Tuition needed, SE london

[ShamusB]

I am looking for someone or a school in SE London or Kent for some help in learning how to handle my chopper properly, I have some basic hovering skills ( a week spent at the RC Hotel) but I have not been able to fly for over a year since due to injuries, I know a couple of local clubs but these all seem to have 2 year waiting lists .
I have an ARK 400 so I could do some indoor (Hall) flying if anyone knows anywhere local that does it, there used to be a local indoor heli club but that stopped last year.
I am sure there is more than just me looking in the area from reading some of the other threads, the BMFA site is all well and good but I am sure not all clubs are on there.
I have even considered somewhere like the "Flyin fish" school but this and all the others are not very local.

Can someone also correct me if I am wrong in thinking that I can fly my electric heli on my local common without any probs, I know you can't fly nitro helis on your local common but I believe you are Ok with electric ??

Please be gentle as this is my first post, any help is greatly appreciated.

[Nutz]

Hi ShamusB,

I fly over at the Croydon club (CAMFC) we are mainly a fixed wing club but have a few heli pilots as well, the only other heli club I know in the SE London/Kent is Eynsford.
With the 400/450 size helis the bylaws prevent you from officially flying in public places, plus the fact that you really need a spotter or look out for the public as well can be a hindrance you progression/concentration. I am not saying you cannot fly on the common just that you need to be careful about how you approach the matter.
You are more than welcome to pop to our site and can even meet others on our website/forum www.CAMFC.co.uk if you require any more information. We are a friendly club and are always willing to help someone new in the hobby.

[chugga-bug]

As Nutz said most public parks have bylaws to prevent you from flying.. But not all. Norman park in bromley is one place where you are allowed to fly electric models. Planes & helicopters.
You could go down to your town hall and ask them to tell you where (if anywhere) it is permitted.
So long as you are sensible though, and don't fly near anybody, you will probably go unnoticed by most park keepers. But be careful and land as soon as anybody starts to come towards you. The general public seem to think nothing of walking into the path of 2500+ rpm blades with the inevitable "how much/how high/where did you get it from" line.

I have been told that you can fly on parts of Plumstead common but don't know if that's true or not.

[Nutz]

The general public seem to think nothing of walking into the path of 2500+ rpm blades with the inevitable "how much/how high/where did you get it from" line.

As above helis are people magnets, like flying insects and those electric extermination thingys with the blue light in them

[Kwickkwack]

that is so true, we have an 11 acre park where I live, I have tried to fly there, and it does not matter where I go, people always just make straight for you or dogs chase the models, so I have completely given up there now, its just not worth the risk.
On one occasion I was the only person there, till two youg lads walked on at the other end of the park, walked right across the length of the park, and started to kick a football around where i was trying to fly.
Time to give up at that point me thinks.

[Twister3D]

Hey Shamus
I live a couple of miles from you so if you need a flying partner Im up for that.
There is a large quiet field in Averyhill park that I use.
Also I would happily show you where Eynsford Heli Club is and there a good bunch.
Im affraid as to tuition I would not be that great as Im still learning my self,
I also fly mode 1 so that could be fun to say the least.
Im away all next week but after that we could get in touch, It would be great to have a flying partner.

Dave

[jimbowm]

Greetings all, a chance for me to say hi here.... I used to live a few years back in Bromley, and made a couple of visits to the Eynsford Heli Club. Yes they were a good bunch, I also remember a large number used Avicraft (not sure of spelling) models in Chatterton road Bromley. They always had crash bits to repair my old Concept 30. But now live deeper in Kent.

Been messing with cars and buggies last few years, but the need to fly and own a heli has resurfaced... So here I am, taking in all info from this fine forum.

[kiwipilot]

Hi Shamus

Try Nigel Fraser-Ker (http://www.heli-lessons.com) He is not too far away from you.

Also, pop on down to EDMAC (Epsom Downs) - there are some great lads down there who can point you in the right direction.