Jon Laughton Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Our main flying flield (for the Oldham & DIstrict Model Flying Club) is really suffering from the wetest summer since whenever. It is really boggy and there is a real threat that until we get a sustained dry spell we may have to abandon take offs on wheels and just hand launch electric models with the follow on problem of belly landing in mud / water pools.... Are many other clubs suffering the same or are we just very unlucky this autumn? Last November I recall being in short sleeves on a warm afternoon flying in balmy conditons - perhaps the weathe rgods will care to repeat that one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hargreaves - Moderator Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Quite commom at the Skelmersdale patch Jon. The flying field is on an ancient peat bog so it doesn't drain very well...indeed it almost floats on the waterlogged peat .......we have considered flying float planes off it before!!!! The actual strip is affectionaly known as "The Trampoline" because if you jump up and down in one corner you can see the far corner move..... Last year though the club lengthened & leveled the flying patch & whilst the contractors were there they dug two channels to soakaways to help drain the actual patch & these have worked pretty well.....very little standing water this year. What you have to remember is that if your flying site was on well drained, desireable land.....it probably wouldn't be a flying site.........sad but true.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 At the farm we used to fly from it wasn't uncommon to get 6"+ of mud at the field entrance. Wellies could be lost forever. My current club site has a slope and we fly from the top so no real problems so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Perhaps start building seaplanes? Check out the earlier Supermarine types ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 Not yet KC but I have ordered some skis for when it snows! Can only manage one Supermarine project at a time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Reynolds LaserCraft Services Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 We have exactly the same problem at Kendal, more water than gras atm, we have even developed a permanent pond which is slowly eating its way into the strip, but clay is the underlying problem here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greybeard Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Tie tennis rackets to your wellies, they will take you mind of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted October 5, 2012 Author Share Posted October 5, 2012 SWMBO already says I look a 'sight' when I go flying so perhaps the addition of tennis raquets will improve me in a strange sartorial way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 We're fortunate to have chalky soil that drains extremely well and to fly from ground with lower-lying ground to one side. So even a small puddle is a rarity. I do feel sorry for those less fortunate though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 We are towards the bottom of the slope! The strip itself is not too bad - but you have to "pick your way" with the car, and be very gentle with the clutch and accelerator, if you're not going to get stuck! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tee Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 Our field and strip are quite good. The main problem is crossing the two fields we have to cross to get to our field when wet (most of this summer). It is our postponed barbeque tomorrow and yes it's raining tonight. John Edited By John Tee on 05/10/2012 22:04:27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Sharp Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 You think youv'e been hard done to. Near to York the other day, crossing over the River Wharfe, I saw a football field consisting of several pitches with only the top rails of the goals being visible. And these were being used as perches by seagulls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted October 6, 2012 Author Share Posted October 6, 2012 Can't beat that Tom ! If they were Sunday league pitches I remember playing on some almost as bad in my younger years. As a goalie I ended up looking like the creature from the black lagoon... There's a picth next door to our flying patch and I thank the heavens I dont have to play on it - it would be a farce! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Grigg Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 We fly from a very boggy field but the strip seems just a tiny bit higher so it seems to stay dry enough Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted October 6, 2012 Author Share Posted October 6, 2012 Well I have to report that the situation is getting better - the ground whilst being very soft underfoot was drained enough in the place we tend to fly from well enough for four of us to take off and land without problem - both electric foamies and my IC Sebart Katana. Here's hoping that the draining continues... Edited By Jon Laughton on 06/10/2012 19:01:44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 We have a field on a gentle slope. It drains perfectly. The trouble comes when one has to retrieve a model from the surrounding field. It is clay nd in wet weather you get a couple of kilos of mud on your shoes/boots within a few steps. The parking area is grass but that can get very slippery with rain and frost seems to make it especially greasy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tee Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 Well our BBQ went ahead as scheduled (see above posting) Only two cars got stuck and needed towing out. I nearly got stuck but reversed out of trouble - car covered with mub even on the roof. Had a good turn out of 35 out of the 50 booked. Strip was ok and some good flying had with no damage suffered. The day turned out very warm and sunny with a light breeze that was variable in direction. All in all a good time was had by all. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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