Interview with Kyle Stacy, 2008 World Micro Heli Cup Champion

The 2008 Empire Hobby World Micro Heli Cup is now in its fourth year and has already
proven itself as a high profile show for the world’s best indoor micro helicopter pilots. Our
fourth annual event will take place on Saturday, October 18th and Sunday, October 19th
at the iHobbyExpo located in the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont,
Illinois. Like last year, we expect great crowds, great media coverage, and lots of cash
and prizes to be given away.

As a previous competator in the last 4 years, Kyle Stacy placing 3rd last year, behind team mate Bobby Watts, this year has put stepped it up a few notches this year, taking the 1st place trophy for both the Micro (Gaui 200 sized), and the Mini (Trex 450 sized) classes, bringing in a whopping $2000 for his winnings, and a smile on his face as he gets on the airplane, with his two big 4 foot long checks.

I had the oppertunity to catch up with Kyle once he returned home from iHobby, on AOL messenger, and he was glad to do an interview with me.

• Jason Bell: So Kyle, in what ways did you prepare for iHobby expo 2008?Kyle: Well Jason, I started with getting the mandatory manueveres down, then moved into how I wanted to make my freestyle.Jason Bell: At the end of the day Saturday, how many flights did you fly, and what was your standings?

  Kyle Stacy: By the end of Saturday I had 4 competition flights done with 2 practice flights in, by the end of Saturday I was in first place in both mini
  and micro classes.

  Jason Bell: Was there any “after event” flying, such as night flying, ect.?

  Kyle Stacy: No, the pilots were mainly just getting as much practice in as they could until 5:00 PM when the convention center closed.

  Jason Bell: Was the schedule the same for Sunday, or did the event organizer mix it up?

  Kyle Stacy: It was there same on Sunday the only difference was the added awards at the end.

  Jason Bell: Sunday, how many flights did you get, and your standings afterwards?

  Kyle Stacy: On Sunday I got another 4 competition flights with a few practice flights, When awards came i finished up in first place.

  Jason Bell: What were your thoughts through out the whole weekend, with in your mind that you might be walking away in 1st place seeing as you have done so well in the past there?

  Kyle Stacy: I just wanted to have fun and hang out with friends, I wasn’t worried about winning.

  Jason Bell: Was there any memorable flights you have in mind from the weekend, both planes and helis?

  Kyle Stacy: Well every airplane flight by Brandon Chitty was pretty amazing, his style is so unique. Everyone flew great at the IHobby Expo.

For the Micro competition Kyle flew the Gaui Hurrican 200 with the following set up

• Stock gaui motor
• Stock Gaui esc
• 2 cell 800 mah Gaui Li-Po
• Hyperion DS09 cyclic servos
• Futaba 3154 Tail Servo
• Spartan Gyro
• Stock Wood Blades
• Belt Drive System
• Futaba 7C 2.4Ghz Radio
• Futaba 617 2.4Ghz Receiver

And in the Mini competition Kyle flew a Furion 450 from Miniature Aircraft with the following set up:

• Scorpion HK221-6
• Scorpion 45A ESC
• 3s 2200 Hyperion Batteries
• Hitec HS 65MG servos
• Futaba Gy401 gyro
• Futaba 9257 Tail Servo
• Hyperion 325 mm Main Blades

On behalf of Rcheliresource, congradulations Kyle for pulling off 2 1st place victories, and find something good to spend the $2,000 on. I know you dont need a laptop :). Here are some pictures Kyle submitted to me.

Kyle and Nick Maxwell with their Furion 450’s

Kyle and Tim Schoonard with Kyle’s Furion 450

Kyle with his dad Ray, Paul Fu who designs the Gaui models, and Jack Burnside from Empire Hobby

Kyle 1st, Nick Maxwell 2nd, and Mitch Marozasa 3rd