Hobbico E-Fest

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World famous Quique Somenzini never fails to wow the crowd.

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Hobbico/Great Planes hosted the indoor electric E-Fest on February 11 and 12th. It was held at the huge University of Illinois Armory Track and Field facility in Champaign, IL. The 100-foot ceiling and huge open space offered and ideal stage for some exiting airplane and helicopter flying. Both days allowed for plenty of open flying for the over 200 registered pilots. There were additional times reserved for slow flyers, jets, helis, 3D, combat and sponsored demos. There were also many onsite hobby retailers and, manufacturers and distributors.

Saturday evening featured exciting scheduled events:

>>Ultimate Combat – the flyers battled it out in this no-holds barred, full contact event in which the winner is the last plane in the air. Every type of plane was entered, from 3-channel slow flying sticks to ducted fans. Soon after the start, the Armory was raining Styrofoam pieces from the downed aircraft.
>>Helicopter Smackdown – extreme heli freestyle completion set to music. Young Nick Maxwell wowed the crowd with his daring low-level 3D routine using his Align T-Rex.
>>E-Style Contest – world famous pilots performed their daring 3D routines choreographed to music. Jason Noll flew a flawless routine to take the top spot.
>>Black-Out – at 9:00 pm the lights were shut off for an hour while airplane and heli pilots demonstrated their night flying. There were many cool effects, with 10-year old Kyle Stacy’s T-Rex really standing out.
>>Pylon Race – this impromptu event sponsored by Castle Creations was held on Sunday morning. There were many collisions and hair-raising moments during this 2-heat race. --By Klaus Ronge

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Hobby Lobby demonstrated their new Super Zoom with optional floats.

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A DJ Aerotech Roadkill B-17 flying high inside the Armory.

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The Electrifly Reactor 3D was debuted by Great Planes. It is a MonoKote-covered balsa and ply unlimited 3D plane.

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Helicopter Smackdown champ Nick Maxwell.

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Jason Noll’s heart-stopping routine won him first place in the E-Style contest (Jason's in the middle).

[Gerryy]

Great posts guys! Now I really wish I had gone to the event!
GY

[PeterV]

So, uh, what kind of cape comes with "SUper Moderator?"