Club Heli Politics....Again!

[prostaljic]

That's great 1chris we are all in the hobby of flying and should all get on we have a large range of ages,s and some have been flying planks for 50 years, and now trying there hand at heli and getting on well we don't turn any one away every one is welcome and keep an open mind on the hobby don't get up your way very often but if I do will pop my nose in am of to new Zealand in march have all ready contacted a club over there and cant wait to visite REGARDS ANDREW

[BASS 666]

my brother was in the UDR in BELFAST in the 80s. he carried a device on his back called an umbrella. it was a jamming device used against the IRA for when they were using radio controlled bombs. anybody know anyone in the MOD lol.......

[cjcj1949]

Helis don't need much space and have a smaller noise footprint than fixed wing. Fewer crashes out of field as well. Should be easier to have a heli only club than a field with a runway.

[Gixxer]

my brother was in the UDR in BELFAST in the 80s. he carried a device on his back called an umbrella. it was a jamming device used against the IRA for when they were using radio controlled bombs. anybody know anyone in the MOD lol.......

My brother was in the Salvation army but he got sacked... He was working at a soup kitchen at Christmas and all he said was... "Will you hurry up, some of us have homes to go to!"

[heathy]

Had the same problem with a club i was in, even managed to get on the committee to try and be heard. Nope, didn't work so started a club myself. Now that club is losing its field due to military stuff, Karma's a bitch.

[Rotorhead]

Luckily our club is quite good, everyone seems to get along quite well, but I have to say it seems that actually the heli flying is a fair bit safer than the planes, I've only seen accidents happen so far with planes, never with helis.

Personally I think that the whole idea that a heli is more dangerous is a false one, sure if it hits you it's not going to be good, but neither is it going to be good if a plane hits you with a big prop doing at least 16k per minute, especially when you consider that a plane can cover ground generally a lot quicker than a typical heli, and also there is the fact that a plane HAS to keep going forwards just to fly, a heli can be brought to a hover, and I think that makes helis safer, most plane pilots it seems only look at what the model is doing at the time, and don't seem to look ahead to where it's going, which is something that suggests that the reaction time is going to be cut down with planes, next time you watch someone fly a plane just look at where their attention is focused.... it's always on the plane, not what's 50 yards in front of the plane, which is where it should actually be, with heli's that's not so much a problem since we tend to fly slower, and in a more confined area, and we can always stop.

So, IMO it's a complete myth that planes are safer.

[gazmk2]

It's probably those videos of nutters doing 3d in their garage with a 700 and almost hitting themselves that bring on these myths! You are right though, the average built up nitro plane that still dominate clubs are far heavier, faster and have a sharper, faster spinning prop on the front than an average heli!

I sure wouldn't like even my wot 4 foam-e to hit me!!

[Pav]

A few of us are contacting local farmers to see if we can use there fields, the response so far is good. It may be a way forward for you, I did notice that perhaps there is slight Heli envy from Plankers as you call them, even in the local shop....

[Pauldevil]

The main issue IMHO in G and MAJ clubs is down to the way the bmfa want a heli to be noise tested , in our tests ANY heli can pass the test simply by reducing the rpm it's tested at , so it's not actually being tested at its flying rpm ( ie in idle up 1 - 2 ) , the planners who have large petrol models can't get their models under the 82db at full throttle ( which is the way the bmfa state you test a plane ) so feel its unfair and we are able to cheat the system .
This problem will continue I'm sure as they think our test should be done with our models tethered so we can run them up at full throttle and with full pitch ...... Hopefully now you can understand the mentality of those few individuals we are dealing with ( unfortunately most are now elected committee members .....) . I'm a member of 4 clubs , next year however I'm going to join just 2 which will save me cash and a whole lot of grief .

[Sarge]

what club is it George?, I'm moving back there soon and will be looking at the clubs, th Coltishall is just over the road from my place but if they dont like helis then its a no go

[George J]

what club is it George?, I'm moving back there soon and will be looking at the clubs, th Coltishall is just over the road from my place but if they dont like helis then its a no go

If you want to fly helis then forget Coltishall as new members are not allowed to fly helis at all. If you want to join either of the local clubs to that area (there is 3 if you google it) then say you fly planes only on the application! Don't really want to name the clubs on here though.
I live in Coltishal by the way.

[numbskull]

maybe its there inability to grasp the concept /and or fear of collective pitch lol

[Mike Sanders]

What a shame that you chaps are having such problems. I feel sorry that such things go on.

I haven't experienced anything like that. I used to do off road rc car racing but the clubs were very loosely organised.

Since I took up helicoptering I have only been a member of MK which is a wonderful club. It is helis only. It is a good way away from any buildings so noise isn't a problem. There are no politics (as far as I am aware). The club is run extremely competently by the very able committee members who are a great bunch of lads. There is no bias; everyone in the club treats me, a comparative novice, just the same as the most experienced 3D expert (usually plenty of p£ss taking).
All the members are very friendly and helpful. I couldn't wish for more.

Before you all rush to join, the downside is that there is a waiting list.

Sorry about sounding so smug but I agree with what has been posted above. Form your own, heli only, club. You won't regret it.

[George J]

Some good news to finish the weekend on.......Maj, Dentman and I all met up at a new flying site this afternoon for a fly. It will be fantastic once we sort a couple of things out. It's north facing so at no point during the day will the sun be in your face, nothing in front of you except sky but the best thing is that there will be 8 helicopter only like minded members that can fly there, lovely.
A big thank you to Rob who first got onto the site who then asked Paul (Dentman) if he'd like to get involved who in turn got Michael and I invited to join. Will still be looking for our own field but this is a massively welcome additional flying venue for us all.

[seajayess]

Have not had a call George so I take it I am not 1 of the chosen few ,

Some good news to finish the weekend on.......Maj, Dentman and I all met up at a new flying site this afternoon for a fly. It will be fantastic once we sort a couple of things out. It's north facing so at no point during the day will the sun be in your face, nothing in front of you except sky but the best thing is that there will be 8 helicopter only like minded members that can fly there, lovely.
A big thank you to Rob who first got onto the site who then asked Paul (Dentman) if he'd like to get involved who in turn got Michael and I invited to join. Will still be looking for our own field but this is a massively welcome additional flying venue for us all.