As this is being written we are just approaching the longest day - almost half of 2005 already gone. Maybe it is just a feature of getting older but it really does seem that months do not last as long as they used to.
Flying Field
The strip is still in great shape. Most of the grass on the field has been cut and baled so it could well be that the sheep will be back soon. If so, we will be back to the electric fence routine. As always, please make sure you carefully replace it after use.
Clubhouse
The building work on the Clubhouse and its surrounds has been completed and by the time you receive this we hope to have put all the show equipment in the rear shed and the general, day-to-day, club equipment in the small shed to the north side of the clubhouse. We will try to get the clubhouse into a much more pleasant condition. We are getting some new chairs for members to use as some of the old ones have seen better days. Keys for the sheds and the toilet are in the steel cupboard. Both combination locks on the clubhouse door have the same number as in use before.
Training evenings
We started these at the beginning of May on each Tuesday evening from 5.00pm. They have been very well attended. I counted 13 cars lined up a couple of weeks ago. We usually manage to carry out one or two noise tests as well. The Club has obtained a second training aircraft with its own radio gear which is intended for use by people who need further flying practice in preparation for their "A" test, and as a back-up to the Uno-Wot. It is a Tyro Major which is currently having one or two remedial jobs done on it. If you have not tried the training evenings do come along. If you need some refreshers or want to prepare for the "A" test it is the opportunity to get under way. If anyone wants to go for their "B" test please contact me.
New Members
We welcome the following new members:Carl Carpenter of Hereford,
Christopher Gordon and his son Danny of Holme Lacy,
Nigel King of Malvern.
Safety
We have seen a couple of instances recently where undercarriage mounting blocks in some ARTF aircraft have not been securely glued in place. Fortunately the owners concerned were wise enough to have thoroughly checked the models so discovered the fault before any damage was done. It is very important to check all the joints on all models, especially ARTFs. These were from a usually good- quality manufacturer so check them all.
We also experienced a fly-away model recently. It flew through the village and landed in the field next to the Walwyn Arms, fortunately without causing any damage!. On inspection it was clear that the battery connector had worked loose in the receiver causing total loss of radio control. The servo connections were also loose in their sockets. The receiver and battery/servo connectors were of different brands. The connections needed to be secured in place with a band or some tape. Message - check them and secure them!. On larger models consider a fail safe.
If anyone is contemplating a model of 7Kg or more please get in touch with me as there are special provisions which are applicable to these, as detailed in the BMFA handbook.
Steam Fair
This will be held on the field on 16th and 17th July. We ask for volunteers to help rope off the strip in the early part of the week before and also to have models on static display over the Steam Fair weekend when we "guard" the strip. That is when we award the Dave Prosser trophy. Please let me know if you can help in any way and I will work out details with you.
Annual Large Model Show
Our show takes place on 3rd and 4th September, when all club members, and any friends, are asked to volunteer to help with preparation in the preceding week, over the weekend of the show itself, and for a day or so after to ensure a good clean-up. The show is important to us and we need all the help we can get. Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions on this. We also ask for some help for Hilda Davies with her refreshment area which will be for visiting LMA members and for HMAC members to use. This is an ideal way for any ladies to help and was much-appreciated last year.
That is all for now. Best regards, Bernard Morris