rebound roll ¼ vertical roll, one snap up, ST to 45 line with ¾ or 1 ¼ roll, (or snaps) ¼ vertical roll ST to knife edge, snaps to knife edge, ¾ or 1 ¼ roll out All competitors completed the fixed schedule with pilots flying a variety of models. Most numerous were the Capiche models, the 140EX being the choice of many pilots.

Having completed the fixed schedule everyone was able to perform a sequence to their own set music. Nathan Farrel Jones opened the bidding for the Unlimited class and flew his Capiche 140EX festooned with Carbon Copy upgrade parts to Queens I want to break free, doing a fantastic job of timing the manoeuvres with the beats of the music. Ali Machinchy (2002 & 2003 Freestyle champion) flew his 40% Yak to great effect, A.J. White after initial starting problems got into the air with his Majestic. Next up was Dave Stephens with an electric powered Capiche 140EX - very impressive and very very quiet. Luke Shaw followed with his Capiche 140, then Dean Brain with his Global Freestyle. Final flight was by Paul Skinner (2001 Freestyle Champion) performed a great routine to Eve of the war from War of the Worlds.

Andrew Maker started first in the Advanced with his Capiche 50 followed by Gary harris with his Adrenaline. Brothers Adam and Kane Woodley both flying Capiche 140EX's were next and both performed excellent sets, even more impressive due to the fact they are aged 13 and 14 respectively. Paul Camilleri flew his Synergy 90 next but had the engine cut just after take of and the hard landing caused significant damage to the undercarriage bearers. Looking forward to a long stint in the pits Ali Machinchy stepped in and leant Paul his Adrenaline to complete the section. Nathan Rawlins flew last again flying an Adrenaline. All flights were completed in good time and again a wide variety of popular music was used during the routines.

A.J. White flew his Majestic during the competition but also enthralled the crowds during the intermission with a display using the Dave Patrick Models Edge 540, a superb scale aerobatic machine. A.J. has been flying for many years and is often seen regularly flying at shows around the country.

The Edge 540T from Dave Patrick Models is an ARTF unlimited aerobatic machine. Specifications: Wing Span: 79 in. Wing Loading: 23 to 28 ounces per square foot Wing Area: 1,200 sq in. Length: 76.25 in. Weight: 12.6-15 lbs. Engine: 1.20-1.80 glow or 24 to 35cc petrol Radio: 4 channel + Features include: double bevelled aileron and elevators, heavy duty engine mounting, adjustable stab for the tailplane hand built in jigs to provide an accurate airframe every time, pre covered and hand painted schemes available. Other options include ultra tailwheel assemblies and dual aileron servo mounts for extra control.

Luke Shaw was one of many who used the very popular Capiche 140EX to great effect during the competition. Distributed by Island hobbies Luke's is powered by a YS 140L engine and is coupled with large number of Carbon upgraded parts from Carbon Copy.

Dave Stephens winner of the first RCM&E Freestyle Championships in 2000 flew two Capiche 140's during the contest, one was YS140 powered and one powered by a Hacker C5013XL with a 6.7:1 gearbox driving a 22 x14 prop and running 2 x 5s2p 4400mAh Lithium Polymer packs. This plane performs superbly and was so quiet it could barely be heard during the flight.

Ali Machinchy Jnr is well known both in competition and show flying circles and has numerous accolades under his belt including World Jet Masters and RCM&E Freestyle champion for the past two years running. Flying a combination of his own designed Adrenaline and the huge 40% Yak from composite ARF which he has used to enchant crowds at many shows this season. Ali's comment on the Yak was ''good job I am short, it makes the plane look even bigger'' Ali showed however he is not short on skill or generosity as he allowed two other competitors to use his Adrenaline model to compete throughout the competition. What a gentleman!

Brothers Kane and Adam Woodley flew both Capiche 140EX's and Synergy 90's during the competition to great effect. Supported by their father who acted as pit crew and driver to the brothers, they both fly with the Phoenix Model Flying Club and this is their first year of competitions. Bumpy Green wishes them the best of luck for the future and I am sure you will be seeing much more of both these fine pilots in competitions for years to come.

Paul Camilleri did a fantastic job of flying and even more amazing he finished the competition using an Adrenaline loaned to him by Ali Machinchy after the engine in his Synergy 90 cut right after take off and caused unavoidable but extensive damage to the undercarriage mountings. Definitely one to watch out for in future competitions.

Nathan Rawlins, 2003 Freestyle Champion is an up and coming star in the model show and competition flying circuit. He has flown for a number of years both in Britain and around the world and flies everything from a humble ARTF Cap to huge gas turbine powered F-15 jets.

Paul Skinner won the Freestyle competition in 2001 and had a very good day this year flying his Synergy 90 3D. Paul has flown in numerous competitions and is no stranger at Bumpy Green having test flown a number of planes for us and was the featured pilot for one of our promotional videos some years ago.

Several years ago, Model Designer Malcolm Corbin was asked by RCM&E to produce a small .25 sized sports aerobatic plane for a free plan feature. The Capiche was born. Years later the Capiche 50 and 140 size models now dominate the 3D and Freestyle events and are flown by a vast number of people.

Capiche dominates the 2004 Freestyle Championships as the weapon of choice.

With the flying over and most of the models safely stowed in vehicles, people began congregating around the competition control tent. Anxious to hear the final results Paul Camilleri won the Advanced section to scoop up an engraved trophy and an armful of prizes. We look forward to seeing more of this young mans flying at future events. Paul Camilleri takes the title. Advanced Champion 2004 Ali Machinchy has been the RCM&E freestyle champion for the last 2 years running and is crowned 2004 Champion making him 3 times champion. A brief debate followed regarding the trophy as the usual custom if for a triple winner to keep the competition trophy. Ali Machinchy wins again. Unlimited Champion 2004 Will we see a new trophy for the 2005 event? Will Ali have to return the sacred propeller? Find out next year at the RCM&E Freestyle Championships. A huge well done to both winners and everybody who competed. We look forward to seeing you all during next season. Full results published in the December edition of RCM&E available from W.H.Smiths and all good newsagents from 12th November 2004. To subscribe visit RCM&E Online here

Article by John Kent from Bumpy Green Model Aerodrome
September 2004

Comment by Adam Woodley on 20040928190048. Rating 5

great report but you made a mistake my brother kane is only 14

Comment by Bumpy Green on 20040928202551. Rating 5

Thanks Adam, the mistake has been corrected. :-)

Comment by Peter-Island Hobbies on 20041002130854. Rating 5

Great summary of the event - well done... We shall get a link to this site on the flycapiche.co.uk website and a mention in the next flycapiche newsletter.... incidentally - can we borrow some of your photos for our site??

Comment by Luke Shaw on 20041007222758. Rating 4

Just nitpicking, but Nathan Farrel jones actually flew his emhw funtana and not my capiche 140ex in the music round. cheers Luke

Comment by Bumpy Green on 20041008233604. Rating 5

More apologies for Luke for another mistake (most unlike me) however, in my defence I was just writing down what the commentator was saying most of the time. :-)

Comment by Andrew Maker on 20041222150409. Rating 4

Hi good report but you havent said a word about me and i came 2nd in the advanced by 6 points. theres not even a picture why?

Comment by Adam Woodley on 20050316114634. Rating 5

awwwww,adrew dont feel bad,lol

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