With the 2010 XFC known maneuvers being released today, I figured what better time to post a funny XFC practice video from last year. Thanks goes out to my friend Drew Saunders for catching this moment on video. I have to laugh everytime I watch it, the comments made by my fellow hobbyists are priceless! Check it out!

For those of you interested, here are the known maneuvers for XFC 2010. Each of these maneuvers must be performed at any time during the pilots known, four minute routine. Generally these maneuvers will take 30-45 seconds each. The rest of the routine is choreographed freestyle.

(1) Pirouetting-Vertical figure of eight with reverse of pirouette direction at each ½ loop

The pilot may enter the maneuver flying either form the left or the right. From level upright flight the pilot will start pirouetting once the helicopter reaches a point just in front of the pilot, the helicopter must continue pirouetting as the pilot executes the first half of an inside loop.
Once the helicopter reaches the point in the loop (at the top) directly in front of the pilot, the direction of the pirouette must change as the helicopter begins to ascend for the first half of the outside loop.
At the top of the outside loop as the helicopter reaches a point in front of the pilot the helicopter must switch pirouette direction again, for the second half of the outside loop.
At the conclusion of the outside loop the helicopter must change pirouette direction again and complete the second half of the inside loop exiting upright and level.

**The helicopter must exit at the same attitude as the entry and both loops must be equal in size, round in shape, and be centered against the pilot.

(2) Rolling-circle with change of roll direction and forward to backward flying orientation at the ½ circle point

The pilot enters the maneuver flying either form the left or the right. From level upright flight the pilot will start rolling (either direction). Once the helicopter reaches a point just in front of the pilot, the helicopter must continue rolling as the pilot executes the first half of the rolling circle.
Once the helicopter reaches the point in the circle directly in front of the pilot (180 degrees) the direction of the roll must change, and the forward/backward flying direction must change as the helicopter begins the second half of the rolling circle. The circle must be at a consistent altitude, round in shape and centered in front of the pilot.

(3) Piro-Tumbling Loop

The pilot enters the maneuver flying from the left or right. From level upright flight the pilot will start piro-flipping once the helicopter reaches a point just in front of the pilot. The helicopter must continue piro-flipping as the pilot executes the loop once the helicopter completes the loop the helicopter should exit at the same attitude as the entry. The loop must round in shape, and be centered in front of the pilot.

We finally got some decent weather here in the south so I decided to take the N5 out for a little motor tuning and a bit of a beating to knock the dust off. I have to admit, over the last few years I’ve focused on a more smooth, fast, and precise style of flying but, ever since I started flying with the Futaba 8FG Transmitter I feel like my fingers are on some sort of ultra connected speed steroid. It is truly amazing! I also decided to try some new cyclic servos this year, the Futaba BLS252. These servos are labeled an “F3C Heli Servo” because of their excellent centering capabilities, but don’t let the description fool you! These servos are very capable of a quick, snappy,  smack-down style of flying if that’s what you desire. At 6 volts they pump out 175 oz-in. of torque at a respectable .13sec/60°. Hope you enjoy the video! As far as an update on Synergy Hong Kong, Chinese New Year is almost over, we will know more about the N5 release date after that.

For the past three years I have been flying the Futaba 12Z transmitter and have been very happy with it, you couldn’t ask for more in a radio unless you like a lot of bells and whistles such as MP3 players and touch screens. In 2010 I am going with what I like to refer as the “sleeper” radio, the Futaba 8FG is a budget priced radio that has all of the must have programming features such as swash detail, program mixes, and a blazing fast response time of 7ms when coupled with the R6008HS Rx in high speed mode. I may be wrong but I think 7ms is the fastest response time on the market right now. Remember the days of 90ms response times? After flying models close to realtime, I could never go back! You’ re familiar with the ease of navigation on your IPOD right? Well now that same sensor touch pad is integrated into the 8FG so that you can navigate quickly through the programming menus. The 8FG also has an SD card slot for additional model storage and ease of updating the transmitter. You night flyers out there will enjoy the adjustable backlit LCD screen, I know there have been dozens of times when I needed flashlight assistance while trying to make a quick programming change on a dark flight line!  Last but not least the radio balances nicely when using a neck strap so there is no need to install aftermarket balancing hardware. Great job Futaba!!