FilmBuff

I have a Pulsar Pro electric glider that requires the nose cone (complete with motor, battery ESC etc) to be slid of each time you want access to the large 3S 4200 mAH battery. Then you have to disconnect it from the ESC (due to a connector arming configuration) before it can be charged - using a bullet to Deans converter. Quite a faff. I use a balance lead extender into the wing pylon so I can check the status of the battery - and was wondering if I could slow charge the battery in situ via the balance lead. The Pulsar is so good that I have only charged the flight battery once. After three flying sessions and around three hours of flying the battery is still showing 80% charge.

Take a look at this F5J comp. As you lose points for altitude via the motor - you try and launch as low as possible to make the maximum time in 10 min slot. Edited By FilmBuff on 20/07/2019 12:07:19

Posted by Peter Jenkins on 20/07/2019 00:09:51: FilmBuff - the heading says thermal soarers and yet you have a hot liner in your video. Rather different don't you think? Don't get me wrong, I used to fly full size thermal soarers and it was a fantastic sport but have yet to fly model ones. Yep - as the others have said - no hotliners used in the making of this thread!

Posted by Speedster on 19/07/2019 09:19:18: Not boring Arthobby Silent 3,4m Cheers Soren I Love watching your videos - especially the ones flying from the sand dunes on the beach

Posted by Shaun Walsh on 17/07/2019 13:32:05: Of course thermal soaring can be fun, hours of pleasure can be had looking for them after the overambitious use of a strong thermal Agreed. Still my favourite aspect of model flying. Love powered scale and aerobatics etc - but picking up lift at low level and working it up is just the best.

Old thread I know - but I have just bought one of these second hand. Looks absolutely gorgeous!

Posted by kc on 03/07/2019 12:49:24: The point is that hobby shop owners & staff are more enthusiasts than salesmen, so they are not like the commission salesmen who will do anything for a sale (e.g double glazing salesmen)   But then again - unless all LMS owners are doing it as a "vanity project" they have to make money to pay rent, but stock and provide for their families. We all buy things. Some of spend large amounts of money. So it's not about selling - but creating an environment and experience where customers are able and comfortable to buy. Big difference. Edited By FilmBuff on 03/07/2019 13:00:52

I agree with the OP. I spent a year working in Huntingdon and so visited a well known shop / online outlet. Over that 12 months - I would visit every two - three weeks or so to buy LiPos, props, glues, various bits of hardware etc. NOT ONCE was there any sort of engagement such as "what are you flying these days?" or "closed loop linkages, is that for a glider or small scale job". Nothing. Nada. No attempt to build any sort of rapport. No attempt to find out what my interests are in order to do some gentle selling or marketing. Don't get me wrong, there was no rudeness, it was well stocked and offered good value. But the whole experience was very flat and uninspiring and sort of indifferent. Same with a well known outlet on a Slough trading estate. My best face to face experience has been with Als Hobbies in Stony Stratford. I have only been there three or four times, but each time Al Senior has found time for a chat, asked me what I'm flying and when he'd seen I'd bought a fairly large amount of film covering, threw in an edge cutter free of charge.

The BMFA Scheme weekend is 2nd - 4th August. Demonstrations, practice and testing available. I plan to be there and do my A Test

Re my thread about how do Country Members obtain their A Certificate.... Here's my answer!

Posted by Bruce Collinson on 25/06/2019 16:44:45: FB, Ten of us sat/flew the A last Sunday. Lessons: Nail figures of 8 in all wind directions, and not pylon turns; ditto deadstick landings Learn the mandatory answers and have sensible knowledge of the BMFA Handbook Make sure your failsafe can be shown to work Listen to what you're asked to do. Very best of luck with it. BTC Good points.

Posted by Martin Harris on 25/06/2019 16:47:05: It's still worth getting an idea of the requirements. A clubmate who is an Area Chief Examiner, the local area scheme coordinator and a member of the review committee has commented that on several occasions he's had to fail extremely experienced and otherwise competent pilots because they didn't comply with the requirements of the tests due to insufficient preparation. Agreed - I have all the scheme docs/handbooks printed out with plenty of index markers! I also practice the A Test at every flying session.

Posted by Martin Harris on 25/06/2019 16:27:54: Film Buff, as you don't have access to an examiner or instructor you might benefit from watching this video as a guide to what's expected/involved in the test. You'll need to be familiar with the mandatory questions as well as the handbook and CAP 658 so if you're just turning up on the day to do the test, make sure you're prepared for them - the examiner won't be trying to catch you out - just to make sure you have a working knowledge of the contents. Edited By Martin Harris on 25/06/2019 16:29:56 Thanks Martin. Without wanting to grandstand - I can fly the A and B schedule with ease. It's the logistics of the assessment that I need help with.

Posted by will -0 on 25/06/2019 15:29:41: Hmm that's 47 miles from BMFA HQ at buckminster............ Seems like something that ought to be possible there. Edited By will -0 on 25/06/2019 15:42:54 That's what I'm thinking - I feel an email coming on.

Posted by will -0 on 25/06/2019 15:24:06: Roughly where in the country are you? You may find there's someone on here who could recommend a local friendly spot! Good point. I'm based in Northampton.

Posted by Percy Verance on 25/06/2019 15:17:40: To fly at an event with any public in attendance you will almost certainly need a "B" certificate. That is the BMFA's own recommendation. Thanks Percy. Not thinking of public displays, just fly-ins such as RCME and flying at Buckminster.

Despite 40 years flying experience - I've never got round to getting certified and these days I'm not in a club. So... What's the best way to get an A Certificate (other than join a club) so I can attend fly-ins and other events?

Posted by David Ashby - Moderator on 20/06/2019 20:00:18: FilmBuff - Graham has been talking to the BMFA so I've asked him to clarify. Hopefully I'll be back shortly. Tony - Likewise. Be great to see you if you're crossing the pond of course. David. Thanks David - I'll look out for the response.

Posted by Andrew Ray on 20/06/2019 17:28:55: I have the 2.5m Orion EV. Lovely kit and flies very well, I fitted a Hacker geared motor driving a 16" prop powered by a 3s 2200, it will climb vertically with ease and is capable of covering the sky quickly. Thanks Andrew. Re the blocks in the wings for the fuselage fixing. Does that mean you then have to drill them? Don't fancy that without a pillar drill... Re your wing finish. How durable and water resistant was applying lacquer direct to the veneer? I was toying with light weight glass cloth or film. Thanks for the info.

Being increasingly drawn to these range of gliders. Art Hobby Gliders Wondering of level of work is still to be done? I've seen old videos and build logs of people having to cut out cockpit apertures, cut foam away from the root for joiners, and sanding root and tip panels for dihedral etc. I think control surfaces are already hinged. None of this bothers me - just curious! Edited By FilmBuff on 20/06/2019 17:16:53

Before anymore nonsense is spouted about population growth (and its thinly veiled xenophobia) please watch this TED video by the late, great Hans Rosling. Hans Rosling TED Talk

I am a BMFA Country Member who has 40 years RC experience - but no formal A Certificate. It appears that the BMFA Centre does not stipulate an A Cert is required to fly there. You can guess my next question... The RCME event stipulates I need an A Cert to fly. I'd love to come along and take part - is there anyway this could be accommodated? Would someone be willing to stand next to me while I fly? Just wondering...

Posted by Doc Marten on 13/06/2019 18:30:56: Anything can be done, but when technology fails and you are running a company single handed a bit of understanding wouldn't go amiss. Agreed. I'm all for that. I know first-hand the stresses of being a one woman band.

Posted by Doc Marten on 13/06/2019 17:57:23: Posted by FilmBuff on 13/06/2019 17:46:07: My view is that small specialist retail and good comms / customer service are not mutually exclusive. To survive, model retailers need to be able to do both. That's a bit too black and white. Having read the comments above from the 2 retailers shouldn't a degree of tolerance be given to the smaller retaliers? Digital tools should make things easier. Notifications can be picked up on your phone and answered immediately. My wife makes bespoke jewellery and sells via Etsy and supplying galleries. She makes, markets, sells and despatches everything and prides herself on her speedy response to all queries at all times. It can be done.