As Some of you know, I have been flying for TSA Model as a field representative since April 2013.
I really love these helicopters, and I am proud to be able to represent TSA Model for 2013.
I currently fly two TSA helicopters. One Infusion 600N Platinum, and one Infusion 600N Pro.



I am running identical setups on both machines, with the only difference being the airframes. Here are the differences between the Platinum and pro versions, along with my setup

The Platinum version has all the metal parts like the main rotor grips,
tail box,and tail rotor as well as carbon fiber frames and carbon wrapped tail boom. Whereas the Pro version has plastic parts in those areas, fiberglass frames, and aluminum tail boom
and boom supports. Both versions sport the same 650ml tank that is found on the TSA Infusion 700 models.

Here is my setup:

Engine: OS 50SX-H Hyper Ringed
Muffler: Hatori SAB-50
Fuel: Byron Rotor Rage 30%
Cyclic servos: Futaba S3051HV
Tail servo: MKS HBL980
FBL Controller: Beastx
Main Blades: Rail 606mm CF
Tail Blades: Rail 96mm CF

Both helicopters fly exceptionally well, and very similar. They are both very fast, agile, and precise. However, the Pro is quite a bit more "floaty" than the Platinum...especially on autos.

I know there are some who do not like the idea of plastic parts, but These are made with top quality materials and craftsmanship  which will stand up to whatever can be thrown at them.  

Another plus about TSA helicopters, is that the 600 and 700 same alot of the same parts. Which means you don`t have to keep parts for two different size machines
if you fly both 600 and 700 size helicopters. TSA helicopters are also available in 600E/700E Platinum and Pro, and 600N/700N Platinum and Pro. So there are plenty of options for anyone`s needs.

The 2013 Orlando Helicopter Blowout has come and gone, and lot of fun was had by all. I never heard what the official final pilot count was, but I think it exceeded last year`s turn out.

The Saturday noon time demos were very good. All of the teams put on a spectacular show, and there were a lot of crashes over the course of the weekend.

I got to have a flight on the new Curtis Youngblood Stingray quad, with Curtis Youngblood himself at the buddy box....that was very cool. I`m not much into quads, but the Stingray is pretty cool and lots of fun to fly.

I also got to meet a very special friend from England, who I have been friends with on Facebook for quite a while. Miss Rachel Plant! What an honor and privilege it was to meet and fly with her. She is a VERY good pilot, even if she won`t take credit for it...and a wonderful person to be around. I am proud to have her as a friend.

The 2013 IRCHA Helicopter Jamboree has come and gone, but that event will be in my memory for years to come. I got to the AMA headquarters on July 28th, ( a couple days before the event was scheduled to start)  got my camping permit, and proceeded to the area where IRCHA was to take place.

Not many people were there, and most of those who were there at that time were working on setting up vendor/sponsor`s tents. By Tuesday, there were a hundred people or so, who had made their way in, and there was a small amount of flying going on here and there.

I met up with my friend Randy (Elkmaster on the forums) and we got a flight or two in before the madness set in and flight stations got hart to get to. I was shaking like a leaf during my whole first flight. Not because I was afraid to fly, but because of where I was flying. IRCHA! Sure...I have attended 20+ events with three of them being the Orlando Helicopter Blowout, but this was my very first time attending IRCHA. The super bowl of helicopter fun flies.

The event officially got underway on Wednesday, July 31, and the fun kicked into gear. The first couple of days were pretty much open flying, and on Friday, there were demo flights being done by Team TSA, Goblin, Gaui, Align and several other teams. Saturday, was the Mikado power hour demo session, with lots of V-Bar controllers and other prizes being given out.

The one competition was outstanding, and all of the contestants put on one heck of a performance but it was Kyle Dahl who took home the gold. The auto rotation contest was taken by none other than Raja Bortcosh. I have never seen Raja lose an auto contest. He accepted the first place plaque, but asked that the first place prize be bumped down to the second place entry. Not many people would be willing to do that.

I had the pleasure of meeting several of my facebook friends who until now, I had only communicated with on the computer. One of those friends, was Mr. Robert Gorham. It was such an honor to meet a living legend in the RC helicopter community. He is a very nice and sincere person, who really values his friends. Robert, if you`re reading this....You`re awesome :)

Jeff Dunham, was also there. He is a very nice person too, and was happy to autograph a copy of RC heli pilot for me, which he was featured in and pose for a photo with me. I really enjoy his shows, and it was a privilege to meet his as well.

With all of that going on, I was still able to build and fly my brand new TSA 600N helicopter. Thank you, Nigel for helping with the build to get me on the flight line that much faster.

The night flights on Sunday night were incredible. There were eight contestants, and Bobby Watts took the first place spot with a performance you would have to experience to believe.

The end of the 2013 IRCHA JAMBOREE came with an awesome fireworks display which lasted for what seemed like an hour. I hated to see it all end, and to have to say good bye to all of my friends/team mates. But I walked away from it with lots of new friends, quality time spent with old friends, and the anticipation of being able to do it all over again next year. 

Photos from the 2013 IRCHA JAMBOREE can be found in the "Event Photos" photo gallery. Just click the link at the top of the page and enjoy.

Out at the field flying my T-Rex 550E today, and having a great time. When I got ahead of myself while doing low to the ground rainbows. I got way too low, and dug the tail blades into the ground Which thankfully, was soft and muddy from the frequent rain storms we have been getting here. When the tail hit the ground, I thought GREAT! Here we go...time for a forced auto. To my surprise, the helicopter stayed in the air...so I kept flying.

If not for the soggy and muddy flying field, it could have been ugly.

Last weekend, I did some trading with a friend of mine. I traded an Align T-Rex 450 and an Align T-Rex 500, for an Align T-Rex 550E. I made this trade for a couple of reasons. First... my friend likes the smaller machines more, because of the less expensive crash costs and he is just more comfortable with them.

Second, I like the the larger machines and I needed a mid size electric helicopter. Mainly for electric only fun flies, and for learning new maneuvers with.  The world of electric helicopters is a world I have not lived in for quite some time, since I fly nitro helicopters.

The airframe is all stock, with no upgrade parts installed, but some of the electronics have been changed. The flybarless controller, is an AR7200BX with satellite, the speed controller is a Castle Ice 120. I also took the Mavrikk sport blades which were on it off, and installed Rail 556mm mains and Rail 96mm tails on it...I love my rail blades! I`m pretty excited about having this helicopter in my fleet, and I can`t wait to maiden it tomorrow ( 6-22-13) at our local flying club.