What's New
Monday 7th November 2011
The winter is truely here! We went up the field on Sunday morning and was it cold. OK I know, once winter is in force you dress up and get used to the weather, but not Sunday, I was still in denial, the temperature according to the dashboard was 11C, so I was up in light jacket and top, and the wind, boy did that punish me. The wind was straight across the patch and bitter, not sure what the wind chill was, but it was enough for me! Now I'm back in the warmth pottering around the shed/garage making a list of repairs and builds to take care of over the coming months. My son is badgering me to make a set of ski's for a 50CC'er, he's made of sterner stuff.
On a more serious note: The AGM date has been set for the 9th December and you will all get your invitations shortly. Don't forget as per the EGM, club & BMFA fees will be due in December. The club has got another noise meter as discussed, so for those people wanting a quick check, you can either 'borrow' the meter or bring your model up to the field for a sound check. Please be aware doing a sound check in an enclosed enviroment will not match what happens when you the engine at full chat up the field. We have a whole wealth of experienced flying builders for those struggling with the old noise issues.
I'd like to extend a quick Thank You to those members who were up on Saturday 4th, you did a great job of de-sticking (fireworks) the patch.
Right - Time to go and tidy a few patches in the garden, I know I shouldn't be saying this, but the rain is very welcome, with the ground being as hard as it's been over the last 6-8 months.
Sunday 11th September 2011
We had to try it. We woke up today and said - Its not raining, the suns shining, and OK there's a little wind, but nothing too bad. I had to tune up a 60CC engine anyway after a fuel leak repair. So on went the batteries.
We loaded up the car with our SBACH, and set off up the field. The wind seemed a tad worse than our nicely sheltered back garden, but blow it 'In for penny'. Got to the field and even with braincells screaming 'idiots' we setup the plane. We started the plane on the ground and did the tuning - Why you ask were we not on the starting benches, too windy we felt!
The next stage of tuning was to fly, we debated a few minutes as to how stupid we were, then said 'since we're here', so we wheeled the plane out onto the patch and started the engine. I walked away at this point and let Jake take the craft up. The plane taxied down and took off smoothly, then 'whoosh' it was airborne and into the wind. There were a few mutterings of a very dubious nature coming from Jake, and even from my vantage point, the SBACH, which is known for its ability to fly in wind, was having a tough time. The only consolation at this point is that the JC60 engine was purring like a kitten and gave the model heaps of spare power. After only 2 minutes of flying Jake declared it was landing time. The first approach was hairy, with an abort just as the plane was being blown into a knifeedge. The second approach, Jake was ready and powered the model right in and down onto the runway killing the engine, there was going to be no attempt at taxi'ing and no letting the model's nose go cross wind.
Why you are probably asking have I recalled this mornings attempt at flying, well because in my opinion, that has summed up both this years and lasts years weather for our sport. I know for a fact that if there had been a person with a lesser ability than Jake on the controls this morning, we would have lost a very expensive plane. Jake to just fly basic circuits and land, was having to fly using constant instinctive corrections, which sadly for most of us just isn't there.
A great many people have left this sport over the last couple of years, with the main reason being the weather. I myself came very close during the early summer, but Jake's enthusiasum has kept me flying, be it mostly on a simulator, and the odd glorious day when the elements all come together to give us wonderful conditions.
I suppose what I'm trying to say with all this rabbling is stick with it. Those days when you can fly, so make up for all the frustrations of when you can't. There is some real therapy spending a day in the fresh air, watching the world go by, whilst having your pride and joy potting round the sky looking majestic.
Anyway I have to go now as the winds just ripped the cover off the BBQ *sigh*
Saturday 23rd July 2011
I don't believe it. Perfect flying weather at last (how long!) and there's a music festival so we can't fly. Maybe tomorrow will be just as good. There is a new newletter from Tony uploaded, so please enjoy. Hope to see you all up at the field soon.
Sunday 10th April 2011
It turned out to be a great weekend, and the weather was perfect, couldn't ask for better. Lots of people up at the field enjoying the freedom to fly. There were a few maiden's this weekend including Jake's Cardon Yak. Brian and Keith were doing their WWII reenactment with their Spitfire and BF109. Keith the close airclashes made it all the more realistic, even if your nerves were shot by the time you landed.
I leant a very valuable lesson - Bacon butties taste wrong if cooked on a disposable BarBee, that propellant taste just ruined them. Oh well, you live and learn. Mind you no one else seem to mind, maybe they're all just petrol heads!!
Paul was doing a sterling job with the lawn mowers & the 'patch' is starting to look good.
Saturday 2nd April 2011
Started the long needed revamp of the photo Gallery. If you have any photo's you would like to share just let me (Andrew Robinson) know and they will be put up on the site.
Keith has submitted some very nice scale picture to start that section off.
Friday 1st April 2011
At last - Spring and decent weather is here!
Boy hasn't the weather been naff over the last 6 months. I hope to get up and have a fly myself soon instead of just being a taxi driver and pit monkey. Lets hope this year proves to be a good year and is kind to us all. Time to dust off those models built over the long winter months and see just what they can do, or more to the point what you can remember or are brave enough to do. Dnn't forget that you could bring the cildren or grandchildren up and teach them as well, beats video games and TV's. Brian has started teaching Jake his 4 year old grandson to fly, and has taken a couple of very nice photo's. I have created a new 2011 photo gallery which needs filling up, so all pictures appreiciated.
Monday 31st January 2011
We have a new Newsletter - Enjoy.
The weather is now hopefully slowly getting better & the chances to fly without actually freezing your hands to the controls improving. I'm sure spring will be onto us very quickly and the real business of testing all those winter projects can start. If you have any suggestions you would like to see happen for 2011, please don't hesitate to contact any of the committee.
Friday 10th December 2010
After all the snow and seriously cold weather over the last couple of weeks, lets hope that the warm spell runs over the weekend and we can go back out into the fresh air again. The planes are starting to nudge the garage door pining to get back up into the sky.
The last few weeks also saw our AGM, which was a lively affair. lets hope that 2011 is a good year & we can put some of the discussed into action, especially the seat for Dave Boddington, to go along side Ken's.
If you have any good pictures, we can load onto the website I would be most interested - We need to have a fresh set for everyone to admire.
I hope you all get what you are after from Father Christmas, in whatever form he comes.
Saturday 20th November 2010
As I look outside at the weather, I can help but think, how come we now have no wind and no rain. Summer appears to have flutuated between gales and storms most weekends. On the upside the airs fresh and my gloves are warm, even if the IC planes do need to be retuned to work properly.
As another year almost comes to a close, its that time when the AGM looms large (3rd December) & you have to start looking ahead to 2011. If you have any great ideas or suggestions please don't hesitate to to let us know so we can include them into the meeting.
If you have material we should know about and would like included on the website, drop me a line and it will be included. Its time to start updating all the pictures and articules to keep the site relevant and reflective of the club.
Monday 31st August
Well its been a busy couple of months and the weather gods appear to have targeted weekends to hit us with its wrath. Between Shows / competitions and weather its been a quiet time at the field. A big thank you to all who have been pottering around repairing and gardening. A special thanks to Paul C. who seems to have been on the mower every weekend, keeping everywhere looking nice. The weather is meant to be improving for the next few weeks, so we were considering on having something for all the club to be involved in. Watch this space or the newsletter for details.
Monday 14th June
Sorry for the lack of updates - I have temporarily locked out of the website, but its sorted now. The temporary offered times for IC aircraft have been provisionally accepted pending an EGM - These are the times communicated for IC.
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm except Wednesday which extends to 8pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm
Please remember these are only provisional but do provide a framework we can operate around.
Thank you
Sunday 6th June
A temporary agreement has been reached pending a proper EGM which is being organised for as soon as possible, between the model club and Hardwick. The times are as communicated, for IC models. Small and quiet electric models are not included, but must be able to be flown away from the bridal path, thus keeping the path totally clear for equestrian use.
A request from our Neighbours at Hardwick - We have been asked to not fly after midday (12:00) on the 20th June 2010, due to an outside event which includes live music.
I understand that there has been some good progress being made towards alternate flying sites, with many of the local land owners reacting favourably towards hosting a flying site.
For those at the 'High Alpha' shootouts next weekend - Good Luck and happy flying. For those not there - Have a nice peaceful weekend.
Thursday 27th May
Dear Fellow Modellers, We find ourselves in a rather difficult position at this moment in time. A serious complaint has been made against the Model Flying Club by Hardwick village with regard to noise. It is unfortunate, but in this instance we are guilty and must act responsibly to rectify that position.
With the building of our present runway just over three years ago, we were inadvertently at a point in the valley which magnified and echoed all our sounds around Hardwick village which is positioned in a natural bowl.
A number of representatives from our committee have met with the Hardwick parish and opened a line of communication for both our mutual benefits. A number of land owners within Hardwick have expressed a desire to help find us an alternate flying location, and on our part we need to rapidly reduce the impact we’re having on their village.
We will be posting up new flying times and restictions in the very near future. Please watch this space.
Regards
Andrew Robinson Chairman
Wednesday 12th May
The weather has at last improved, and the field has managed to see a reasonable amount of flying over the last month. Sadly we need it to rain, so that we can roll the patch and get rid of a few of those annoying bumps. As the weather has improved, we can now start getting on with those jobs that we've been putting off for just such an ocassion.
Don't forget that we have a Helicopter competition on on the 23rd of this month, it was to include the 22nd but, has been changed to a one day event only. Please feel free to come along a see how those whirlybirds are meant to be flown!
In an attempt to help out a former club member who's selling up due to ill health, I'm posting up a list of all his (Cliff Gray) flying equipment. If you have any questions or wish to purchase, please contact Cliff via his mobile.
LINK to PDF File : Cliffs List (43Kb)
If others want me to add a dedicated sales page then please let me know.