European F3C 2004 Championships, my photographs of this event will appear very shortly here at RC-Heli.com. This will include all the top 10 pilots, with special Hirobo gallery and champion gallery. See 3d Masters for example of my lifestyle helicopter photography.

3d Masters 2005 . . .
I'm finally was sorted, with regards the new photography business and medical recovery, to properly work towards 2005 entry. Diary of progress will be running on www.funky3d.com - starting soon. However a recent (all of December and January) rush of photography side work has delayed helicopter fun.

3d Masters 2004 . . .
Even better than last year. The overall flying standard definately went up a couple of notches. Pictures are coming shortly. In the meantine enjoy 2003 photographs, or a small taster of 2004. Expect to see more in the next issue of RotorWorld magazine - which I am a contributor for - both articles and photography.

3d Masters 2003
What a weekend. The competition flights were spectacular, but the evening demo's with night flying and a threesome were something else to behold. See some great pictures of the 3d Masters 2003 here. .

Learning to Fly RC Helicopters
Our learn to fly section is really taking shape, with more steps beings added each week. Now includes the learn to 3d guide. Also we are starting a list of World Wide RC Training Schools, if you wish to be included please send us your details.

Check-out
The top areas of the site currently are; F3C, 3D, Hampshire Clubs, Learn to fly and Raptor (under helicopters). With the next areas to be expanded being; Raptor V2 review, Robbe Cuatro, Webra 91 AAR, Futaba FF9c and Futaba 9ZHP reviews being added. And look at the new Sceadu 50 3d, looks awesome.

F3C World Championships 2003
Our original site, showing the full history of the Radio Control Model Helicopter F3C World Championships is now hosted within a section of rc-heli.com. You can use the F3C link on the menu. The history section and 1999 F3C Coverage section are well worth reading. Also the 1985 F3C Worlds History Review, with Mr. Shigetada Taya winning, whom later went on to design the Kyosho Concept, Space Baron and Raptor.

3d Masters
Check our 3d section, which includes my views on the top three in the 3d masters. This event was a great success, and the best helicopter compeition I have ever seen. It makes me want to go to the IAM in Japan 2003. Anyone else who is interested in making such a trip, can contact me at the email address below. If you use the link below to www.skylarkmeadows.com you will see two motorcycle tours - but the heli's come first.

Rator 30 USA Canopy
Do check out the Raptor link, it's got a shot of a USA colour scheme - with details of supplier and pricing information. Darren, a local modeller supplied the picture, he was more than happy with the result. He's only had the Raptor a few weeks (bought the Monday after 3d Masters) - it must have inspired him ;-)

Hampshire Helicopter Pilots
I am happy to help with setup or flying questions, and am active around Basingstoke, Beaulieu and Fareham regions, flying from various sites.

Link to RC-Heli.com
We welcome other sites linking to us, to make it easier we have a page with dedicated graphics and text. If copied they will link back to images on our site, which we will always maintain with the same name and size, although our logo is evolving in the hands of an artisit.

Site Navigation Tip
Use the darker links on the left hand menu to access the newest content.

New Photography Web Sites
Check out the new Lifestyle Portrait and Wedding Photography websites covering Hampshire. You can find them at Solent Studio and Kevin Boulden. Following training from none other than Annabel Williams, this may be the future for an old IT has been who's diagnosed as unable to use keyboard for more than 5 minutes every hour. Also checkout Contemporary Wedding Photography and Contemporary Lifestyle Photography. Within the UK these two sites can be found at these addresses Contemporary Wedding Photography and Contemporary Lifestyle Photography. They specialise in modern contemporary portrait and wedding photography done to the highest standards.

Medical News - update
I started my own photography business in September 2003. No boring studio stuff with those nasty brown backgrounds. All outdoors or clients own spaces. The arm is continually - but gradually - improving since my operation, but the hand is still causing trouble but at least has stopped worsening. The experts quoted me 12 to 18 months to fully recover from the elbow op - although the hand remains undiagnosed by the experts - however I now know exactly what led to it. The arm does look a lot better now.

Emergency autorotation landing under Golden Gate bridge, check out the pictures and news story.

The 'other' site is up and running. Later on in the year, probably before the 3d Masters, the third site will open - to complete the trilogy.

The learn to 3d article is online. Soon I hope to bring you an article reviewing the Futaba 9Z 1024 WC2, and will compare to the JR PCM 10. This will include the latest digital servo's the 9252/9350, GV1 govenor and the GY601 gyro. Keep the emails coming with further suggestions for the sites. We also welcome content, reviews, information, tips, events, clubs etc.

Note from the editor . . .
www.RC-Heli.com is a new website (opened 30/07/02), dedicated to Radio Control Model Helicopter flying and all things associated. The big buzz word for a while now has been 3d, well a new one is coming, Artistic Aerobatics. You will be seeing and hearing a lot more about this in the coming months, with rc-heli.com planning extensive internet coverage. Artisitic Aerobatics will be getting the type of media coverage the x-games have grabbed over the last 5 years. Any one who read my July 1999 AHA Newletter will know how impressed I was with the x-games format. These are indeed exciting times for both the hobby and rc-heli.com.

Anyone interested in contributing, is welcome to contact me - full credit will be given. I'll even offer you your own email address at rc-heli.com, which will forward to an account of your choice. I would particularly welcome reviews, scale information, as well as building tips through to events, clubs and latest projects.

You can contact me at info@rc-heli.com - I look forward to hearing from you. Feel free to email me any questions you may have, whether about the site or hobby in general. Remember don't be shy, your input helps - good or bad, I'd like to hear your comments.