GrumpyGnome

We're quite a small club - around 33-36 members typically. The vast majority of our members are retired - some recently, some for many years. We've had multiple articles in local papers/magazines, and stands at local events, but I think all new members in the last 5 years have come from word of mouth or via BMFA club finder.... a number are returnees to the hobby. We've had many discussions about attracting new members but struggle. Agree with comments re youngsters - we only have 3 juniors, 2 under 10 (1 an occasional flyer on his dad's buddy box), and one teenager who can rarely get to the field as he lives a fair distance away and is reliant on his father being willing to give up a day off work to stand in a field with people he has little in common with.... we have minimal facilities! Also agree with comments re membership types. I think in 4 1/2 years, I've only met about a dozen of our members - some of these only once. It's a busy day at our field if there are 3 flying!

Excellent! Onwards and upwards.....

Given the appalling standard of driving often seen, an annual test might be a good idea!

Things I'd ask: Where are the 'rules' re flying areas - if they are not in a web site, you should ask for a copy What are the safety rules - ditto What are flying restrictions, e.g, no i.c. before 10:00, no turbines between June and September - ditto Who usually flies when Who are the instructors Who do you contact if you have a query, and how do you contact them What social/non flying events are there Do members let each other know when they are visiting the field; if so, how Then, feel free to ask specific things about specific models - whatever you want to know. Usual etiquette applies - e.g. don't monopolise anyone so they get no flying time, don't distract anyone flying/starting engines, only touch what you own (unless invited), don't ask multiple people the same questions (tricky one this!)

This final round of group games has been 1000 times better than the earlier rounds....

Have a look on some other forums as there are loads of user-created Phoenix models to download..... you'll also have Phoenix Builder to create/modify models.... e.g. https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2382571-User-Built-Models-for-PhoenixRC/page565#post50189829

Here's a positive for Banggood. I needed some 8x4.3 slow fly props. Afte an hour searching I found some at a UK retailer. Just over £2 a prop - delivery £8.95! Because while there is a postal dispute, they're only using couriers. I said I was willing to potential delays to use RM but they wouldn't budge. Resorted to Banggood. Ordered 5 for well under £2 each, free shipping. Ordered on Wednesday morning last week, they arrived yesterday (8 days from China)!

To Totally agree. No big deal. Conspicuity, if/when it arrives, may be a different kettle of fish! If it does arrive, I'm 100% confident it'll be better than if we did not have BMFA fighting our corner.

Had a few recent issues with Couriers.... DPD messaged me to say my parcel couldn't be delivered because I was out and there was no 'safe place' to leave it...... transpired they tried the wrong house which didn't have a porch (my 'safe place'). Very helpful call centre immediately redirected the courier, and said that I could upload a picture of my house, so future couriers can visually check they have the right house. Evri tried a similar thing but the only way to contact them seems to be to comment on their facebook page - useless. Evri tried another parcel and left a card to say they'd tried to deliver but I was out, so they left my parcel in the bin (NOT my 'safe place'). I went outside to collect it and the courier was just getting into his van. I got there so quickly because 2 labradors tend to make a noise when something pops through the letterbox..... even more so when someone knocks on the door!

Nice! I'd have to hack a few inches off the nose to make it an 'A'. Replacing the lost balsa with lead! Then it'd weigh a ton though....😐

Lovely neat installation.....

Not on my phone, desktops, or Surface. Probably your browser setting has language set to 'English (American)'. Or your device....

Like everyone, they push the boundaries as far as they can. Little change there. Ferrari, as far as I know, have a different funding structure to all the other teams. Re Hamilton, everyone needs a little luck.... I reckon he'll do next year, and then call it quits, unless he has a competitive car allowing him to break Schumacker's title record. Alonso nearly as talented as Hamilon (outscored by his rookie team mate) but hampered by poor career choices. Not convinced re Button tbh. The whole Red Bull setup seems to be geared around their #1 diver - if there is a challenge, the management remove it (Danny Ric, Webber) which explains Vestappen and Vettel. Yes, SV outscores Lance, but would LS be here if daddy didn't own the team ? It's all subjective but to be a multiple champion, I think you need skill, a good car, a good team, and a little luck. YMMV! My team: Russell, Alonso, Shumacker (had Gasly for a while); Mercedes, Alpine, McLaren. Predictions ranged from great to appalling....

You're going to be so proud when it soars away from the hill. And rightly so - good job!

Well, serendipitously, today I started re-covering my SFM SE5, following its latest rebuild. This was the plane that was in this thread in 2020..... Adding some puncture resistance, this will be lam film, then doped on heavyweight tissue, then paint, with decals courtesy of self adhesive vinyl and my ancient inkjet printer.

Not an unexpected result. Well done England and USA........

Lol. Other non-oily extremities are available.................. toes!

Telemetry is a 'nice to have' but certainly not a necessity. I can't think of ANY telemetry that would be of any use as a learner..... it'd just be an unnecessary distraction. Re teaching yourself to fly on a sim, of course it can be done. As can the old 'go it alone' self teaching that happened before we had access to (semi) realistic sims... Quickest, cheapest route is, and always will be, to get an experienced flier to teach you. I'm pretty sure that's what you'd do when learning anything else...

🙂

Don't get cocky.... although you'll learn what sticks do what, imho it is NOTHING like real life.

Mebbe.... Mine's enabled/disabled by a switch to avoid unnecessary touching at the field..

Loads of places on East Yoks coast - feel free to come and visit us at Willy Howe near Filey. But beware, all the local beaches have dogs, irrespective of the time of day! Our field is open 24x7, 365.25 days a year.....

Out of curiosity, why use the DX for i.c. ?

Club house is nice but we never use ours except to store the safety fence, wind sock etc..... tbh it's not very welcoming, being an old caravan! Personally, I'd only ever use the electricity for charging - I believe any maintenance/repair needing electricity should be done at home, with full concentration. Presumably, club fees include electricity consumption/infrastructure maintenance? Flask and sanies does me fine so no need for kettle and microwave. Monthly event sounds good but don't underestimate he benefit of a club field that requires less travel - once you solo, the best thing for you will be maximum time in the air. Also, consider who's going to provide the best tuition...

If there's nobody about, why not fly from the beach but be aware... a) salt water and electronics don't mix well, b) sand and mechanical things (e.g. motors) don't mix well, c) you'll probably find more wind on the coast, d) dog walkers are EVERYWHERE at all times (at least on my local beaches.....).