03 October 2017
23 September 2017
end of season scratch
The last day of summer and turns out to be
a rather wonderful, if scratchy session
for sloping slackers.
It's as good as windstill when we arrive.
Charlie brings out the heavy gear and helps inflate a paraglider....
but he's soon getting blown backwards.
So it's time for some proper flying....
...and he's spotted fresh meat in the form of Simon's new combat wing.
The hunt.
But these chaps finally get it up, so it's time to reign in the fun....
....or maybe just go straight for the strings.
Failing that, call in reinforcements from off-world
in the form of Mothership....
...allied with some proper British hardware!
21 September 2017
15 September 2017
the end is nigh...
The European Aeronautical Safety Agency is one step closer to
outlawing our wonderful way of life on the hills.
The current draft ruling will mean that we will only be able to fly from club sites,
below 120 metres and with government registered models.
The only exclusion to this will be for gliders etc. weighing 250 grams or less.
The consultation period closes today 15th Sept 2017
EASA's email address is- npa@easa.europa.eu
ref- Notice of Proposed Amendment 2017-05 (B) and
Notice of Proposed Amendment 2017-05 (A)
proposal details can be found here-
The local MP for Thurnham is-
Please take the time to contact Mrs Whately (or your local MP) and make her aware of the
potential loss we are likely to suffer if (or more likely when) this legislation comes into force.
Don't just cut and paste, but maybe base you letter (or email) on the content below -
Dear Mrs
Whately
The European Aviation
Safety Agency is currently proposing extensive legislation to control the use of
commercial and recreational drones. Whilst on the face of
it this is a sensible idea, the current proposals will have far reaching
implications on the wider aero-modelling community of which I am a
part.
In fact the 'catch-all'
level of legislation currently proposed will destroy most aspects of the hobby.
This environmentally friendly activity encourages the development of
technical, design and constructions skills. It encourages physical exercise in
the countryside. It supports social interaction
between people from diverse
backgrounds and from a range of ages, from CEOs to plumbers and from children to
pensioners. It is a community that I have been part of for X years and have many long-standing and close friendships as a
result.
The area I have been
almost exclusively involved in is radio controlled gliding. Most of my flying
takes place on the North Downs at Thurnham just north of Bearsted
near Maidstone. This site is one of the premier locations in the UK and we have
a strong community of flyers who enjoy and support both the
activity, and each other. This location has been used for model flying for over
40 years.
We have an exemplary
safety record.
The new rulings aim to
control drones for reasons of safety and privacy (which I fully understand)
however if they come into force, they will be so wide ranging and
draconian it would become illegal for us to fly our gliders. The community based
around or hobby would disintegrate. The models that we
have painstakingly crafted
would become little more than match wood.
The European Union's
motto is 'Unity Through Diversity'. I can see little evidence of this within
these proposals.
Whilst I agree with the
spirit of what this ruling is trying to achieve, I see absolutely no reason why
models that use no autonomous or semi autonomous control systems, nor
carry cameras, should be governed by these
restrictions.
The safety record of
our activity speaks for itself.
All this legislation
will do is destroy a harmonious, environmentally friendly activity and the
diverse, enriching community that it has built up around
it.
Is there any way in
which you can help reduce the impact of their proposals? This hobby is a
harmless activity that means so much to myself and my fellow flyers. I
dearly hope that there is some way that we can continue enjoying it for many
years to come.
Kind
regards
11 September 2017
not much happening...
The flying just doesn't seem to be happening at the moment, so in frustration
we've taken up a new past-time of 'quiz nighting' (that's not a euphemism btw).
The local village event throws up an appropriate last place prize for team Goodwind-
Could that possibly be Thurnham off in the distance?
22 August 2017
16 August 2017
13 August 2017
spotted in Germany 2017 pt 01
Back by popular demand from Mrs Trellis in Nottingham, this season's 'spotted in Germany'
opens with some full-size action on the telly.
09 July 2017
spotted in Maidstone....
Come and visit White Horse Country Park, and enjoy the
complimentary aero-modelling advice service as part of the experience!
Funny how the Council's 'Visit Maidstone' web page doesn't mention
Scroll down the page in the link above to view a wide selection of arty shots.
02 July 2017
think this was thursday
A Thursday afternoon quickie....
...and we have the Duke of Sittingbourne in full attendance!
The Strega nestled in both the bosom of nature, and its new ownership.
In its natural element...
Charlie's happy with both the new glider and the carbon fibre 'tache
Note the dejected stance as the walk of shame begins...
We have increased dihedral (fence induced)!
A couple of splints and you'll be fine Duke!
The spy in the sky is ready.
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