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United States FAI Teams

F5D

On September 28, 2013 the US F5D (electric pylon racing) team trials were held at the SEFSD (Silent Electric Flyers of San Diego) flying site in San Diego, CA. Though F5D is quite popular in European countries, it hasn’t enjoyed quite the same level of interest here in the States – unlike the 2012 WC in Romania where Bruce Brown was the sole US representative, it is encouraging that the US will field a full 3-man team for 2014 including team manager Steve Manganelli who brings experience in international travel and competition to the table (and will also manage the F5B team at the same date and venue as F5D).

The 2014 team will be an interesting mix of experience and enthusiasm! Bruce Brown (San Diego, CA) has clearly demonstrated that his past F5D experience makes him the “top dog” on the US team. At the trials, unknown rookie Tim Lampe (Champaign, IL) seemed to impress with his consistency and smooth flying while last-second entry Doug Ahlshlager (Seattle, WA) also opened some eyes with his aggressive style. Though both Tim and Doug have limited pylon racing experience, they still bring years of experience in other RC disciplines to the table in addition to their gratitude, US pride and sheer enthusiasm. All hope to use the 2014 WC as a building block to future endeavors on this world-wide stage.

The 2014 F5D World Championships will be held August 23 – 29 in Turnau, Austria with an open, warm-up race the days prior. For those unfamiliar with this somewhat obscure class of pylon racing, F5D specifications are as follows:

Minimum weight ready-to-fly: 1,000g [35 oz]
Maximum surface loading (wing & stab): 65 g/dm2 [21.3 oz/sq ft]
Minimum weight of battery pack: 200g [7 oz]
Maximum weight of battery pack: 400g [14.1 oz] (Up to 5S battery)

Limitation of energy by an electronic limiter that stops the motor: max 1000 watt-min.
Typical F5D airframes are approximately 55” in span made from composites of Kevlar and carbon fiber reaching speeds of approximately 160mph on a 590’ course (from the baseline to turn 1). Some run direct drive with props approximately 5” in diameter, but gear drives with 9” diameter props are becoming popular. Commendable race times are in the 55 – 60 second range over the 10-lap duration. As F5D is somewhat obscure, one of the best sources of information is in the discussion threads in the High Performance forum on RC Groups:

http://www.rcrgroups.com/high-performance-9/

Links to specific discussion threads on popular F5D race planes and motor/race prep:

Avionik D05/

StratAir Viper/

Jolt/

Link to Tim Lampe's blog about F5D team trials in San Diego:

Tim Lampe's F5D Team Trials Blog

Link to Tim Lampe's article on his F5D World Championship experience:

Tim Lampe's World Championship Experience

Link to the photo gallery for the F5D World Championship:

2014 F5D WC Photo Gallery

Regards,
Team USA F5D

2014 U.S. F5D Team

Pilot Bruce Brown - San Diego, CA

Bruce Brown

Biography:

I began Pylon racing with several seasons of Quickie 500 in the early 1980's. In 1984 I joined the NMPRA and raced Formula One full time until 1991. I raced unlimited giant scale with QSRAA and USRA from 1992 to 2001 having a long run of top five finishes.

I have been competing in the F5D Team Trials since 2004. In 2010 I was alternate member and competed in open event Muncie, Indiana. In 2012 I was a team member and competed in the Buzau, Romania - World Championships.

Now with the most competitive package to date I finished in 1st place at the U.S. F5D 2013 team trials with a fast time of 57.52, averaging 60 seconds for ten rounds. I am proud to represent the U.S. as part of the U.S. team in the F5D World Champs 2014 in Turnau, Austria.

 

Pilot Tim Lampe - Champaign, IL

Tim Lampe

Biography:

Being a member of the 2014 USA F5D team has been a dream come true for me. Although I’ve dabbled in many facets of radio control including IMAC, scale, sailplanes and helicopters (and a 6-year stint at Rider’s Hobby shop in Ann Arbor, MI), I didn’t catch the pylon racing bug until just a couple of years ago. The development and test flying work I do in the R&D department at Hobbico has exposed me to many different types of airplanes including the Great Planes Rifle which unknowingly to me at the time, set me on my pylon racing path back in 2008. But after a couple of years logging hot laps at my local RC field and learning the “ins” and “outs” of small, fast, composite airplanes I wanted to take it to the next level.

A couple of years ago I put together an all-out F5D racer with the initial intention of just continuing to learn, but with a secret desire to possibly try out for the team. A steep learning curve on the NMPRA EF1 circuit helped immensely – not only by logging laps in a competition environment, but also with many people I’ve met including Dan Kane, Jim Nikodem, Bernie Vanderleest and Randy Smith from Canada who have helped and encouraged me along the way.

I have no illusions about this new endeavor and fully understand the level of competition we’ll be up against, but along with the support and companionship of my wife Wendy, I’ll be able to rely on all the time, effort, expense and anxiety I’ve already put into this first F5D effort to represent the US with pride.

I’m always available to answer questions and talk “F5D” if you want to contact me directly at tim.lampe@hotmail.com

Team Manager Steve Manganelli

Steve Manganelli

Biography:

I’ve been an R/C modeler since 1973 and a career Naval Aerospace Engineer with expertise in aircraft power-generating systems since 1983—how appropriate for the lead of both F5D and F5B electric pylon racing teams! I have been administering and officiating FAI and AMA competitions for the last thirteen years; most recently the 2010 F5B World Championship in Muncie, the 2013 F5B World Cup event in Hawaii and the US National F5D and F5B Team Selection contests for the previous three biannual cycles. Switching from unbiased official to team manager will be a challenge, but I will do my best to help our team straighten up and fly right!

My personal modeling career has plenty of pylon racing in it. In the late 70s I started flying glider pylon at Torrey Pines, California and ISR-style slope glider pylon. In the late 80s I enjoyed various low-key electric pylon competitions as electric power technology evolved from NiCds and brushed motors flying around a small ½-A course, to composite CAD airframes eventually winning a Nat’s trophy for electric pylon in 1994.

Along the way there were occasional adventures where some unsuspecting nitro club decided electrics were too slow challenging us to a race series. One such challenge specified a House-of-Balsa AT-6 powered by a plain-bearing O.S. Max .25 or the equivalent-size Astro 25 Cobalt brushed motor. We competed successfully before they decided the Astro had too much power.

My most recent foray was also a House-of-Balsa AT-6 Speed 400 class where motor and battery choices were open. My Red Devil number 666 with a gear-driven Steve Neu 1105 motor and 2S Lipo was retired undefeated!

Admittedly, I’m known to be not a particularly good sport if I get behind in a race. All in good fun, I employ the patented “Manganelli Maneuver” resulting in arbitrary shortening of the course! I’m also not above swatting the competition with my 72 MHz antenna, or just yelling at them to slow down! Often disgusted, my callers exclaim “If you’re not going to turn when I tell you, what am I doing out here?”

In retrospect, I suppose I’m a better Team Manager than pilot. It will be my privilege to take the highly qualified team of Bruce Brown, Tim Lampe and Doug Ahlshlager to Turnau, Austria to make a fine showing in the F5D Pylon World Championships next summer. Let’s all show our support for these fine gentlemen!

 

2013 U.S. F3D Team

2013 F3D Team

The 2013 USA F3D TEAM has been finalized. The team selection took place in Mulberry, Florida at the end of September 2012. After a 12 round elimination the top three pilots and an alternate were chosen to represent the US in the Netherlands during the month of July 2013. Details for the World Championships can be found here: http://www.wcf3d2013.nl/. The team consists of Randy Bridge, Travis Flynn, Ray Brown, Gary Freeman (alternate), Robert Holik (Caller/Mechanic), and Dan Kane (Team Manager). In 2009, The US team, Richard Verano/Robert Holik, Travis Flynn/Randy Bridge and Gary Freeman/Randy Bridge finished 1st and became the 2009 World Championship Team. In 2007 Randy Bridge stood atop the individual podium and became a World Champion. Travis called for Randy and narrowly missed the top spot by finishing second. This year’s team is very strong and our expectations are high. Please show your support for TEAM USA F3D in 2013. If you have any questions regarding sponsorship or general information, contact Dan Kane at kanedjr@hotmail.com or (847)878-4161

Regards,
Team USA


 

Pilot: Randy Bridge

Randy Bridge

My name is Randy Bridge. I work for Lockheed Martin as an Electrical Technician in the System Testing environment. I’ve lived in Orlando Florida for 10 years. I am originally from central California, and I am 42 years old.

I began flying model airplanes at the age of 11 with my father. I immediately began competing in Pattern contests at 12 years old, and we continued to pursue Pattern flying for about 5 years. I then took many years off from the hobby, only to occasionally sport fly various models.

I began Pylon racing in March of 1997. My dad (Chuck Bridge) is now well known all over the world for his Vortex Quickie 500 design. I was fortunate enough to have won the AMA Nationals Quickie 500 class 5 times (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2006). I also started racing Q40 as well, and I was able to win the AMA Nationals Q40 in 2002 and 2012. Winning the AMA Nationals was always a big dream for me, and it has been a great experience. I was awarded the AMA National Overall Pylon Champion trophy, 6 years in a row (2000-2005), and again in 2012.

I started FAI F3D pylon racing in 2002, and quickly began to understand how difficult F3D can be. I’ve since been fortunate to be on four World Championship teams (2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011). In 2009 the USA F3D team won the Gold medal in Germany, stopping a 12 year drought.

Personally, my biggest achievement thus far, is winning the FAI F3D World Championships in 2007. Travis Flynn and I teamed up and won the Gold medal. We are both very proud of that accomplishment.

2007 World Championship Video
 

Pilot: Travis Flynn

Travis Flynn

My name is Travis Flynn and I am from Burbank, California. I am engaged to Cindy who has traveled with me to many competitions around the world. I work in Hollywood as a colorist assist on Motion Picture films.

My RC involvement started over 20 years ago and I enjoyed fast sport planes almost immediately. Then one weekend I saw a Formula 1 race and thought I have to try that!

I was lucky enough to get involved with three of the best in F1. Team Samurai legend Jim Shinohara gave me one of Dave Shadel's old F1's and Richard Verano took me under his wing to teach me everything he knew. When Jim gave me a Team Samurai shirt I knew I had made it.

More recently I race just about anything I can get my hands on including Q500, Q40, F5D, F3D and Giant Scale. While Q500 and Q40 are the more popular classes in the States I have really enjoyed the opportunities I have had being on many FAI teams starting back in 2004 in F3D and F5D with some of my biggest accomplishments coming in 2007 where Randy Bridge and I finished first and second at the F3D World Championships and in 2009 where I was on the team that won the team gold medal.

This world championships like the last one 2 years ago, means a little something extra special to me. My teammate for many years Fred Burgdorf passed away a few years ago and I never met anybody that enjoyed racing and most especially F3D as much as he did. I know he would be very happy I am on the team again and I know he will be looking down and enjoying the racing.

I am really excited to be on this 2013 team with the best pilots in the world that are also some of my best friends. I want to thank all of the supporters in advance. Without your help we wouldn’t be as solid a team. I feel this is our year to shine and bring the Gold back to the USA.


 

Pilot: Ray Brown

Ray Brown

Ray Brown currently lives in North Miami Beach, Florida with his wife, kids, cat and fish tank. He is the owner operator of All Glass Tinting.

He has been involved with modeling almost his entire existence. His primary interests include pylon racing, giant scale, electric fun fly airplanes, and soaring.

His accomplishments include being a member of team Futaba since’97. Ray was a caller/mechanic for Randy Bridge in 2005 for the W/C F3D team. In the US Ray is a contest director for the NMPRA Champ Series in Ft Lauderdale Fl. He has many top finishes and fast time trophy’s in pylon competitions. He manufactured racing propellers for QM-40 that held records in 3 different countries. He currently is the only honorary lifetime member of the MPPA model airplane club. Ray is an AMA lifetime member IFLYQ500.

In his time away from airplanes he enjoys off shore fishing, Sword fishing, and wrapping custom fishing rods.


 

Caller/Mechanic: Robert Holik

Robert Holik

Robert Holik currently lives in Woodland, CA with his wife Teresa and son Ivan. He was born in the Czech Republic and has lived in the United States since 1983. He has a masters degree in aeronautical engineering and currently operates Landing Products (APC Propellers).

Robert became involved in aviation while studying aeronautical engineering at San Jose State University. While in school, he joined the AeroSport racing team in 1995 and started flying Giant Scale race planes. Soon after that he began competing in AMA pylon racing, with his focus shifting exclusively to F3D and Q40 pylon. Robert started competing in F3D pylon in 2004 and has been racing the AMA Q40 class since 2000.

Robert has been part of the 1997, 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2009 F3D World Championships as Richard Verano’s mechanic. He was also a member of the 2011 F3D Team as Travis Flynn’s mechanic.

Thank you to all those who have supported, and continue to support, the US F3D team over the years, your efforts and contributions are a large part of our success and are greatly appreciated.


 

Team Manager: Dan Kane

Dan Kane

I have flown R/C pylon for the past 30+ years, and have been involved with pylon ever since I was old enough to hold a transmitter. My Dad flew pylon in the early 70’s through the 90’s, during this time I had the privilege to call and compete right next to him. I have many fond memories from that time.

I enjoy designing and building airplanes almost as much as flying them. I have designed the Polecat and Loki QM40’s with Bruce DeChastel. Most recently I have devoted many hours to the development of Electric Formula 1 (EF1). Jerry Small and I have produced some beautiful airplanes that fly as good as they look. I look forward to the future of EF1. I currently represent the US pylon community by serving as the NMPRA president and sit on the AMA rules committee (contest board). It has been a joy to get back to some of my roots and work so closely with some great people in an attempt to grow the sport I love so much.

I was a member of the US FAI F5D team in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. I was the team manager for the F3D team in 2011 and look forward to working with the best pilots in the US again in 2013.

Thank you for your support.