INDOOR FLYING 2008 - 2nd session - 20/02/08

Following on from the success of the first session held in January, the members came down to the Grammar School sports hall for this next session. Over thirty modellers, most of whom flew at some stage or other, proved just how popular and achievable indoor flying has become. There were old favourites such as the IFO, as well as home brew models and the quickly expanding range of electric choppers and lightwieght fixed wing aircraft. Indeed there is so much to choose from these days, it is more a case of what colour rather than what will fly!

Here are a few more shots of what the members brought along to amuse themselves with.

Even at the very start of the evening we had about 25 members ready and raring to fly as well as a few members of the public looking on from the nearby balcony.

Just some of the 'bling' on offer, loads of new stuff ready to take to the air.

Les's delightful 'old timer' style slow flyer just about to take to the air. Actually had a quite a turn of speed to it which made for some 'interesting' flight paths on occasion.

Nick Brehaut brought along a few different style models, here he is preparing an IFO style model whilst his son looks on to make sure dad is doing things right!

Andy Best's 'Huey' in camouflage scheme is a really good looking machine. I tried many times to get a good shot of it, even felt the rotor draft quite close on occasion, but still haven't got the sharpest of shots yet. One day eh Andy!

Shane Browning with his slow flyer. This model was beautiful in action and looked so easy to fly. Shane's usual attention to detail were evident in this finely turned out model.

Yet another table full of new toys - the Cessna and Citabrias are proving very popular, at least 6 were in evidence at the session. Likewise the Chinooks are showing how affordable indoor flying is becoming.

Steve Glass takes a few minutes out from flying his ever popular Cessna. Some of the varied models which were brought along are also on show here.

Les Le Prevost about to launch his 'ornithopter' style model. It looked quite unusual in the air and had bright blue LED 'eyes' which would be great for night flying. You can always rely on Les to come up with the more unusual models for sessions like these.

Nick prepares his Chinook for a sortie, and Andy takes the controls for the maiden flight. These models have excellent flying characteristics and are great to watch taxiing along a sports hall floor prior to take off. They are proving to be very popular and I'm sure we will have our own squadron very soon.

Andy at the controls, Nick watching to see how its done, and Julian showing a passing interest in the proceedings!

Dave Wilkinson flew lots of different models again this session, but this 'Shockie' style model was fitted with very bright LEDs which gave it even more interest. Dave does quite a lot of night flying, both fixed wing and heli; so these LEDs are the business when it comes to keeping things 'in the box'.

Talkling of Dave, he also gets called on quite a lot to test fly new machinery, here it is one of Mike Burton's new choppers - a Mini Pred, getting the Wilkinson treatment....

You can almost hear Dave saying ....

"I think I'd better concentrate with this one"

"Phew.. hairy little beast that one... thanks Mike!"

And finally... no indoor session would be complete without the unusual 'landing sites' which the members seem to be magnetically attracted to. Ben spent a little while disentangling his 'Shockie' from the basketball hoop and Andy's little Cessna refused to budge from its resting place until I climbed up the apparatus and 'persuaded' it to release its hold. No damage done to either aircraft which just goes to show how resilient these little models are.

Once again a superbly attended session and much enjoyed by all. Looking forward to see what the March 5th session holds in store.