Model Monster

It really does look good. I'm in the same club as Bucksboy and have seen it "in the flesh", its a very tidy build and I'm sure it'll be airbourne very soon.

I acquired a new Enya 60 2st about a year ago, to go in my Ganster 63. I had the same query as the OP and contacted Enya with the specific query can I use fully synthetic etc. Their response was 20% fully synthetic plus 2% castor. I got Southern Modelcraft to mix me a few gallons with 10% nitro and have used at least 2 with no issues. NB it does seem happier running a bit rich, so make sure your model's fuel proofing/ covering is up to it.

I haven't subscribed, I was actually quite annoyed when I found out, as far as I'm concerned this is blatant mis-selling. The lady on the telephone ordering service said she would escalate this but I haven't had anyone contact me yet. I'll see what's on offer next month. There are other offers online for RCM&E subscriptions without "free gifts" and these are a lot cheaper.

Not really. What's the point of having a full page advert for something that isn't correct and misleading. If I had subscribed without checking I would have been disappointed. I wonder how many new subscribers will be affected by the misleading advert?

I just went to subscribe for the RCM&E mag. using the code in the April edition which has a "free" Permagrit bundle as the gift. I tried online and via telephone, using the advertised promo code RCME2021 but the offer when you get to the subscription part is for a few Lipo sacks instead with no Permagrit bundle available? The nice lady on the telephone order line said she would escalate this. I also tried it with the Print and Print/ Digital subscriptions but the result was the same. I also tried using the subscription facility on this website (RCM&E Home button) but that doesn't recognise the promo code at all? Is this a glitch? Ideally I would like the Permagrit bundle.

Just to add a bit to my previous post after I realised I'd missed out answering one of Basil's queries, refering to power plants. We would generally have slightly more trainees who want to fly electric, I can't be sure of the exact reason why this is but some cite cleanliness which is fair enough. If the correct trainer is chosen then duration for either i.c. or electric is similar. For instance a Seagull E-Pioneer with a fair sized Lipo flies easily for 10 mins even when it's windy ditto for the Multiplex Mentor. Most of the foamies on 3s 2200's get 5 mins which is no problem but needs plenty of packs. For i.c. duration never seems to be an issue and 10 minute flights are the norm. One point of slight interest is that quite a few of the electric trainees migrate over to i.c for some reason, possibly due to the fill and go again convenience, rather than having lots of packs/ waiting for packs to charge?

Basil. Some excellent points from the other replies and all relevant. To answer some of your other queries. We do try and make it enjoyable/ fun but it does involve some considerable effort from both the trainer and trainee but is absolutely worth the effort. I don't think I've ever seen anyone happier than after they've passed their "A". We have kept some records of training progress over the years. Quickest was 8 sessions (a 15 year old). Longest so far was 72 sessions over a couple of years (a member of the club for over 20 years prior to this). Average is about 20, so definitely possible within a year, most of ours take about 6 months but it does depend on how regular they are. We've had 2 where we couldn't get them to a safe solo standard despite lots of training but they still fly on the buddy and don't seem too bothered. We try to have a least 6 flights per session/ per trainee. But it does sometimes take a while for them to build up flying stamina, to the point where it works for the trainees having flight after flight. Quite often they can start off ok and then go down hill as they tire. So it is worth having some breaks/ watch the other trainees etc.

What an interesting question and weirdly I was chatting to another club’s chairman about this yesterday. There are lots of ways of skinning a cat and not necessarily simple but we have found this works best and a high percentage of our trainees do actually learn to fly, stay with the hobby and become regulars with all of the obvious advantages. Prospective members that haven’t got a model, visit the club have a go on one of the club’s trainers, on the buddy, so they can have “taster” lesson. If they then want to join and a space is available then they are given advice on what equipment to get etc and start training. Our club’s training/ solo flying programme has evolved over time, along the BMFA’s guidelines and now takes place on defined days, primarily on Saturday’s from 9.00am – approx 2.00pm and also during BST 5.00pm until dusk on Wednesday’s. We use a dedicated Whatsapp group to keep trainees informed (or call them). During this time they naturally and gradually get to understand the club rules, BMFA/ RCC stuff etc and the questions part of the Fixed Wing A test. Our examiners don’t get involved with any testing until a trainer advises them that a trainee is ready. There are a few routes to being allowed to fly solo (outside of the training environment). 1, If the prospective member has their own model and a FW A or above then a proving flight of basic competency is all that is required (must inc relevant calling and an understanding of our flying rules) – Take off, fly a few circuits within the flying boundaries and then a landing on the strip and they are good to go. 2, As above, but if found a bit wanting/ rusty then they have to attend the training sessions until they can reliably do this. If they can fly solo but just need a bit of supervised practice then a few sessions is usually all it takes. If they are really dodgy, they have to go on the buddy until they are at the FW A standard (see below for buddy arrangements). 3, We also have several members mentoring mates/ family and they are both encouraged to also attend the training sessions although no problem if they want to make their own arrangements to meet at other times. 4, After joining, absolute novices must attend the training sessions, regularly and with serviceable equipment. We insist on them having their own buddy system of 2 Tx’s, their own either i.c. or electric trainer (ideally a 60”+ wingspan, we like the Seagull E-Pioneer or Arising Star, but anything high wing and “trainery” is ok) and all of their own field equipment etc. We provide lots of guidance on equipment and quite often existing members have suitable 2nd hand stuff for sale (usually from our previous trainees). The 1st couple of sessions we put a fair amount of effort into getting the model and radios fully set up, fail-safe, range checks etc and go through all of the pre-flight checks with the trainee. This pays dividends down the line as we have quite a few members that help with training and they don’t mind doing the flying but most don’t want to get involved in the initial setting up or 1st flights (too much responsibility?). As soon as the model is ready they start flying and this involves getting the hang of calling, circuits within the boundaries at a fairly constant height and making sure they know how to carry out pre/ post flight checks of the model and controls etc. Once they can do that, we move onto rectangular circuits. Then rectangular circuits with descents to approx head height and slow flying down the strip with rudder steering and straight climb outs. This gets repeated, a lot, until they are fairly consistent. We also start taxing/ lining up for take-off practice during this period. Landings are next (usually not a problem by this stage, as they are used to flying low and slow, just throttling back and hang onto the elevator and they are down – phew!). After this straight onto take-offs which are usually a non-event by then. A few more sessions of “whole flights” and they come off the buddy and the trainers gradually move away from them until the trainee is properly flying solo – yay. After that back on the buddy for trimming, figure of eights, climbing to altitude and dead stick demo’s. They then go back to solo and carry on practicing these on their own but within the supervised training environment/ sessions. Once they are consistent they do their test and are then let loose. We also do some “Beyond the A” training for basic aerobatics.

I'm in.

I'm in

I'm in.

I'm in.

I'm in.

I'm in.