3D Masters

3D Masters is an international 3D radio-controlled helicopter competition. The competition is held over three days during July in Northampton, England.

History

3D Masters is a showcase of the best 3D helicopter pilots from around the world. It was conceived by an amateur British radio controlled helicopter pilot named Jeff Barringer who realised that there was a need for a competition for pilots flying in the (then) new '3D' style. The first event was held in July 2001 and since 2002 it has been held at Northampton University in England.

Visitors from the rest of the World are welcome. Pilots, Sponsors and Spectators stay in accommodation at the 3D Masters site and make a weekend from the event. It gives an opportunity socialise and share ideas with other like-minded people. Evening events are held for this reason.

Levels

There are three levels: sportsman, expert, and master.

portsman

The Sportsman Level, which was last used in 2007, was for pilots who had not previously competed in international 3D competitions and who wanted to enjoy a weekend among their comrades.

Sportsman Pilots were usually not sponsored, and the total 'k' (the difficulty of the maneuver) could not exceed 10.

Due to the increasing popularity of the sport and the concommitant pressure on places in the 3D Masters competition, the Sportsmans Class was removed from the competition after the 2007 event.

Expert

The Expert Level is usually entered by individuals who represent the best pilots from their respective countries.

Masters

Masters Pilots are drawn from the top pilots in the world. To obtain a place in the Masters class a pilot has to be invited by the organisers. They are almost always well established, sponsored, well-known international competitors.

Competition

3D Masters is known to provide participants intense competition and a large, appreciative audience. Six internationally-recognized 3D pilots judge the event.

Format

The competition testing format is comprised of three separate disciplines, each assessed individually:

et Maneuvers

Here, each pilot chooses a number of maneuvers from a pre-published set of moves. Once the maneuvers have been chosen and entered, they may not be altered. The pilot must concentrate on perfecting those maneuvers for the competition. The set maneuvers change from year to year, and carry varying levels of difficulty, or 'k' factors.

Freestyle

In freestyle, pilots must show the audience and the judges their capability in a totally free format. They may simply show their ability to restore control to a helicopter that is falling, or consider and rehearse a sequence of their best maneuvers.

Props and pyrotechnics are allowed to be used in the performance to further highlight the spectacle.

Flight to Music

Here, pilots must produce a sequence to a piece of music.

Results

External links

* [http://www.3dmasters.org.uk/ 3D Masters]