Winter's Day on the Wrecker

 

The madness of model flying does seem to have you doing the daftest things. As I arrived at the wrecker with the North wind was really biting but I was treated to a Raptor being put through its paces.  The raptor must be the slippiest aerobatic models out there.

  I couldn't get a picture of my Falcon but with just 800g of ballast she was really ripping up the wrecker.  If the Wrecker hadn't lived up to it's reputation on landing I would have had 1,200k in next time.  There's not a better slope for rewarding turns that have you back on the racing line.  When the air when from good to great- so did the Falcon.

 Thanks to Andy who took this Falcon video, so much fun just flying fast and not worrying about how long!

Mike Evans was having fun with his Freestyler, unfortunately the Vantage of Andy B was going too fast for my camera. 

Bruce's Printed flying wings just look so much fun.  It was fantastic that as the number of pilots on the slope built up, models of all shapes and sizes were being flown and generating huge smiles- just chuck it off a hill!

An Ahi was one of the less expected models there but once Les got the hang of launching, it went really well.

Pilots are a hardy bunch and with the new range of head ware their looks are improving too!

Winter league- well we tried

   If part or the reason that we race is for the mates banter outside in the fresh air then Saturday's southern winter league certainly ticked those boxes. Unfortunately the wind just didn't come. 

  I did manage a bit of scratchy sports flying but that was about it. It is sods law that when other races have been cancelled I've found myself flying in good conditions but that's part of the sport. I'd still rather turn up and try. 

  Great to see JP enjoying his Saker!

A day in the welsh snow

 

  It was unfortunate that the Welsh winter league was cancelled this weekend but I had the urge to fly so I found myself clearing the frost from my car and setting off for the Bwlch.

  The aim was fun and so the I had 2 Falcons in the car.  I did question my sanity a couple of times (as did Slope dog).  But as the clag cleared from the Crest my smile grew.  it wasn't the strongest conditions and as the wind swung around I headed back to the back of the wrecker but without the pressure of the stop watch it was fun to experiment with different lines and turns.  The Falcon is great for that, I only had the sound of the model to judge how well I was doing, get it right and the Falcon seemed to respond with pace.

  A fun day that slope dog enjoyed, even if the family do question my sanity!

Sakers are Here

 I've been told by Neil at Flightech that the Sakers have landed.  I know he's very happy with the quality of the models.

The molding quality and detail is testament to the CAD skills of Mike Francis, translating a design into stunning reality.

 

First race of 2023 was a good one!

 

  The first race of the year and the first in a long time to actually get away.  A great day’s flying on Whitesheet with some good company.  The forecast hadn’t been great so the entry was down, it would have been very easy for Graeme to call the whole thing off but this is the winter league and you have to expect that you’re going to need your sportbrella.  When I arrived at the hill I was greeted with some blustery but pretty ballistic conditions so I just couldn’t help ballasting up the Falcon and screaming around the sky.  I had always planned to race my prototype Saker, but the Falcon in those conditions is like a shot of expresso.

  As the rounds went by, my thumbs started to remember how to fly a course, although the conditions changed quite dramatically at times, punctuated by the rain showers.  Graeme was out of site quite quickly and it was exciting to see William’s commitment to EM turns through the rounds.  This is something that I’ve been using more in bigger conditions. 

  After telling myself to fly smoothly and try to focus on speed rather than hitting the bases I still managed to lose 2 rounds with cuts- I’m a slow learner.

  But a fantastic and fun day- for those who decided not to come- you missed a good one.

Stormy maiden

 Nope, not a row at home but between the current storms the new Saker I have just completed was taken out.  Stiff, strong and stable the Saker was soon scooting round the sky.  A few landings and tweaks were made and indeed more ballast progressively added.  I think the production Sakers are around 300g lighter than the first one- this is the weight of one of the ballast slugs I use.

  The one other pilota daft enough to be out commented on just how set the Saker looks in the air.

  A shower forced me back to the car and the opportunity to change to a loaded Falcon- well you have to have some fun don't you!  

  Too cold and wet for pictures but a huge smile on my way home and that's definitely a great way to ed the year.  Home to see you on a slope on 2023!

Last thrash before christmas

  Between the showers the chance to get out and thrash the falcon was not going to be turned down.

  I've been playing with different CG settings in different conditions. By replacing the front slug and and block as bellow- this made a positive difference to EM style turns in the 10-13mps conditions. Have a play yourself. 

  Slope dog andd me have probably had more time on slopes this year than recent years- I'm pretty sure she's still enjoying it!  Time on the sticks has always brought a smile to my face, the models have been a joy to fly in just about all conditions. 

See you in 2023!