2008
Excursions
It
is intended that we run 3 excursions in 2008 to the following events:
(Click
on banners for links to the event websites)
This
trip is to the Scottish model air show at Castle Douglas, Stranrear. The trip
will involve travelling by ferry to Scotland (Larne - Stranrear) and 1 night's
accommodation. Models may be brought and flown by "B" cert holders only.
This
trip is to the Salthill air show in Galway. Entry to the air show is free. Travel
will be by member's cars or a minibus depending on numbers travelling. 1 night's
accommodation will be required.
6th
& 7th September 2008: Flights for this trip are from City of Derry airport
to Stansted. 2 nights accommodation will be required (Friday and Saturday nights)
It is intended that we visit the air show on the Saturday and spend some time
at the air museums on Sunday before returning home.
Although
these events take place next year it is important that we know how many people
are interested as soon as possible so that we can source suitable accommodation
and calculate travel prices etc. Deposits will be required upon booking.
If
you are interested in any of these excursions please contact Sean Scully at the
club,by email or by using the form supplied through the following link:
Excursions
seanscully@hotmail.co.uk
2008
Events
Sat.
26th April 2008: Open Day
Sun 25th May 2008: Splash In
Sun 22nd June 2008:
Kinsella & Area Scale Competition
Sun 17th August 2008: Heli-day
Sun
14th September 2008: Area aerobatics competition
The
North West Model Aircraft Club usually hosts four events each year catering for
the different flying disciplines that our club is involved with. In 2008 we have
introduced an additional event with our first open day. Traditionally our flying
calendar took off with the Moor Lough Splash-in where both Helicopters and fixed
wing aircraft (airplanes) take to the water on floats. After this comes the Dr.Kinsella
Scale day, a Northern Ireland Association of Aeromodellers (NIAA) area competition
named after one of the founding members of the NWMAC, the late Dr. Austin Kinsella.
During this event we fly scale replicas of fixed wing and helicopters with entries
being judged on the models scale detail and realism in flight. Next is our helicopter
fun fly which quite simply is a day dedicated to helicopters. Last on our calendar
is the Area Aerobatics championship, again this event is a NIAA competition during
which competitors are judged on a set aerobatic flying schedule which includes
loops, rolls, inverted flight, stall turns, split S and immelmann turns. Our events
are approached with the emphasis on fun and are very relaxed, our BBQ is always
on the go and it has to be said has produced some mighty tasty burgers over the
years. Below are reports and photos from some of our past events.
For
maps and directions to our flying site please follow the links below.
Sunday
28th May 2006 - Moor Lough Splash In,
The
2006 events calendar kicked of with our annual splash-in at Moorlough near Strabane
on a cold and very windy Sunday morning. First order of the day was to pick a
suitable launching spot, which proved quite difficult as the wind direction and
strength were both against us. After a few circuits of the lough and much deliberation
we finally decided on our flying site for the day. Although it didn't offer much
parking space it did allow us to takeoff straight into wind. First to test the
wet stuff was Gordon McCrea from the Kestrels Model Flying club. Gordon a regular
visitor to many NWMAC events, took his Raptor helicopter up for a look around
prompting the rest of us to spring into action. Soon after, Aidan Lafferty and
George Hemphill, pulled out their T240s' and hurriedly got set-up. Both managed,
after a couple of ducking's, to get air-born and coped admirably in the strong
winds. Robb Evans was next to have a go with his converted trainer. Unfortunately
due to skid positioning it proved a little too much for his trainer to break away
from the surface and Robb called it a day after four or five attempts. While the
flying continued our newly appointed master chefs, Robert McCartney and George
Hemphill, prepared the Sunday roast (burgers and hot-dogs), two hours to cook,
and five minutes to eat. They have informed me that they intend to publish a recipes'
book shortly, and will be making regular television appearances over the coming
months, so keep your eyes out for them. Gordon McCrea delighted our helicopter
enthusiasts with a flight of his turbine-powered helicopter, a brave man considering
the costs, but more than capable. Gerry Donnelly again provided air sea rescue
for stricken models, along with some pleasure cruises around the lough. Other
welcome visitors to the event were Dick Whyburry and Robert Graham. Robert again
thrilled our helicopter enthusiasts with a tidy flying display. All in all the
day was a definite success although slightly dampened by the strong winds. Here's
hoping the rest of the year's events go as well.
Sunday
June 25th 2006:- Dr Kinsella Area Scale Championship
After
a week of stormy, wet, or should I say sodden, weather, Sunday the 25th June surprised
us all by being uncharacteristically sunny with light winds, a rare novelty for
us weather beaten Northerners. Flying got of to a slow start around 11.30am when
Tom Long of the NWMAC had a go with his Stampe, this was closely followed by Robert
McCartney flying his Zlin and Sean Scully with his Piper Cub. By now our visiting
club members had started to arrive with a strong contingent from the Langford
Lodge Model Aviation Club. In total 14 models were entered into the competition
representing many different eras in aviations, with models ranging from biplanes
to modern day jets. Flying continued at a fairly lazy pace until Ian Robb had
a go with his Thunder Tiger powered Cermark F15 Fighting Falcon, speed was certainly
not a problem with this model. Ian Robb then decided to up the anti by announcing
that he intended to have a go with his Red Arrows, turbine powered Hawk. Apparently
the Langford lads took a vote on whether it should be flown or not due to the
very short runway of only 60 meters. The vote was 3 against and 1 for so in true
democratic fashion the motion was carried. After a short pause in flying, so that
Aidan Lafferty could cut the grass at the end of the runway in an effort to extend
the strip, Ian, aided by Kenny Taylor and Peter Carson prepared the Hawk for takeoff.
The distinctive whine of a turbine soon deafened all around, while the air filled
with the intoxicating smell of burning Jet A1. A short full powered takeoff saw
the Hawk rip into air quickly gaining altitude. With his bearings found Ian proceeded
to delight the captivated onlookers with thunderous low-level fly-pasts and staggering
vertical climbs. Landing was going to be tricky mixing a short runway with the
aircraft's relatively high stall speed, but after a few attempts Ian touched down
about 20 meters into the tarmac and ran-off onto the newly cut grass. Unfortunately
the grass pulled the retracts out from the left wing. A relieved Ian and helpers
retrieved an otherwise undamaged model to the applause of the crowd. Definitely
the highlight of the day! Flying continued with impressive flights from Andrew
Drummond flying his Father's B25 bomber, Seamus O'Donnell's Corsair, and the days
only helicopter entry a Bell Ranger owned and flown by Rob Evans. Unfortunately
Jackie Drummond's Comet had engine failure shortly after takeoff and suffered
some damage during a dead stick landing and an altercation with an unseen fence
post. Voting for the winners was extremely difficult this year with such an impressive
lineup being fielded. It has to be said that every pilot and model on display
were winners, however the official results were as follows:
Best Flown Model 1st : Ian Rob (Hawk) Langford Model Aviation.
2nd: Andrew
Drummond (B25) (No Club)
3rd : Tom Long (Stampe) NWMAC
Best Static Model Jackie Drummond (B25)
An
excellent days flying was rapped up with flights from Sean Scully's Spitfire and
Aidan Lafferty's aerobatic Atlas. Thanks has to be given once again to the culinary
skills of Robert McCartney who, after struggling with various flame throwing devices
finally managed to get the BBQ going, and fed the masses with his award winning
burgers. No one's quite sure what award they have received, but it is always advisable
not to dig to deep on these finer points.
Sunday
16th July 2006:- Helicopter fun fly.
At
9 am on Sunday 16th July the gates of the North West Model Aircraft Club’s
flying site were opened signalling the start of our 3rd annual heli day. Uncharacteristically
it was dry and bright (although slightly overcast), with winds barely registering
on the windsock. It didn’t take long for our first visiting pilots to arrive
from the Ballymoney club and Enniskillen based Kestrels club. Welcomes and banter
aside we now got down to business with early flights from Gerry Donnelly flying
his shuttle, which was closely followed by Alwin flying his Raptor 90se. Alwin
stunned us with the first of many impressive displays and caused quite a stir
amongst our club members. We next saw Gordon McCrea from the Kestrel club flying
his raptor 50, as always a beautiful smooth display. After Gordon came Clifford
Wallis, a three time veteran of our fly-in giving the other pilots something to
think about. In the background Aiden and Robert (strictly plank flyers) had the
BBQ well underway, the smells from which would convert any vegetarian. With the
socializing, eating and slagging now all but done, the flying turned to fixed
wing, "sacrilegious" I hear you say, a fixed wing model on a heli day?
Well "fixed wing" should be used very loosely at this point as it was
in-fact a gyrocopter. Gerry and Gordon give us all a laugh as they tried for some
time to get the contraption in the air, (now we know why many clubs say the two
disciplines simply don‘t mix). Tommy Cunningham had by now arrived and started
to unload his van packed to the gills with rotary delights, after fifteen minutes
and nearly as many coronaries, he had 10 beautifully scaled models posing proudly
in the pitts area. Now aided by Kevin Smith, Tommy proceeded to get some of his
"super" models airborne, much to the delight of the spectators. The
sound of a model helicopter in flight is unmistakable even to the novice amongst
us, but the airwaves where now filled with a new predator as Gordon McCrea wound
up his Wren turbine powered chopper. Unfortunately and to the bewilderment of
all, the turbine seized and went on fire. It has since turned out to be a fault
with the turbine shaft and circlip which caused the bearing to seize. Thankfully
though, after returning it to the manufacturer (who repaired it free of charge),
the model is airworthy once again. It is now the general consensus that God is
indeed an egg beater, as he provided us with an absolutely glorious day, and at
5pm the proceedings were called to a close. An excellent day was had by all. So
it was with thoughts of next year that we returned home slightly crispier than
we had set out.
Many
thanks to the pilots and visitors who made it fun for all !!
Below
is the 2008 events calendar for all NIAA affiliated clubs
