Old pilot from UK returning to the field

[ahorkan]

Hi everyone, my name is Alan Horkan. I am British by origin but I have been living and working in Quebec since 2005.

In England I was actively involved in a model club called "Caterham and District model flying club" near london as a fixed wing pilot flying large size aerobatics, funfly aerobatics, slope soaring gliders, scale, large tug for gliders as well as thermal gliders. I also fly full size gliders and paragliders . I started in 1994 and flew actively until about 2003. I was club instructor certified A/B + Instructor as well as being on the board of committee members as Junior representative and then competition secretary.

I was part of a display team that flew at many model airshows, as well as competing in the national championships for 4 years in a row in "fun fly" event. I never won this however.... competition was tough.

Its been many years since I flew in a club, the last time I flew outright was in 2005 when I was still flying an electric funfly park flyer. I sold all my gear when I moved to Canada as it would have cost a fortune to ship it and might have been damaged as well.

Anyhow, I keep thinking " what would it be like to get back into club flying over here" and then I stumbled across the WIMAC website.....

Perhaps I could tag along next time you have an event at the field, or next time there will be a few people up there to meet. Or the next indoor meet?

I am thinking of picking up a nice JR 2.4ghz transmitter and pairing that up with a 90" Yak or Extra either electric or gas. haven't decided yet.

What does everyone think of the http://www.extremeflightrc.com/ aircraft?

As well as a serious pattern flying 60 size aircraft I would like to pick up something much smaller that can be used indoors and outdoors on low wind days.. electric... extremely agile and 3d capable with vertical power any suggestions?

Cant wait to meet you all... ! :)

Alan

[Kevin Rochon]

We have our indoor flying tomorrow night why don't you come and meet us(check home page for address) and after we go to Moe's for a beer and good food and good conversation.;)

[turkana]

Welcome to the best club ever! Very laid back people with origins from all places in the world. Could not think of any better place to meet them. I cannot give you advice on a plane because I only fly heli.

Regards Pete

[Kevin Rochon]

So far I see that the lightest planes seems to be from:

http://www.precisionaerobatics.com

Albert and Ronald had some of those they could comment on this brand.

[Ronald Longtin]

For indoors there are a lot of Cliks flying Thursday evenings but the Yak 55m seems to be the latest fashion.

For a park flyer, it takes a heavier model and the Mcfoamy looks good.

http://stores.homestead.com/fancyfoam/-strse-48/Yak-55M/Detail.bok


http://www.icare-rc.com/click2.htm

http://wmparkflyers.com/McFoamy.aspx

The Precision aerobatic products are superb and really nice to fly at Wimac, but a little big for most parks.

Also have a look at E-Flite or Park Zone Bind and Fly products, both available from Distribution Modéliste in Laval.

All you have to do is open box, charge batteries, bind your receiver and go fly...

http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLU1080

http://www.parkzone.com/UltraMicro/

[ahorkan]

Thanks for all the helpful info. I think I'm going to start off coming to the indoor meet tonight to come and meet a few people and check out what's going on. Should be there around 7pm, so see you all there!

[beto9]

I have a pattern electric from Extreme Flight called the Vanquish. Excellent!
Very impressed with the built and solidity. Our Prez also has one and cries when he cannot fly it.
And think, if you have to go back to ole England you will be able to bring them since they undo very easily (when you build them figure how to take off the tailfeathers).
We have two other British nationals at WIMAC.

[Richard Ottaway]

Hi Alan you will be welcomed at WIMAC as they are a nice bunch with lots of experience and in turn you can pass on your experience to them. There are at least 4 expats in the club that I can think of. You will soon get to know them just listen for the accents! The atmosphere at WIMAC is very friendly and the social side is good too. If you are thinking of inviting your partner on a nice day there are occasional ladies (wives!) that come for the fresh air, sunshine and relaxation that she can talk to. Yes as suggested the icebreaker this time of the year is the indoor flying on a thurs evening, I believe, at the school gym near the club entrance (right at the back of the school) the season has an early start if the weather is good but usually there is lots of water once the snow melts which gradually drains off. Good luck!

[Sempai-mj]

Wimac flys all year round, just install some skis on your plane and check the field roll call posts to see if people are flying and the raod has been plowed. There is a shelter heated by BBQ that doubles as a cooking device, plus we have propane heaters.

[ahorkan]

I have just signed up with MAAC for membership, and I have downloaded and printed the application forms for WIMAC. I will bring them with me next time I come to the club events.

cant wait to get my gear together again and be out to the field once more.

looks like a great club with a good member base.

For now Im focusing on getting a good radio, and a couple of light agile models for indoor.

Next I want to get something much larger for precision aerobatics, perhaps around the 60cc gas 80"

Ive been tempted for a while with the models from extremeflight rc

http://www.extremeflightrc.com/html/88yak54.html


See you all out there, and thanks for the nice comments and help so far:)

[xed]

Extreme makes excellent model airplanes although they are very expensive compared to other competitors.

I still have one of their 68" Yak 54, hanging in my basement. It has a glow engine on it but one day I would like to do an electric conversion.

[beto9]

Hmmm! Xed, are you still on the game? You have been noticed by your absence!

Well, at least you post!