Robin Colbourne Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Reading David Davis's thread 'Aeromodelling at Seventy Four', about scaling back on his aeromodelling, got me thinking. Primary reasons for R/C fliers giving up flying are failing eyesight and slower reactions. Initially larger models help them with the former, and slower models with the latter. There comes a time though, when, at some point in the circuit, one realises that it was largely luck that oneself and one's model through a moment of disorientation. Like model flying, full-size gliding has a rapidly increasing average age amongst its participants. The solution has been for the more elderly experienced pilots to fly with younger ones, so as a team there is the combined benefits of years of experience from the older pilot when flying cross-country and the eyesight and reactions of the younger pilot for situational awareness. Even Derek Piggott, the renowned instructor, stunt pilot and author flew with a safety pilot in his later years. We already have buddy boxes for training, so maybe its time we should consider it normal to use them as a means to keep older fliers flying safely, so they can remain active and valued members of our clubs? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Bowers Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Up to the individual, in my opinion. I'd have no problem asking for whatever help I thought I needed, but may be less receptive to institutionalised buddy boxing. However i't a theoretical discussion so my take is I'd be incorporating electronic aids such as stabilisation and RTH in order to retain independence before asking for a buddy box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 I could live with a buddy box. A modern wireless system is not intrusive. I got bitten last winter. I had a cataract developing in the right eye. Thought my left (non dominant eye) could cope. It was fine until I was a bit casual in finals, and put the flaps down going a bit fast, and from then on; low, slow, winter light, not many ideas, and struggling to see. A nice big heavy winter hack was broken. It was a lot further away than I thought. Eyes now sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 My take is if I get to a point that I am not happy to fly then I will stop. But it still wouldn't prevent me from criticizing the faults of those that do! 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 I have done this with a club mate, he builds some great models but doesn't feel confident to fly some of them solo, put them on the buddy box and he can at least fly them. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 It’s something I’ve done fairly regularly with a couple of flyers of advancing age, lack of confidence or with infirmities. It needs to be seen as good airmanship to ask for assistance rather than any form of judgement so something to be encouraged rather than imposed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J D 8 Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 I was hoping to give this a go next year, see if those club members who only fly electric foamie's a go on heavier IC type's. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted December 23, 2022 Author Share Posted December 23, 2022 15 minutes ago, J D 8 said: I was hoping to give this a go next year, see if those club members who only fly electric foamie's a go on heavier IC type's. Good idea JD8. I'm sure they would discover a larger IC trainer a lot easier to fly than foamies that cover their own length far too rapidly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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