Sloping Off - December 2005
Chairman's Chatter
Firstly, may I thank all the members who have visited the Wheatsheaf Hotel for our monthly club meetings. Judging by the 30 guys who came to the club auction it certainly shows an improvement from the table top sale last January.
It was a busy evening for which I owe my thanks to Terry Sullivan and Tony Cousins for being auctioneer's clerks. The final total, in money that is, was £1000!! Around £500 was taken by an ex-member, Mike Weeden. He was selling model kits and gear from a chap who had died from cancer. The proceeds will go to MacMillan nurses cancer care.
I am now also chairman of the Dorset Federation of Model Flying Clubs and C&DMFC representative along with Gordon Coy, who’s treasurer of the group. Should you wish to know anything about slopes, other club’s activities, etc. just contact me. Okay, I may not have an immediate answer, however I will do my level best to find out and get back to you. Your email address is best.
Gordon has advised that he would welcome a break from the above position. David Enticott has volunteered to take the post starting with the December Federation meeting, which happens to be the AGM. Thank you Gordon for the many, many years of work also thanks to David for his esteemed offer.
Last summer was better than 2004. Less rain and less strong wind. Since September the wind and rain has returned. It has been common to have a blow of around 40mph on many occasions. I recorded gusts of 70mph on Barton front during early November. No, I didn’t fly, I only look silly! (No comments please).
I have recently been emailing the Christchurch Model Flying Club in Christchurch New Zealand. They too are an old established club. They have their own private flying site, also, superb slopes close by.
I have been talking about trying to twin with them. Christchurch Dorset is twinned with Christchurch NZ, so why not? This feels like a committee visit needed, doesn’t it?
I have sent a couple of pics to Mike Roach. Hopefully they will appear somewhere in this edition of Sloping Off (see below...).
I’m still finalising the training schedule. I’ve covered Thermal gliding, Slope gliding and electric gliding. It’s aimed at having a safe approach to operating and flying models. Two parts. 1) Pre-flight setting up the model to fly (including peg operation). 2) Flying a basic schedule to show control of your model. 3) Questions relating to safety and operating a model, particularly from a public site. This isn’t a licence to fly ANYTHING!!
May I wish you all the best for Christmas and the New Year from all your committee.
Bye for now and happy landings AND repairs.
Terry Antell
