Just waiting on the post now!

 Yep, the fuselage and tail are still a work in progress as I'll play with different boom lengths on real slopes but that's a lovely looking test model heading this way (I'm very Biased)

Falcon soars at the welsh winter league

Just because I have been enjoying flying them so much lately I decided to take 2 Falcons to race at the Welsh winter league.  Its been a while since I raced a 100inch model, it's a size that has held the world record twice since I have been racing.

  The air was light for most of the day but built for the last 2 rounds.  As I'll be away for the February race league position is not a consideration so my aims were to try and fly some EM style up turns and anticipate the turns so the speed can be carried through the turn. 

 With only 1 cut I think I was able to spot the bases and 2 rounds where I was only just pipped to the round win I must have been doing something right.  The Falcon certainly proved itself to be competitive.  The up turns felt comfortable up wind but I've got a lot of work to do on the down wind version.

  9 rounds was a fantastic day's racing, regardless of what the times are, a day's competitive flying is one of the best ways to learn.  Having a model that you can trust and predict makes this so much easier.   

Winter progress

 Working on a new project in the winter is one of the aspects of flying I love the most.  Being able to do that as a moldie probably makes me very lucky and spoilt.

  The new 3m wings have just popped out.  After finishing and polishing they should be on their way to me soon for some thrashing on the slopes.

Next to a set of 100inch Falcon wings.

News after the latest race

   This weekend's southern winter league race proved to be a great opportunity to meet up with some friends as well as fly in some very interesting and challenging conditions.  I've been flying in some huge air lately but with damp air and tricky conditions this was never going to be the case.

  The Harrier did just what you'd expect- handled well tracked easily and delivered some very competitive times.  I've been flying the Harrier and Falcon models almost exclusively for around 2 years now, just because of how much  enjoy flying them.  But the effect of simply knowing your model cannot be over stated.

  Very unusually my Jeti transmitter jammed 'on' after my first flight.  Despite it being new years day I was able to speak with the UK dealer and get re-assurance that although it would need to be returned for repair it would see the day out safely.  Thanks Bernie!

Sorry no pictures from the race but perhaps even more exciting to me than a damp day on Whitesheet, the new 3m wing molds have been polished up and the prototype wings should be coming out soon.

  I just have to start coming up with a name now- the Kids suggested Tui!

Storms blowing the cobwebs away

 With the weather conspiring against the wolliebacks this year it was just my best mate and me on the slopes today.  The storm blowing through the UK had the wind over 50mph and was a great excuse to get the Harrier over 4kg. 

  With the conditions turbulent and often far more blow than go there's a lot of inertia to handle. It wasn't until the 3rd dog walker had passed me and told me they thought it was too windy for flying that I realised just how much I trust the Harrier. 

  When the air did come good- she was away and screaming. 

  After a couple of hours slopedog was starting to look less than happy and so it was time to head back- very happy!

A genuine first for me

   Another trip up to Lilleshall this week end gave me the chance to pop across to the Mynd for a fly.  Last time was a warm sun kissed day and light winds- this time saw my car warning me of possible ice as I passed walkers out trying to convince themselves that the gale was good for them.

  Pole Cott has always provided my with smooth lift and as I passed the pond towards the hill the wind became less turbulent- a more settled gale.  Car packing space had the Falcon as my only toy.  What was a first was that it was a genuinely big lift day!  Keep that speed up and the limiting factor seemed to be the cold on my thumbs!

  Launching in these conditions is never easy, its at times like these mat my resistance to pencil thin fuselages really helps and she launched each time without incident.  With more than enough air I had a good time playing with different turns and elevator application.  

  The Falcon seems to like more of a vertical component in the turns than I have been used to  with the Harrier.  This encouraged me to use a lot of the sky and move away from the reversals it's so easy to fall into.  In recent weeks I've been firming up the elevator response, with relaxed non competition thumbs it's great to be able to feed more elevator in during an 'up turn'.  The Falcon just loved these turns- the pace felt much higher.  It was a shame the locals were scared off by the cold😀

  A cold but happy day!

The next developement continues

 Polishing up a set of wing molds is not a quick or fun part of develping a new model. It could be a long job but I can't wait to see the result of these!