Erfolg
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Posts posted by Erfolg
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As others, Webbies became my LMS. From a situation of being spoilt for choice 25 years ago, to Webbies, 60 miles away, 120 round trip.
I was convinced that Webbies would out last me, providing outstanding service. At the first floor level I would spend an hour or so with the farther (I think) chatting, whilst he wrapped mail order parcels. From the ceiling hung many FF scale rubber models. The stock being very comprehensive.
Often, together with my wife we would head onto the high street to one of the modern Gastropubs, all part of the experience. There was one day not to go, that was the day when the ship was closed and Market Day.
It is a surprise, what with Ripmax, or is it Budget related. At the end of the day, a worthwhile profit is required to keep trading. I can only surmise, that there are not enough of us, or some other issue. Why, because Webbies were outstanding, in all respects. They had no challengers in the North West of England.
Now there is Leeds remaining for the whole of the North of England, with similar standing.
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I have not as yet printed out the Accounts. From previous experience of examining the accounts, some of the entries although 100% have been numerically accurate, where they have been placed in the accounts, were potentially contentious, as to where allocated. Detail and challenge are necessary.
The fall in membership is a clearly established trend, for the near future. The BMFA has endeavoured to broaden its membership pool, from Model Hot Air/ Gas Balloons and more recently Quad types. Many in our movement have tried very hard, particularly with respect to young modellers. The numbers continue to decline.
I personally believe a detailed 5 year plan to manage the future issues, together with the alternative choices is necessary. It is obvious that the organisation is facing challenges, many at present not apparent. A historic problem has been that those who identified near time issues have to often been portrayed as being anti BMFA or just scaremongering. The future for the BMFA could be a very small organisation, perhaps as small as I imagine the BCU (British Canoe Organisation), although this is not necessarily the destination.
As for membership fees, it is a difficult subject, you cannot decided that a £400 fee from the current membership would solve the immediate problems, the result could be even less members. Nor would reducing fees by half gain any significant members. An Elephant In the Room, are fees such as CAA. For the majority of clubs, fees are necessary for them to exist, although some hold there own land, others peppercorn sums, yet others thousands over a short periods.
The concept of a NFC should not be sacrosanct. IMO it is the BMFA that is what members pay for, that is insurance and representation
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I have now finally made it to our field, the first time in weeks, perhaps a month. The track is now dry and graded, no sign of the deep mud, and grooving.
When I arrived there was just one other club member, flying a Wot 4, possibly (certainly) by far the best flyer in the club, the flying confirmed this view.
The weather was dark, dull sky, no apparent wind.
I had brought my newly acquired DB Mascot, to undertake range check. I was far more concerned tha is usual, as I was given the Rx, belonging to a member who had departed us. It functioned without issue. My two other models, struggled with the damp grass, although quite short. This struck me as odd, my granddaughters hocky pitches are all watered to make the pitches play faster. There was a wind, from the south, 90 degrees across the field, masked by the trees behind and parallel to the flight line.
By now, another competent flyer had arrived with two very large scale models. Both are impressive, as was the flyers flying.
A third also arrived, setting up for Bon Fire night. There was a passing comment that Webbies are closing.
On this dismal note I went home. Now the local shop, is in Leeds. Oh well!
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The farm track down to our field remains questionable to me, although the issue is really the return trip, uphill that is the issue. I now recognise that the traction control on the rear wheels, seems to work well, it is the steering that caused me the most angst.
On Wednesday, that is a club meeting day. I was not there.
Some time back I had been sold a second hand DB Mascot, the reality is it was given. I expected a bare shell, what was delivered to my house, complete with servos, and a engine. I had envisaged supplying all these things, instead I received a modern OS 40 (with remote needle assy. You may wonder why a dedicated electric flyer would want a Mascot. Nostalgia!
What Nostalgia? wanting to fly at Greenacres, way back, when "mass Builds" were supported by RCM&E. I needed an "A" cert, my electric did not have the flight time to complete, the schedule. The Sale club had a enhanced test, it required two consecutive loops, two low passes, probably a few other elements. The why, there is the Mersey, almost ox bowing the site, complete with a river siren, I think she is called Lowerie. Then their is a river side jungle of Himayian Balsam, finally came a a belt of surrounding trees. You needed to manage these issues, hence a training regime, for what is a magnificent flying site.
One of the club trainers, Paul took pity on me, he lent me a club trainer, a DB Mascot, plus be tried to get rid of all my competitive glider guider habits of flying directly at myself when landing, bringing the model close to me, landing fast (hitting the landing circle). He took the time to understand, why, and for power flight these habits were and are not acceptable.
The superb characteristics of the model generated nostalgia.
On that note I am now in the garden, getting that motor to run. I had fixed numerous air leeks from the new fuel tube, raised the tank. purchased a glo starter, a starter motor, battery, a bit box fuel carrier, plug spanner and so on.
Most surprisingly, this time it stated first time, went from tick over, to full power. I ran the set up for about 5 minutes. Then i realised, i did not know how to go from tick over to stop, without a rag. The trim did stop it though.
I am almost ready to go power flying, I am still electric for ever.
I will need input from club members, avoiding the tinkers and experts.
Not a day/afternoon wasted though, at my field. Quite chuffed in a small way
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Although a few weeks back, afternoon/one evening many thousands of Geese flew over our house, to the reed beds on the south side of the Ribble, now I suspect most have moved on. Why, do i think this? Most years I have seen groups of hundreds flying locally during the day, generally a bit lower, manly it is there direction of flight.
So far this year I have seen or heard perhaps two groups.
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9 am? I thought that time had been abolished! Ungodly hour.
It could not be 9 pm, it is dark here and the witches are out on Pendle Hill.
No, 10.00 - 13.00 hrs is flying time.
A number of the Golf courses are closed here, due to water logging, no trolleys allowed, even with winter wheels. Although Royal Lytham seems to be open.
I will be remaking enquires as to, is the farm track passible by proper vehicles, that is rear wheel drive (how I now regret my wife selling her occasional 4 wheel drive Beemer, now drives one of those cars that you get in on your hands and knees and stare at the hub caps of buses). Wellies are in the back of my car, together with 2023 years mud, up to the knee, fur hat, survival winter jacket. Being a tuf, Cheshire lad, no need for flying gloves, just extra thick thermallite, for standing about.
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Simon
am not c
I have a Bf 110, used ti have a twin Delta (which you may have seen) moderating a twin is something that in itself not new, to me. At present it is not the issue.
What I am not comfortable with is DF, that really means I have no experience, or real knowledge.
As suggested (I think by Leccyflyer and our working background) I like simple solutions. In this case limited capability, seems the starting point.
I have received much useful information from these posts already.
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My interpretation of your post Leccyflyer, is that a quad is potentially OK, although offering more than is necessary.
Boats, car and truck could be an issue having potentially a reverse function as part of the throttle range, without being switched in some way?
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I am building a Df model that has 2 ESCs, although I do not think having two is an issue.
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I require two ESCs, that are essentially required to act as a full power switch, then provide course throttle control, along the lines 2/3rd maybe half.
On the intranet I find many ESCs that appear to fit the bill. In that they have 3 wire motor wires, and a 3 wire Rx lead.
What appears that it may be an issue is that they are described along the lines, as for car, for truck, for boat, for Quad, non seem to say fixed wing use.
Do these applications differ materially from my purpose or model aircraft requirements
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Life for the other half, is so different for many other of us. Yep, today is a club day, really a scheduled club evening, time and resources set aside for training for the BMFA achievement scheme. I go just after lunch, that use to be dinner, before the better half re-educated me into, dinner is now LUNCH, lunch is now dinner, I think I have got it it.
Anyway, it is now 12.00 hrs, the rain is bucketing down, not that it matters. The club field is no longer accessible to me, the track remains unusable to my high performance, 10 year old diesel car. It must be high performance as it it rear wheel drive, and I recently found my driving gloves, mixed in my gardening gear. The other aspect to the situation is our field is seldom mowed at this time of year, as it is knee deep with water, trapped on the clay substrata, the mower gets bogged down.
How the other half life, 😢.
When I do fly my aged models often show their age. My 45 year old stalwart, is beset with issues, Just like Triggers (Only Fools and Horses) brush, it needs to be fixed from unpredictable time to time. This time (actually last time) all the controls worked nicely, out on the field, the motor did not respond to opening the throttle, no reassuring beeps etc. This has happened before, rearming had previously solved the problem, then dismissed as one of those things. Nowt doing on this glorious day though. From a a similar occurrence on a 10 or so year old, reduced scale "Nobbler", finally traced to a defunct motor, having replaced the ESC. At home I systematically substituted all these items. Only finally finding that the issue actually was the motor bullet connectors, in cleaning them a little, the old system worked perfectly. Now I ponder have really cleaned, the oxide film? Or, what?
I had one half of the elevator, part company with other in flight, the week before, as it separated from the wooden torque dowel. It made itself known by going out of longitudinal trim, by heading earthwards. the balsa adjacent to the dowel letting go.
Together with brittle polymer issue on another oldish model, so far this year I have been lucky. What did surprise me though that an original Kavan (from the same packet), flat pin hinge, that I thought I could use also useless, being brittle.
Luckily (so far ) my new Delta is now sorted.
Now, I just await the track to be improved, the field returning from a quagmire, then "Alles ist in ortnung", a Christmas Market beckons shortly.
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Last week was the last time I have flown, something approaching Deja Vu passed through my mind as I started the journey home.
Firstly the track down to the field, had been churned up by tractor trailer combinations. Although it was an uphill struggle ahead. Traction control seemed to take care of drive, the front however was following the furrows made by the farm machinery. I believe that the club committee, are evaluating what can be done. Th incessant heavy rain that contributes to problem, in conjunction with harvesting and re-seeding. Happens each year, although earlier and more server than previous years.
Although between the rain downpours, there are long periods of sunny periods, But the strength of the wind is not conducive to flying.
The article by Ricard Lines in the RCM&E about the Sale club, rekindled memories. As a youth, much of the area was urban, backing onto the Green Belt, fields. The Boys Grammar, was on a dirt track leading towards the flying field, then a low level flood plain, being used as a rubbish trip. The school and playing fields now housing, the Green Belt, now an Manchester Overspill, further across, Manchester United and Sale Shark training grounds. A Motorway and spur road and other developments now surround what became Sale flying club. I now fear that the new Moss Road, built where I now live will provide the excuse, to turn farmland into more housing, in conjunction with power lines and so on.
I am now waiting in anticipation of once more going flying. I can no longer fly from the beach due to the CAA restrictions.😢
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Hmmm, I have seen (as others in the club) what appears to be a Spitfire, in a low level circuit to Blackpool (airport). It does not sound like a Merlin, it has been suggested that it is a Griffon.
There is a Spitfire project and visitor exhibits their. I did and have wondered if it is related. As with most things on your door step, have not, nor any other club members as far as I am aware visited it. After all it is Blackpool, as many on the Fylde Coast, I see it as another land, and there be Dragons.
Perhaps a coincidence or in some way related?
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Karl, where did you get the down load for the Jupiter Coupe?
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Payneib (has it a hidden meaning), I would expect that the navy records will have concentrated on a relatively narrow criteria. Mainly coastal data, often being a subjective judgement, such as stiff breeze, until the Beaufort scale, again not totally definitive. Water conditions being another area.
We have had CO2 levels double the current in the age of dinosaurs, no ice caps, deferent fauna, also an Ice Age. In the middle ages many vineyards apparently in the UK.
With the Global Warming, I have come to see many Deep Thought projects, will the answer be 42?
I do know that the wind and rain at present are spoiling my own fun. Although my Tomatoes are now ripening.
I had a similar experience with my own Delta, although my experience resulted in a perfectly flat spin. It became apparent what had happened, fiding one prpp assembly missing, no other damage.
Ealy morning, we have had prolonged Hailstone, followed by heavy rain. I am being sopped from playing by wind, no, no, not me, real wind, strong breeze to moderate gale.
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As this thread appears not to have been updated for some time, I hope I am not taking liberties in seeking help on my attempts with the TN A10.
I am having difficulties in understanding how the N3 outriggers to be attached to the N1 &2, there appears to be a sticky out bit on one end, which appears to be let into the ring, the other end appears to be surface mounted? Plus how is, or what is the template for setting up the angle of the rings relative to the body?
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Hmm, must be a bad boy, my post now needs moderator approval.
Anyway, it could be the weather, it could be just club members, we now have a proliferation of large Tundra type models, you know the type, 19 inch, low profile tyres, tabulators on the wings.
I have been sceptical with respect to many of the assertions with respect to UK weather. I remember with clarity a long hot summer in the 70s, massive thunderstorms in some years and so on. Many of the figures used are based on resent times, when records started to be noted centrally, not all figures used the same standardised methodology. Some values taken from tree rings and so on. Not as definitive as presented.
I di read a little way back that during the 1800s, a amateur scientist took daily readings, using his standard methodology. His records and diaries have recently been discovered. They suggest that little has obviously changed, by a margin worth noting.
Non the less, glaciers seem to be retreat at present.
Last week I read that a (world) wide magnetic field has been discovered, that is thought to have a significant impact on the jet stream. To a far greater extent than Sun Spots.
Non the less, it feels windier than ever, here on the coast, this year it has rained a lot and has been cool enough to kill my Dahlia rhizomes, Geraniums, that had previously survived 7 winters.
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Standing at the French Window I was looking out as the rain came down just like the those olden stair rods. Today was to have been the club RC Scale flying competition. I guessed it was cancelled or club members at the field were huddled under the club house veranda or inside.
On Saturday the field was in exceptually fine condition, the grass as short as on all the local bowling greens, the ground as firm as a well prepared cricket pitch.
Although I have flown this year less than ever, over the year I had brought my Delta into a good flying condition, although I still rely on others to toss the model into air, I had felt that it was near to me self launching. My RC Nobler was finally flying once again with all the issues that had recently dogged it gone, another model that I once agin edging back to self launching. My own design model was now a predictable flyer. Unexpectedly my Sterling kit Fairchild PT 19 that was playing up, this must have been its first flight post the start of Covid, non the less it landed in one piece on the strip, after a very short potentially underwear soiling flight.
Now summer sems to have gone after short duration, has winter arrived, missing out Autumn?
At long last the replacement Moss road has been finished, it is good. Driving along it the other day, my wife informed me that controversy had now started over the interconnector to the offshore wind farm under construction, to the local distribution facility that now is visibly across the fields. I had assumed it would be a buried cable, watching a light aircraft making a landing, I am no longer certain, as it was quite high as it descended towards the runway. Thankfully it is at the other end of the town where we live. I can now get to the field much easier again, although the area is plagued with road works, in an essentially rural area.
Roll on summer!
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Anyone who read Sundays Telegraph will have seen a large photograph of the Red Arrows that were displaying at the Blackpool air show, as they flew over the North Beach of Saint Anne's. The picture looks down on a group of 4 or 5 aircraft, onto the beach, sand dunes, probably a little of the Old Links golf course.
We (better half and the dog) were sat on the Sand dunes, probably one of the dots.
The weather was perfect, what cloud there was being at a very high altitude. Vapour trails from passenger jets, being clearly seen, as they made there way to North America.
At 14:hrs the red Arrows commenced their display. Many of display manoeuvres passed directly over the dunes and beach. A vapour trail heart, hung in the brisk air for what seemed like forever. The Arrows display seem to be especially great from some distance. Having being temporally stationed at Blackpool Airport, the air display seemed to be going on non stop for ever.
Next out was a Catalina, which passed over very low, as it climbed out from the airfield. My wife was most impressed with majesty of the all white aircraft.
From time to time the Avia Albatross (as seen on TV) passed over, although not unusual, being resident at Blackpool.
A low drone was heard, somewhere in the distance, the noise grew louder, then the aircraft was evident head on, reaching us, it banked, the full angled profile was then evident as it passed very low over us. My wife said, was that a Lancaster, I told you it was, you think I know nothing.
Not long after a air display team of Van 9s flew along the coast before doing there thing.
Then a couple Chipmunks in differing liveries, before a Pitts appeared. The Pitts being so small could not be clearly seen over Blackpool, probably about 5-7 miles away. A dot, a smoke trail showing where it had been. Its schedule was long, ranging from almost sea level to heaven.
In the distance out to sea just on the horizon i could see that the drilling platform for Wind Turbines has returned, well to the south. I could not but wonder that where the power cables are scheduled to come ashore is probably 10-15 or more miles from where the platform presently is. I have read that the inland route is mired in controversy, as it appears to pass between the airport and golf links. Could the real contention be in what form and route it then tales to an existing distribution facility some 5-10 miles away.
It was then 16:30 or may be 17:oo hrs, time to go home along the South Promenade (lytham St Annes). How many were in Blackpool is anyone's guess, some suggesting some 100,000, there were more than enough in our neck of the woods (or sand dunes).
What incredible weather, great air show and away from Blackpool was the place to be enjoy it all. The one fly in the ointment (if that is still acceptable) was that the North Beach Cafe/Restaurant was closed, so no handy place for a beer.😢
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Many thanks for all your contributions.
Many of the references that you have found, alluded me. I found references that alluded to at least some of the definitive references many of you found, although no links or specific resources were provided.
Very well done and many thanks.
The story has moved on since then.
I managed to get another modeller to have a go with the model( I perhaps should explained it is a second hand model, that belonged to a departed club member). We both accepted what ever happened for the worse, was one of those things.
Things did not go as well as I had hoped, but not anywhere as bad as they could. The model took of OK, but continued to climb, no amount of down trim or full down stick input stopped the problem. Luckily due to a strong head wind, with model on low power and or shut off motor, the model landed at the end of the strip. It was found that the grub screw gripping the thin wire, was not. Luck had it, that a kink in the wire limited how far the wire could move. The screw was tightened further, this time on take of the model was not pleasant to fly. At this point the model was taken home.
A proper examination indicated that there was a false elevator neutral. further examination indicated that the issue was/is related to the tube and wire. After getting out a "snake", after a lot of consideration, I decided that it was a better bet than as the installed system, yet hmm, not great. A nights sleep, i decided that a rear servo, short push rod would be better still. That is where I am at.
The model initially had a problem in that a wind servo mounting had come loose, allowing the servo to move substantially. I installed an additional, thicker Ply mounting face. The model also had elevator issues. Which I thought I had solved using a new Metal Geared servo. I was wrong.
I know that the Wot4e flies well, as I see so many, well behaved, models that others commit to the vagaries of all weathers. I will get there.
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For the moment I am setting the CG at 70mm, as it appears that this is pretty much the accepted starting point, that the manuals 60mm was a very safe location.
I am even thinking that the comment that the model could re-kit itself, was due to a very far forward CG, that made the model difficult to handle, in anything but very favourable conditions.
A quick calc indicates that 25% is at 63.5mm, that (my often normal except on scale, often small tail plane areas) of 30%, is at 76.2. Where as on line CG calculator indicates that 55.372 is easy handling and at 81mm a very responsive model.
I am particularly nervous due to my short time of ownership has been fraught with incidents. From a aileron servo detaching from the ply plate (the servo was not the original it seems) and the elevator failing to respond. How much is a result of my own actions, after a check out, is another matter.
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I have continued my search for a definitive CG position for the Wot4-E foamy.
I came across a RCM&E recommendation by the Servo shop which suggested that the CG should be between 80-85mm. Of course I moved on and can no longer find the reference. I am not quite sure that we are talking about the same version, as there are so many Wot4s variants.
I have also come across some that (could be many) suggesting that 80mm is correct.
One that suggested that any further back than 60mm results in re-kitting.
With so many successfully flying, there being so many variants, I do not know where a reasonable, starting position should or could be.
I am reluctant to set at 60mm as a very forward position can result in a model that needs a lot of up, more importantly if in a dive, or anything, the model tends to want to keep on doing what it is doing. Then snapping into its new inputted heading (eventually).
Please offer your own experiences, as there are so many Wot4s out there.
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I am just finishing repairs on my Wot4E foamy after an incident.
I am stumped with respect to the CG position. The wing has a number of lines drawn on it presumably indicating where the CG could be.
Trying to establish what a viable CG position is, where re-kitting is not the result, I found references to a number of positions, ranging from 60mm, then 70mm and 80-85mm. Can they all be optimal.
In short, what are forum members set at?
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As so many, I am a granddad, I have been one for some 18 years now. As time has gone by their demands have increased, increasingly with respect to time. Since Covid opportunities to go flying have decreased, more recently due to weather. With rain or high wind.
Saturday was one such day, baby sitting two of them, whilst the younger was attending/competing at a hockey tournament over two days. For Sunday I stamped my little feet, went all petulant. I guess this is familiar to others.
The new, or reconstructed road, has been opened on the last day of July as promised. The alternative road has now been closed. The new road is really nice, on that basis I arrived at the club site in a good mood. Strangely the car park was unusually pretty full. Approaching the flight line I discover that there is a BMFA Scale event taking place. Hmm, if I get a flight, I will be lucky. Those present were not convinced however much squinting that my trainer type is a very stand off scale Piper Club.
I sat down with others, barracking our cub members taking part. I quite enjoyed the process, I am not sure that the recipients felt the same. Makes a change to be the centre of the joking. It was pretty apparent what was not perfect with some of the competitors, although I would not even achieve the standard that they were achieving.
There was an adjournment for lunch of 30 minutes. During this time I had my flight. That was before the hooligans, zipped about the sky with their missiles.
The comp restarted, as before drizzle set in, I went home, thinking I now go to the field for a chat as much as flying, a social event as much flying these days. Imagine that the RCM&E editors comments this month runs a similar theme.
I went home happy, at least I got out, had a flight, shot the breeze with other old, old, grumpy old men.
I now await a few days of good weather, although I will be a dog minder for the next 2 weeks (the dog is to sensitive for the kennels, plus I am cheaper). I have a number of models that need flying/testing. OAPs have nowt to do these days, it seems I am being saved from boredom
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BMFA budget
in All Things Model Flying
Posted
I have found in life, that everything changes with time, todays certainties, turn out to be transitory. Although as aeromodellers we know which way the wind is blowing.
We can see that the membership is reducing.
We are aware that regulation has increased with respect to our hobby.
It is also true that costs to the BMFA and its membership has increased and as energy runs down hill, costs always increase.
I do not know the answers to much these days, although it is pretty obvious that it is becoming imperative that the BMFA plans and faces up to near a future with diminishing membership income stream. Something along the lines of a 5 year plan, made available to all the members is required.
With respect to the NFC, it should not be the tail that wags the dog. Business often restructures and close parts of the business if they do not make a useful contribution to the bottom line. I am not advocating that it should be disposed of as a concept, a dogma. Nor should it be sacrosanct. Officers time should not be disproportionally be allocated to non core parts of the BMFA. It is for some a nice to have, it could be or become a vanity costly asset or a money maker. If after 5 or so years, it is just braking even, is it worth having?
Although not all members value what the BMFA does for us, the majority do. That is why most clubs insist that their members are BMFA members. It may be primarily as the modellers Insurance broker. Increasingly it is dealing with the Regulators.
Our government called in the UKs biggest drone manufacturer (probably in reality an importer), to discuss drones under 250g and regulation and potential misuse of all personal drones, according to the News Media. I am sure that what is reported is not accurate in some if not all respects, but it will not be for a cosy, tea and biscuits lets be friends. These are areas that increasingly the BMFA have become involved on our behalf. In the past we have had smoke blown in our faces, there is nothing to worry about, the proposed changes are cosmetic, we will be carrying on unchanged, We all are now aware this was complacency.
Yet upper most in my mind, are concerns regarding the need to face up to the realities that appear to becoming near time realties and plan (for at least 5 years). Keep all the membership informed, not just area committees, particularly as most meeting are attended by a handful of people, representing clubs and officials trying to get things done for their members. Plans need to change with the realities that arrive. With no plan we will be like a ship with no rudder, and no destination to aim for.