So September is upon us already, where has the so called summer gone !!!
I was speaking to Jason last weekend and we both commented on what a poor summer it had been for model flying in fact for anything !!!!. When it has been dry it has been blowing a gale and when no wind normally raining, so frustrating.
With whats going on in the world I suppose in the grand scale of things we are lucky.
Having said all of the above a couple of newer members have made good progress with regard to learning to fly, I suppose flying in 18mph wind and drizzle all adds to the character building.
Events/Field News
So the rescheduled club Scale/Aero trophy event (Sept 1st) turned out to be a bit of a non event, again the weather (mainly wind) made for unfavourable conditions, it was not a day for light models.
I was really impressed with Rob Kennedy’s beautiful Spitfire powered by a Saito four stroke petrol engine, a fantastic realistic sound. Currently the plane is suffering some overheating issues due to the scale cowl being very tight around the engine, its a difficult task sometimes to get adequate air in and out of a scale cowl. I remember the late Harold Dowbakin telling me the exit hole needs twice as big as the inlet hole for cowl cooling.
I am sure Rob will get it sorted.
If you have been down to the field over the last few weeks you will have noticed Phil Leach was over from France.
Always nice catching up with tales from the French flying scene. Phil very kindly has done an article about his local club and surrounding flying events.
Now I could say I was saving the article for this months newsletter but I would be lying, I forgot about it so please read on.
Aeromodelisme France
This picture is of my local small club from the far side of the strip showing all the differences, good and bad, between your hobby in Angleterre and what happens here in France.
No Folks this picture was not taken in the balmy summer months – this is a Sunday in November and in case you are wondering, you cannot see the windsock because its hanging vertically – temperature is about 23 degs, strip is long and level but with a rough surface, club hut with barbecue facilities is just out of site on the left.
But yes you say. If all that is true where are the model planes and all the enthusiastic fliers?? It would seem that your French counterparts, despite having superb facilities and climate, lack your hardy Northern enthusiasm for the cut and thrust of everyday model flying whilst shivering and wiping the rain off your spectacles.
Model flying here is much more of an ad hoc affair with groups turning up at the field by arrangements made over the internet via “Whatsapp” and the like. The regular Sunday morning or Wednesday afternoon gatherings we have in the UK are not so much a feature in France. Food and drink, on the other hand, is very prominent in life on the flying field. Flying is usually interrupted at mid day in order to consume copious quantities of food washed down by gallons of wine – leading to some very bizarre flying in the afternoon!
One big difference is that in France most people fly Mode 1 with ailerons and throttle on the right stick, rudder and elevator on the left stick. I am the only person in my local Club who flys the Mode 2 most of you fly at Blackpool.
Skill levels are the same as UK- small percentage very good fliers including some world champions, small percentage almost dangerously incompetent but most are club level safe fliers around “A” test standard.
Last Sunday I attended an interclub Fly In at a club near Montpellier about 70 miles from where we stay. The club is the A.M.C.C. ( Aero Model Club Calvisson) – each year they hold this local event and invite the French version of the LMA to attend hence the meeting was a much bigger even than I thought it would be from the pre event publicity. The club field was in open country with a tarmac strip plus large club hut and plenty of permanent shade covers – essential for summer time flying in this part of the world. I have attached a few pictures of the event below:-
General view of the strip models queuing for slots. The yellow water bomber model was very large – about 5 metre span.
So we had a really good day out and I was surprised at the quality of the models and displays given that it was not an event open to the general public. This allowed easy access to the models and facilities without any unnecessary and obtrusive “safety” controls.
At the moment I am on the process of joining another club near Montpellier called MACH 34 (look it up on the interweb) because it has a field overlooking the Med which is more suitable for flying my larger models than my local club, I will still continue membership of my local club because they are all good friendly lads who have helped me improve my French. My new club is near the Mediterranean resort of Pavalas –les –Flots – so if any of you are holidaying near there give me a call and we will see if we can get you a flying session!
That’s all for now – see you all in August.
Phil
Thanks for the article Phil, the lunch puts our BBQ to shame !!!
If anybody whats an article included in the newsletter feel free to contact me, ideally it wants to be in Microsoft word format. Please be aware of any copyright issues if you include photos/articles copied from the internet, yes this has happened, not to me but by another clubs newsletter.
Club Hut
A reminder from the committee that if you use the brewing up facilities in the hut could you please take the cup home and wash it and don’t leave tea bags and dirty plastic spoons on the table please.
Crashed Model Debris
Last Wednesday Jake and I walked out into the middle of strip to pick up what turned out to be debris from a crashed model.
There were bits of balsa, covering material and a propellor blade sticking out of the grass, a black master airscrew, the other half of the propellor was found in the pits area.
Please take your rubbish home, crashing a plane is not fun but leaving the rubbish is not for fun everybody else.
Flying Field Lease
If you remember to the AGM there were discussions around the field lease being up for renewal. The committee are well on with discussions with our landlord any further updates and you will get to know.
Trainers/Trainees
The list of club trainers has been refreshed and their names are below.
If you are a trainee please bear in mind the vast majority of these people work during the day so if you turn up at the field on a Thursday morning for example please don’t get annoyed that there are no trainers there.
A couple of the trainers are of an age where work does not get in the way and if contacted may be able to accommodate mid week sessions.
As a trainee get to know these trainers if needed ask for their phone numbers or use the Clubs messenger group to make contact with them.
Don’t rely on the same trainer all the time, all the trainers will offer the same amount of training and to the same standard/goal.
Trainers :
Chris Vernon, Jason Reid, Jake Reid, Mark Conlin, Andy Harrison, Anthony Ollerton, Dave Hindley, Kev Watson
Regards Chris V