INDOOR FLYING 2008 - 1st session - 26/01/08

Following on from previous years where the indoor sessions at the Grammar School proved so popular, the committee decided to revive these again for this year, and the first session was held recently at the Rue Maingy Scouting HQ. Although not as big as the Grammar School's hall, the added 'interest' of a couple of overhead cables and a climbing wall, proved that providing there is a reasonable amount of space to fly in, then the flying styles of the pilots will be adapted to suit the venue.

This first session was extremely popular and also raised a goodly amount of funds for the club. There were numerous differing type of fixed wing as well as a very healthy number of electric helicopters. The advent of the new generation of contra rotating blades has certainly brought the chance to fly a 'chopper' well within the novice pilot's capabilities. Even I had a go with one of these (thanks to Mike Cotterill for bravely letting me loose with a brand new model) and managed a circuit first time!

Anyway enough from me at this time, here are some of the better shots which I took on the day......

Most important to start the session ...

the pilot's briefing

One of the new RTF indoor aircraft which proved very popular -

 this Kyosho Cessna of Steve's was a brilliant flyer and a whole heap of fun.

Talking of fun... Mike Cotterill's Llama in the foreground,

very stable and a good intro to choppers. Looks good too!

Here's Mike at the sticks...

closely watched by Carl

Dave Wilkinson exploring the hall and its 'interesting bits'... Dave's thumb twiddling was as adept as ever, both fixed wing and some spirited heli flying.

A wall always comes in handy as a landing/taxiing strip!

A venerable IFO about to take to the air.

These aircraft were possibly the best known indoor flyers at one time. Bags of slooooow flying action available from these craft.

Andy Best readies his Huey for action.

A fine looking model which has been given a great paint job. Looks great in the air and flies very well indeed.

Ben Le Prevost has been active in heli flying of late, and his Bell 47 got a lot of airtime at this session. Very stable and again a good looking machine.

Dave Wilkinson gets ready for another take off, closely watched by his dad, Mick, who is making sure Dave knows what he is doing !!

In the background, Brian Reynolds gets his indoor flyer ready for another sortie... somewhat shortlived unfortunately as this next shot shows....

Are you sure the wings are meant to look like that Brian?

One of the aforementioned 'interesting bits' in the hall, this overhead wire was an open challenge to all to loop around it... and yes Dave did it!!

More heli flying, this time Brian's 'Blade' which performed extremely well. Very stable (contra rotating blades again) and good looking into the bargain - the heli that is, not Brian!

Mike Burton brought along a new machine to try out and boy did those blades kick up some dust.. I think most of it came out of his carpet 'heli pad' though.

Sign of a good session... lots of pilots and spectators.

John Ogier, who has perhaps done more electric flying then anyone in the club, also decided that indoors was a good place to be when the weather is cold,damp and blowing a hooley.

Strange its not a carnard John !

Dave and Mike exchanging technical tips prior to committing this new heli to the air. Flew well though and shows how advanced the new generation of electric choppers are these days.

Dave doesn't look that impressed with Andy's launching technique, but these little Picco Z's are immense fun for the money, and there were quite a few buzzing around all afternoon.

Probably the 'star' of the afternoon was Steve Glass's Kyosho Cessna, which got passed around to all and sundry. An undoubted winner in the RTF stakes and a superb flying machine. Thanks Steve for letting so many folks have a go.

And finally.....

It wasn't only the flying that was enjoyable, after all the aerial antics, we spent another ten minutes getting Stuart's little Silverlit Twin down from its impromptu landing spot as shown below. Thank heavens for the good supply of tennis balls available in the hall !!

All in all a great afternoon's entertainment and it bodes well for the next sessions which will be in the larger Grammar School Hall. Please see the diary of events for more info, and I hope to see you there.