The Saker cleans up across Europe!

   Today was meant to be a considered pause after a great weekend at the HoH.  I will do that justice soon but today looks to have been the day that all the league results are in for the UK and also the Eurotour.

John and his Saker has swept the board-.

  The British League climaxed this weekend, with JP edging out Mark Redsell in the final race.  For me a great summer in a range of conditions and slopes that has shown the Saker's versatility over the months.

The EuroTour- also a win for JP and the Saker.

Not sure what to say, it's been an education to see JP fly the Saker this year.  Practicing, setting up and learning the model.  

I can't think of better evidence of the Saker's quality and performance than such a dominant year's results.

Final weekend of the season

 I've made the trip up to the Hole of Horcum for the climax of the summer season. After races the top 2 pilots are separated by fewer than 5 points so even when my thumbs put the brakes on it should be a great contest to witness. 

 Its been over 10 years since my last flying visit here, that's been too long.  Simply a great place to spend a Saturday and even better when There's the company of other pilots. Ignore the sat NAV distance and the early morning - today feels worth it before the race. 

Storm force winds and Ballast

What a combination! the prospect of 30mph+ winds  and the opportunity to get out with the Saker should definitely not be turned down.  Flying is not all about racing between the bases and there's such a rush in ripping up the hill.  The Saker's lateral stability makes flying in rough air a dodle.

 I'm not sure that Slope dog was quite so pleased to be out in the wind!

A welsh Open victory!

 

  3 round wins and JP’s Saker takes the Welsh Open, following on from the English Open win I couldn’t be more proud of the model’s performance.  My thumbs on the sticks this weekend had the effect of slowing the Saker down, but even with the damp conditions this weekend I couldn’t help smiling.

  It’s not a small undertaking to produce a model design but when it comes off so well the rewards make it more than worth it.  Since JP switched to the Saker his domination of the league, English and Welsh Open races has been remarkable.  I cannot remember another example of 1 pilot and model being so dominant.

Hot day in Wales

   Although life and family commitments are making my Welsh open participation very doubtful, I wasn't going to miss the chance of a day out on Mickies.  I was slapping on the factor 30 and Slope dog was heading for the shade but such a glorious day.

  After focusing on the race winning Saker for the last few weeks I took the chance of flying my Falcon models.  I just love this model, in light air like today on a narrow edge it runs the edge so well but when I decided to head out and pick up some thermals, it's just so easy to read and centre the lift- can you tell I had fun?

  With the wind/ sea breeze in single figures all day the ballast stayed in the box but the Falcon does carry the energy so well.  My second model was a new model and test flight.  I fitted out the wing with the Flight tech hybrid LDS system and frames.  LDS servo arms linked to conventional horns.  Zero slop and excellent gearing resolution from the servos all adds to the model's performance.

Just a really good day!

Product development

   Just before English Open, the latest delivery landed.  Great fro me to be able to meet up with people at the English Open.  I did get the chance to take a picture of the new wing joiner.  The joiner will now allow for 12mm*8mm ballast.  Adding to the ballast held in the fuselage.

  I've never felt the need for more ballast once the Falcon or Saker are fully loaded but as JP loved his steel joiner, heres a much easier version.

Saker continues to prove itself as it wins the English Open

   The English open has become one of the fixtures in the F3F calendar and as a non league event has a special atmosphere.  The race showed just how many pilots are now capable of winning rounds and making the most of the air that they are given each round with a range of different models.

  I don’t think that there were any new models on show this weekend.

  Producing a model in my experience is by no means a quick or 1 man task.  12 months ago  I was able to hand over the first prototype Saker to the Dark lord for a flight at the end of day 1 of 2022’s English open.  There was a great deal of work just to get the model to that point. 

  Greg and subsequently JP’s feedback on the Saker was positive- the CAD work by Mike Frances is stunning and we have been working in conjunction with the manufacturer to improve the layup. This summer JP has started to campaign the Saker.  The South of England Euro tour and now the English open have been dominated by the Saker.

  Being able to see a model that you have put so much effort into deliver is a fantastic feeling.  This weekend’s English Open saw the Saker win 1 round in my hands and 8 I JP’s, along with the FTD and the overall competition by a mile. Perhaps my round win is an illustration of the Saker’s performance more than Johns!

  Thanks have to go to those member of the Whitesheet club who helped to put on such an excellent event.  I’ll post some pictures when I get the chance.