Feb 2000 indoor fly

Our second club indoor event was another success, 14 attendees including members and guests, all having a ball with free flight models. We'll have r/c in there as well before long, my first attempt with the little B2 proved the hall a little small and the model as set up, to be a little fast. Flight control was by the "ricochet" method, leaving several scars on the model (ouch!). Anyway, here are some photos from the two club flying nights we have had so far:

Looking a little lost on the floor, this picture of AJ shows most of the floor area, two badminton courts. Not huge, but big enough for small f/f models.

Looking back up the other way, to the balcony, good launch position for that extra-long flight, or the "gravitationally challenged" designs. Actually it gives somewhere to park the rest of the fleet where they won't be trodden on, table to park the glue and accessories.

Speaking of fleets, here is Nigel Ling's pocket airforce, all flown on the night. Some had a long stable flight pattern, some were a bit more extrovert. I bet you never thought indoor flying could have visibility problems! The 20p coin is 21mm (13/16") high.

Out on the floor, a very worried looking young Stephen gets a launch demo with Nigel. Actually Stephen is just pulling a succession of strange faces, and did a lot of flying during the evening. Appeared to enjoy himself, which was the whole reason for coming, after all. The model is the BMFA Dart, design by Frank Ehling, and an excellent first beginner's indoor. Intended as a quickly built and easy to fly project for very young or inexperienced fingers, they do go well.

Here are our November Dart builders, AJ, Phil and Simon. All of these models were built and flown on the same evening, although some had slightly soft glue still and required a couple of pins leaving in!

Here are AJ and Robert about to launch, Dart vs. foam winged ARTF.

This is a Dart in flight; not the longest flying indoor model, but guaranteed to put in a flight, just what a beginner needs. Strong enough to bounce a bit and easy to see the results of trim changes. I suspect a little tweaking in the prop and motor dept would yield longer flights.

Now this Dart had some serious trim tabs applied while exploring the flight pattern. Just bits of masking tape, cheap and easy to adjust. Yes it did fly fine with all that lot applied, I can't remember if it was later removed or not.

Not everyone was flying Darts of course. Steve Kerry, better known as an own-designer, lately in scale r/c electric. Here with a foam surfaced device he found in a shop. It has a curious (and entertaining) flight pattern, tending to dutch-roll under power.

Here it is just having cleared my head, the prop is not visible because the blades are transparent - take another look at the previous picture.

Some More? 2nd page.

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