2011 XFC, USA

Futaba 2011 XFC (Extreme flight championship), was my last event during my 2011 summer visit to the USA. This event has a long history and was started in 2002 by Mr. Frank Noll and supported by Futaba RC equipment suppliers.

XFC is unique for several reasons; firstly this event combines RC helicopters and airplanes, two very different classes of RC models. Secondly it is the only freestyle competition in the world that includes some mandatory pattern manoeuvres. Both airplane and helicopter pilots have to create two four minute routines, one is called known and second one unknown. The known sequences have to include 3 mandatory manoeuvres integrated into a 4 minute freestyle routine. In the past organizers selected manoeuvres and provided them to participants several months before the competition.

This year’s event was very different. The organizers allowed participants to suggest manoeuvres they liked with more difficult elements scoring higher points and pilots being allowed to show off their skills by performing some new and crazy manoeuvres. This process of selecting mandatory manoeuvres reminds me of the selection of unknown manoeuvres in F3A World or continental championship finals. Known manoeuvres are selected by the organizers, and we start to practice them as early as possible. This short intro should give you an idea about how XFC has evolved.

XFC is an invitational competition, so only a limited number of top pilots are invited to represent their country and battle for the champions title. Many of the world’s top RC pilots like Queque Somenzini, Chip Hyde, Mark Leseberg, Gernot Bruckmann, Jason Noll, John Glezellis, Alan Szabo, Curtis Youngblood and Dominik Haegele have participated in XFC at some point. 2011 XFC was held in Muncie, Indiana. Muncie field is where AMA headquarters

are located plus it is the home of a very large aero modelling museum. The airfield is also used for all the USA national championships and was used to stage this years F3A world championship. This airfield is simply stunning! It is hard to describe how good it is, just let’s say it is a pilots dream to fly in such a place of beauty and vast size.

This year pilots from ten countries (France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Austria, Lithuania, Belarus, Great Britain and Slovenia) were competing in IITOP 2012 competition. Fact that this competition is really popular between European pilots can be confirmed by registration time, to fill all available empty spots took less than two weeks.

The 2011 Futaba XFC was a really great experience for me. I learned several new things and have some very good memories from this trip. Before going to this competition I heard rumours that the competition could be unfair with the Futaba pilots having more chances to win. Well, from what I saw and experienced in 2011, I can assure you that this is indeed only rumours!

This year’s winner Seth Arnold is a Horizon Hobby team member, as was last year’s winner, John Glezellis. In the past Jason Noll won the XFC champions title 3 times, one of them flying for Horizon Hobby. I think the most important is to read the rules and fly according to them.

Jason Noll was very good in this area. He flew to the criteria that the judges were looking for. Young pilots must understand that hardcore 3D flying, inches from ground will not win this contest. Actually quite the opposite! If your plane touches the ground during the competition flight, the whole round will be evaluated as 0 points. The XFC winning routine must be a mix of good music/IMAC/3D and originality. It is definitely worth putting in some extra effort and doing your best to create such a routine.

Pilots in XFC battle, not only for the fame of being champion but also for monetary prizes. The Futaba team does an amazing job organising massive raffles and attracting many sponsors. All the money raised goes to the pilots. This year all the finalists received cash prizes: first place winner received 5000 usd, second 3000 usd, third 1500 usd, and so on.

It was good to see Mr. Bob Sadler doing his job again in XFC. Bob is very interesting and a well-known man in the RC world.  His fun comments and jokes kept the crowd entertained during the entire weekend. Personally I’m looking forward to my next XFC experience, as are many other pilots. If you have an opportunity to visit XFC as a pilot or spectator, I would highly recommend you do so. Next year will be the 10 year anniversary for XFC and I’m sure Mr Frank Noll and his team will make it big and unforgettable!

Jason Noll was very good in this area. He flew to the criteria that the judges were looking for. Young pilots must understand that hardcore 3D flying, inches from ground will not win this contest. Actually quite the opposite! If your plane touches the ground during the competition flight, the whole round will be evaluated as 0 points. The XFC winning routine must be a mix of good music/IMAC/3D and originality. It is definitely worth putting in some extra effort and doing your best to create such a routine.

Pilots in XFC battle, not only for the fame of being champion but also for monetary prizes. The Futaba team does an amazing job organising massive raffles and attracting many sponsors. All the money raised goes to the pilots. This year all the finalists received cash prizes: first place winner received 5000 usd, second 3000 usd, third 1500 usd, and so on.

Futaba 2011 XFC Results