Reno Racer

Joe Bride’s Kaos range of aerobatic pattern aircraft from the 1970s Kaos 40, 60, super Kaos, killer Kaos etc. All now available on outerzone. topflite Contender 60 Sig 4 Star 40

I rarely post my on here anymore, but this thread sparked my eye. My experience with STEM and the CAA is a mixed bag. My recent discussions with them on protection of GA airfields and their essential status for the start of the pilot training pipeline (initial flying training) and an inclusion into the GA strategy hasn’t yet delivered a result. Without easy affordable access to aviation to start their flying careers we are not helping the next generation fill the supposed pilot shortage. We run an aviation scholarship each year and my interviews with those applicants from local Air Cadet Squadrons highlighted how little the kids actually learn these days(in science and aviation subjects) in stark contrast to what I did as an Air Cadet. I went to chat with the local area commander, offering my services to help. You would have thought they’d grasp the offer of help from an Airport Manager, recently retired senior officer, active pilot and much less active (lack of time) RC aeromodeller offering help to get kids into aviation..... zero. Most of the pilots I know, started off with RC models. Beyond restricting aeromodelling access with the new laws, if we can’t even inspire kids into aviation, or increase access we are loosing the battle. I hear lots of talk of STEM- engineers are good at it (also a Chartered Engineer) but aviation is still miles behind, despite lots of individual efforts and policy notes from the CAA. This is just another lump of ice on the wing of our rapidly descending hobby. When we get the kids into it, they are the same as they’ve always been. Many of our 2 week scholarship kids are now either training, have a PPL, are flying instructors or now commercial pilots. It does work and I don’t think it’s the kids fault if we don’t help them. Edited By Reno Racer on 08/01/2020 18:57:35

1/4 Scale Nieuport 17 built from a Balsa USA kit

I am one of those nasty non attenders. I used to fly regularly at my club and very regularly when living in the US, but now I struggle to find time. It doesn’t mean the desire and commitment has gone, quite the contrary. I haven’t flown at the club site since Aug last year, although I have flown a few models at work before we open; I’m an airport manager so have plenty of space and my own authority to fly in the FRZ. I have also built a 1/4 scale Nieuport 17, a Wingbat 48e and assembled lost of ARFs and am a committed builder. My problem is, that between running an airport, being a full size pilot and normal family commitments (9 yr old), I don’t seem to get time and when I do,the weather is bad, so I potter off and build some more planes or tinker. I'm hoping this week to get to the field..... i sense, I’m not alone here and not have the luxury (I look forward to)of having more time retired.

In the full size flying industry, we call them the Campaign Against Aviation. You’d be amazed at the loop holes we have to jump through. I do hope the BMFA has success, this is after all a hobby and for me a break from all the regulation of full size operations.

Tony, I think you’ll cause a complete UK shortage of FMS 50mm fans with these little crackers. I keep checking your site for the kit packs. Gnat will definitely get built, since I have a work connection, as will the JP and now the frightning. Great work and good to see some proper wood edf jets.

That Gaui F-50R look like a nice engine, a 50cc four stroke petrol engine, I also note they are about £900. If it was my choice, I’d chose a better known engine. Edited By Reno Racer on 27/05/2019 09:01:49

In practical terms, it is manageable to fly within an Airports FRZ, it just takes a bit of work to draft an agreement with the airport/airfield. Admittedly, much easier for a club than an individual and it must be noted that permission can be refused- it entirely depends upon the risk and location of the model/drone flying in relation to the transitional surfaces for the airports runway and any defined approaches or departure routes. To quantify, my day job is as the Operations Director/ accountable manager of an airport that serves both business jets and GA ( about 35,000 movements per year and as much as 180 per day in the summer). For a hobby I fly full size aerobatic aircraft and fly RC scale models. I frequently give permission for drones to be used for filming some of our tenant businesses and we have a long established model flying club within our ATZ. Indeed, before we open, I have been known to test fly a new model before flying at my normal club (although admittedly I haven’t flown at the club since late last year due to work) Regulation and draconian policy is with thing, practical risk management by those held accountable is another- it’s not all doom and gloom.

European Aviation Safety Agency

I can’t add much more to the excellent advice already provided by others. I tend to build more than a fly at the minute, but have flown lots of tailwheel models, Cubs, decathlon’s, WW1 and tiger moths. The reason I don’t fly models much these days is because I fly full size, mainly a Citabria ( or Decathlon) which exhibits similar characteristics as a cub, only shorter coupled, aerobatic and more power. Almost all tailwheel aircraft have their CoG behind the main wheels, which can make take offs pretty tricky, the worst aircraft what to swap ends If you’re not careful - the ground loop/swerve. When I take off in the Citabria, I advance the throttle slowly (about 3 -4 seconds) and then push the stick forward to the neutral position to lift the tail. All the while I need to counteract the torque pulling it to the left with a resting foot of right rudder. I keep it in this position until I’ve reached flying speed ( in this instance 65) before gently lifting off. Once I’m off the ground I immediately feel any effect of crosswind even more; fly relatively flat for a while before slowly climbing into my best rate of climb speed. If there is a cross wind when taking off, then in addition to all the above, when starting the take off run, I also have my aileron into the wind and counter with opposite rudder, whilst remembering to keep a bit of right rudder as well. Models tends to be the same and needs to be flown in a similar manner, albeit, I find it much harder to do all the above in a model, then a a full size! Yanking an aircraft off too early and not allowing speed to build up when on the main wheels will lead to a stall and the angle between the relative airflow and the able of attack to create a stall, certainly no full size is not great at all and the speed with which it stalls will increase with both weight and angle of bank. none of the above it tricky in both models or full size, it just takes practice. Edited By Reno Racer on 18/05/2019 21:09:01

Tony, i know she’s a shapely thing, but what’s the chances of the very under modelled Buccaneer making an appearance? Perhaps paired with the Lightning... am I asking too much?

Can’t wait for you to get them for sale on your site. I’m definitely building the JP and maybe the Gnat. Great work