1. 2015 African 3D Heli Challenge Competition
Format and Maneuvers
The competition will comprise of two flights for sportsman class and 3 flights
for advance class and Master class, namely set manoeuvers, Freestyle & Music
Flight. Below are the classes for the event.
• Sportsman
• Advanced
• Master
Sportsman’s Class:
Sportsman class will only fly round 1 and round 2 for the competition.
Advance Class:
Advance class will fly round 1, round 2 & round 3(The Music Flight – This
flight is voluntary for the advance pilots. If the flight is performed the pilot will
be scored based on the flight performance. If music flight is not performed then
only round 1 and 2 will be used for scoring.)
Master Class:
Masters Class will fly 3 Pre-rounds: Set maneuvers, Freestyle & Music flight.
After completing of all 3 pre-rounds, the top 3 pilots will move forward to final
Fly Offs.
The top 3 pilots will complete all 3 rounds (Set maneuvers, Freestyle & Music
flight) again in the Fly Offs. The winner of the Fly Offs will win the master
class competition.
Round 1-Set Manoeuvers
Each pilot must choose 6 manoeuvers from the list of manoeuvers for their
class.
Pilots must indicate their 6 chosen manoeuvers on their entry form. Each flight
will be limited to 5:00 minutes from lift off and any manoeuvers performed
outside of the 5 minute window will not be judged. Should a pilot fly beyond
the 5 minute limit the flight line marshal will instruct the pilot to land
immediately.
Pilots are not expected to fly any additional manoeuvers over and above their
chosen 6 manoeuvers and the flight will be judged on the chosen 6 manoeuvers
only.

2. All manoeuvers now include a K-Factor. Scoring will be calculated based on
the score for each maneuver multiplied by the K-Factor. The higher the K-
Factor the more difficult the maneuver.
Round 2-Freestyle
Each pilot will be allocated a maximum of 4:00 minutes to perform a freestyle
routine of their choosing. There is no restriction on what manoeuvers can be
performed. Should a pilot perform any of the set manoeuvers during his / her
freestyle flight, he / she does so at their own discretion.
Scoring for the freestyle flight will be for the flight as a whole and not based on
individual manoeuvers.
The flight will be judged for:
• Wow Factor (max.25%)
• Difficulty (max. 33%)
• Harmony (max. 25%)
• Precision (max.17%)
Round 3-Music Flight
The competitor should compose his own sequence of maneuvers to suit to
a 3:30 min lasting music flight of his own choice.
Scoring for the freestyle flight will be for the flight as a whole and not based on
individual manoeuvers. The better the flight synchronize with the music the
higher the score.
The flight will be judged for:
• Creativity (max.33%)
• Difficulty (max. 25%)
• Harmony (max. 25%)
• Precision (max.17%)
Description:
2.1 Wow Factor
This will be related to the spectator value and appeal of the overall flight. i.e A
pilot executing an elevator tic-toc 30cm off the ground will score higher than a
pilot executing the same maneuver 10m off the ground. The same will apply to
an aggressive flight vs a passive flight.

3. 2.2 Difficulty
This criterion evaluates the level of difficulty. The entire flight is be judged,
not only some highlights. So the score reflects the average level of difficulty.
The K-factors of the set manoeuvers may give some reference values for the
difficulty.
2.3 Harmony
The combination of manoeuvers and the transitions between them is of
influence. The size and dynamic of the manoeuvers should fit to the
performance of the helicopter. Harmony can be as well demonstrated in
dynamic as in gentle sequences.
2.4 Precision
Precision and recognition of manoeuvers and sequences are evaluated here.
The criterion is not as strict as for the set manoeuvers and the whole flight is
judged, but the principles are the same.
2.5 Creativity
Creativity does not mean just a collection of set maneuvers flown in strict order.
Every pilot should create new styles/maneuvers or modify known maneuvers in
the music flights. This new combinations or new maneuvers at all will lead to
high scores. Also dynamic and diversified sequences are positive. There also
should be a variety of different tempo in the presentation. Sequences without
maneuvers or repetitions will lead to downgrades. Synchronization with the
music will lead to high scores.
3. Set Manoeuver’s
3.1 Sportsman
K= 3.0 Travelling Upright Pirouette L-R/R-L
K= 3.5 1x 540 Stall Turn
K= 3.5 1x Loop
K= 4.0 5Sec+ Sustained Inverted Hover
K= 4.0 2x Consecutive Rolls in forward flight
K= 4.0 3x Stationary Roll or Flip
K= 4.0 Straight and level inverted flight min 20m L-R/R-L
K= 4.0 3x Inverted Pirouette
K= 4.5 Three Consecutive Inverted Travelling Pirouettes

4. 3.2 Advanced
K= 5.0 Inverted figure of 8
K= 5.0 Two+ Consecutive Elevator Rainbows
K= 5.0 1x Inverted loop (From top or bottom)
K= 5.5 Flipping loop
K= 6.0 Elevator Tic-Tocs 10sec continuous.
K= 6.0 1x Funnel
K= 6.0 Two Consecutive Half Piro Flip (Heli must start and end in the same
orientation)
K= 6.0 Forward knife edge Pirouette
K= 7.0 Travelling Aileron Tic-Tocs 5 sec continuous.
K= 7.0 Inverted Backward Hurricane
K= 8.0 3x Piro Flip
3.3 Masters
K= 7.0 4x Rainbow with half roll.
K= 8.0 Snake
K= 8.0 The Dome
K= 8.5 Waltz
K= 9.0 Pirouetting loop
K= 9.0 Rolling Circle
K= 9.0 Stationary Pirouetting Tic-Tocs 10 sec continous
K= 9.0 The rattle snack
K= 9.5 Four Point Tic Toc reversal
K= 9.5 The Springbok
K=10 The Tareq
K=10 Table Mountain