Newsletter September 2006

Club Hut.

I would just like to say a quick thanks to all of you who have helped out over the last couple of months. The good news is the club hut renovation has all but been completed with the exception of a few minor bit and pieces. The long overdue replacement window has been fitted, the external of the building has been completely re-clad in timber, replacement door fitted, both the internal and externals given a lick of paint.  The “old” cooker has been swapped for a nice new pair of boiler rings and a patio area has been laid in front of the windows. All in all it looks much more inviting and if properly maintained should last a considerable length of time. Well done lads.

Hanger update.

David has not commenced any work on the new hanger yet so it has been business as usual as far as flying is concerned. 

RMFC Fly-in.

Shame on you who never made the effort to come..but it’s you who missed a darned good flying day. We had excellent support especially from the Dallachy Aeromodellers who invaded in force with a surprising variety of models. There were the usual Fixed wing I.C. models, including scale, sport, aerobatic, helicopters mixed with a good sprinkling electric models, and an Aeromacchi L39 jet turbine. This being the first time a turbine has flown from Knockbain. I will let the pictures do the talking.

New Models.

It was nice to see a few new models appearing from RMFC members over the last couple months with both Colin and Fraser bringing out with there virtually identical ‘large scale’ Giles 202 aerobatic models one being powered by a Super Tigre 23 and the other an OS 160 respectively. Both of them show great potential needing only a little fine tuning and look to be great fun to fly with there outrages power to weight ratio’s.

Helicopter wise Ian appeared with his newly kitted Jason Krause design, ‘Synergy N9’ This CCPM, OS 90 powered 3D monster looks to be the business being a no compromise 3D aircraft.

Fort William Aug 27^th.

Four flyers made the trip down under a rather dubious looking sky but all was well when we arrived, though a little breezy.     

As usual we were made very welcome and the crack was good as were the scoffs. I flew my raptor 50, with John King contributing with a flight with his Moki powered Glens Cap 68”. John Hamilton (Highland MC) flew a couple of small electrics, a ‘4D’ which is a 3D capable EPP plane of around 35” span and a small profile electric Spitfire

Fraser took along his big Giles, but unfortunately lost the model when it went for a flight all by itself. Definitely a candidate for ‘Crash of the Year’. Seconds into its flight the battery failed causing a complete loss of control with the model suddenly pitching 45 degrees nose down from a hundred feet or so straight through a tree and exiting out the other side minus its wings and quite a few other pieces.  The fuzz passed through mainly intact and then gently landed on a path a few yards short of the River Lochy. Very very  impressive Fraser. It initially looked  like it may the end of the road for said Giles but I believe Fraser has since repaired the Fuzz and ordered a replacement wing set. I can only guess what’s happened to that battery since!

PS Fraser has ordered a YAK replacement ..but don’t tell Debs! 

Falkirk Heli Fly-in Sept 3^rd

I made the trip to this one on my lonesome. I really did wonder if I was making the right decision under such a grey sky. Never the less after rather wet journey down the rain stopped within 5 mins of my arrival. Attendance was not on par with the Cumbernauld event in the early part of the year with around 30 models present. Flying was off the peg using two flight-lines one being used for hovering/testing the other for the more adventurous amongst us. Alex did a good job with the limited assistance he had, but I must admit at being a little uneasy at times with some pilots standing only a few yards out in front of the pits at any point over there 70-80yds length. On at least a couple occasions I felt distinctly uncomfortable. This could so easily have been avoided if pilots boxes had been marked out before hand. Unfortunately my camera’s memory card was mysteriously full of my sons MP3 files!!..so no pics.

Upcoming Events.

Next week 10^th Sept I’m off to West Calder for a Fixed wing 3D fly-in come teach in which also corresponds to the Loch Insch Float plane event on our doorstep. The following week 17^th Sept Dallachy Aeromodellers are having a Fly-in.    

Mower

Now that we have a suitable mower that actually does as it’s told everyone will have to take there turn at cutting the grass. This is a requirement of RMFC membership as was decided at the last years AGM. So what needs to be cut? The strip, pilot’s box, run-up area, Car parking area, pits, Heli start box, Path and Heli square + the area in front of the club hut. Bargain on around 1- to 1-1/2 hours to complete. It is preferable its completed before anyone arrives if at all possible. If we all take our turn it’s no hardship really. Those who wish to opt out are required to provide a substitite to complete there turn on the rota.  

Now the bad news!.. You will ALL shortly get notice of your position on the grass cutting rota for the rest of the season.

As I mentioned in the last newsletter it’s time to start thinking on projects for the evening meetings some of the ideas I mentioned last time may have been of interest, but it’s up to you to decide so lets be hearing your ideas.

Website.

The Website was recently updated by Steve, but unfortunately it appears the Host company has gone t**s up. I will inform you via e-mail when we have got an alternative online. Thanks to all of you who provided the photos this time round, you know who you are. Hopefully I will be able to get some HQ file versions for the new website when it’s up.

AGM 

The AGM will be coming up shortly and I will advise on venue and date when decided, meanwhile if there is anything you wish to be discussed it would be a good idea to let Bob know in plenty of time for adding to the Agenda. He can be e-mailed at  bob_robertson@culloden3.fsnet.co.uk

That’s about it for now I think.

Some photos for your perusal.............

17th September 2006

John and Barney made the trip through to Dallachy for the Elgin Clubs Fly-in. By all accounts a very busy day.

Photo descriptions from left to right.

Two OS90 powered JR Helis, a Vibe and a CS Vigor.

Two lovely Extras a 300L and a 260.

And again.

Yes it was a busy day, what a variety of models.

The Motley Crew - Marius, John, Barney and Mike.

John Campbell's Mini Boomerang for a 400 size Brushless motor

19th March 2006 - Fort William

Bi-monthly visit to Lochaber saw 5 RFMC members make the trip. I flew my Easystar with digital camera and got some nice pics.

Photo descriptions from left to right.

The River Lochy looking towards Fort William

The Torlundy Flying site from above.

Looking over the Caledonian Canal

The River Lochy looking towards Loch Lochy

21st January 2006 - Fort William

A few hardy club members made the trip to Fort William following an invite. It was cold and windy with little flying but getting the crack made the trip worthwhile. Here are a few pics courtesy of Colin Nicol.

 Photo descriptions from left to right.

John helps Fraser sort out the C of G on his Fun Fly.

Peter McCorquodale's Precedent Fun Fly

This one's going up.

Peter preparing to train a Fort William member.