WE ARE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME EDWARD TO THE SQUADRON

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In the past he used to fly  mainly IC but nowdays he uses electric motivation for his models.

Ed hails from Bangor and he hopes to be visiting us at Kirkistown very soon.

TD43

WELCOME BACK ROB

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO SEE ROB BACK AFTER AN ABSENCE OF TWO YEARS

Rob brought along his trusty 'old faithful' and demonstrated he had lost none of his excellent flying abilities during his long 'sabbatical'.

TD43

VERY UNFORTUNATE FOR AN SBACH'S MAIDEN FLIGHT

I mostly post good news on this channel but alas, today is not one of those days.

Ian had his lovely 50cc Sbach along for a maiden flight but unfortunately things did not go according to plan.

After very carefully checking and re-checking the model, the time came to 'bite the bullet' and go for the maiden.

The take off was uneventful requiring only a couple of clicks of aileron trim but on the downwind leg the plane appeared to do some slow aileron rolls.  Looked as if Ian was doing the manouver as the rolls were tidy and slow.  But then the nose gradually lowered and in she went; crashed into the field.  Very, very sad.  Ian commented he "had no aileron or elevator control".

Ian will  examine the telemetary stored in the transmitter, and hopefully it may reveal what caused the accident.

We all have had a plane crash.  Some crashes are 'pilot error', but not in this case.  It is destressing and unsettling (especially with a model such as this) and if the cause cannot be determined, one's in for a few sleepless nights thinking, what could have possibly gone wrong!

The lads who witnessed the tragic loss of this lovely Sbach expressed their heart felt condolences to Ian.  Given time and a few stiff gins (?)  I'm confident the same man will bounce back with another 50cc'er.

TD43

IT'S GOOD TO SEE A FAMILY COME ALONG AND SEE WHAT WE GET UP TO

Yesterday Keith brought along his partner and the kids to watch he Yak and Tundra being put through their paces.

Young Kyle is a club member and 'had a go' flying the Tundra.  Cathrine and Page also participated and said "it was great"!

You guys can have two more trial flights and then it's 'make your mind up time'!

Hope to see you back soon and glad you enjoyed your day out at Kirkistown.

TD43

BIG WELCOME BACK TO KYLE

Kyle has re-joined and is hoping to get some practise in with his Dad's 'Grand Tundra'.

No better tutor than you Dad.  Hope you enjoy flying the Tundra.

TD43

A GOOD TURNOUT WAS RECORDED TODAY AND LOTS OF FLYING TOOK PLACE

A total of fifteen pilots came out of lockdown and enjoyed a lovely day's flying at Kirkistown.  Social distancing protocols were in place as was the free hand sanatiser kindly gifted by the Area.

Today saw a variety of models put through their paces including petrol, glow, electric and a jet.

The 'Be Flyer' had his 'naughty' Dauntless along for a trial flight after Mark fitted vortex generators on the wings. 

The Dauntless would tip stall easily at the point of flaring so Mark hoped the VGs would help to tame the bird.  They appeared to have worked.  You can see the small red VGs on the leading edge towards the wing tips.

Video:           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOyFXlMmToM

TD43

STEVE SOLVES HIS TRANSPORT PROBLEM

A stunning trailer which will carry Steve's 120cc model whenever he gets it!

Steve will customise the interior for his specific requirements

Not quite enough headroom mate!

Super job     -       Brand new from the manufacturer

TD43

THE MUCH ANTICIPATED PATIO DOORS WERE INSTALLED IN THE SHELTER TODAY

First - Some cladding is removed

Steve has all the tools and the working drawing in his head!

Now Steve can now see what he's working to

A couple more pieces of tubing to be removed

In goes the frame

Now the glazing panels - triple glazed no less!

David the window cleaner gets to work

A very big thank you to Steve and David for all their hard work. 

TD43

FIRST OUTING AFTER 'LOCKDOWN'

TWO MODELS MAIDENED

The 'Be Flyer' brought along his new Cub with a nice little 4-stroke fitted.  After a 'wobble' on take-off, Mark managed to get things under control and flew the plane in a lovely scale-like manner.  The Cub is out of the VQ stable and represents excellent value for money.

Next up was Taildragger's 20cc 'Slick'  It's a Goldwing model of just reasonable quaity and doesn't measure up to Pilot RC standards.  (But at least the wings stayed on!!)

Not having flown for many weeks I got my chief test pilot Keith M, to do the maiden.  I noticed his hands were trembling on the Tx!!  Not suprising though.  The responsibility and all that!

The model didn't handle well and we put this down to the C of G being too far forward.

Six pilots turned out and we all agreed we had a great comeback into the sport.

TD43 

A BIG WARM WELCOME TO MICHAEL WHO HAS JOINED US AT NDMAC

Michael is a 'Drone-man' and obtained his licence to operate a drone commercially, the PfCO.
(A Permission for Commercial Operation)

Formally, a flight test engineer at Short Bros, and laterally a retired 747 captain, now Michael has plenty of time on his hands to persue the hobby and maybe take up flying fixed wing aircraft. (Eh Michael?)

Michael hails from Belfast and we look forward to seeing him down at the field as often as possible.

TD43