Missing my flying

[Scotvar]

It's been a long time since I posted on here and I have to say it's very quiet on here nowadays.

Like most people I know, work, kids, lack of spare time and life (and erm... motorbikes!) gets in the way of flying, and this stupid virus which has meant I've only had 4 weeks at home all year. It has however, given me lots of time to think about what I used to really enjoy and how much time over the last 12 years I actually put into this hobby.

Does anyone else really miss flying but just doesn't get the chance? I've recently dusted off Phoenix (I didn't even know it was not supported anymore!) and remembered the laughs I used to have at the flying field.

I hope Lee Made2Fade doesn't mind me posting one of his videos of me with my old 130X proving that it's the only heli you need on a windy day!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAL0gfAsTuQ

I hope all the lads that used to fly at the Leas in South Shields and still do at BVRMC are all doing ok as well as all the people I used to converse with on here regularly.

Paul

[trillian]

Well, this year has seen the absolute least flying for such a long stretch of time since I started in the hobby. I miss it, but odd as it may sound, It has been so long that I kinda forget what I'm missing.

It's very frustrating because I have lots of helis that fly great and just last year I built a new super lightweight 800 and barely got to fly it due to radio problems, then by the time I had that sorted the weather turned sour. Then, even though we had some decent weather over the summer and the lockdowns were lifted, I was in the process of dealing with other things and lost the two best months. Then it has been relentless rain and wind... until recently... when we're in another lockdown. The BMFA appears to be advising clubs not to fly as the club field could be classified as a 'sports ground', which I would strongly disagree with because very few club fields are dedicated to the purpose of flying. Ours is a farmer's field and the primary purpose of the land is for cattle to graze on.

So, I guess I must make myself put in some sim time and just hope this lockdown is only 28 days.

[Mike Sanders]

I too am pretty frustrated at not being able to fly.

As I understand the current regulations, sports clubs, arenas etc are to be closed. I don't regard model helicopter flying as a sport. It may be for the 3D, F3N, F3C etc people but it is no more than a hobby for me. There is no element of competitiveness so it is not a sport. The rules allow me to meet up with one person, not a member of my household, for exercise or recreation. This means that I could go to our club and fly with one other. Unfortunately the BMFA don't see it that way and have advised that all clubs must close. So there it is, ours is closed.

I have been at home for the last three days of the best flying weather we have had for years. It has been bright, sunny and windless. I am doing a bit of woodwork.

[Planehazza]

Pablo! Was good to see you recently, mate. Next time I'm buying the curry..

It seems a lot are coming back to the hobby. I think really you never leave; sometimes the breaks are just extra long. I got a shock at just how expensive everything is now.

We gonna see you down BVRMC soon, once this lock down ****s off again.

[squareben]

Ahh it's frustrating! It's the same with my club. Field officially closed. I get it why clubs are following the BMFA's advice - which I assume in part comes as a need to be compliant with government regulations for insurance requirements etc, but why not be a little bit flexible and say it's fine to fly, but maximum of 2 people at a field at any one time if not from the same household? I'm sure most clubs could quickly arrange a rota system of some sort to allow members to share flying time and get a bit of a fix!

I know we're just sharing the pain with golfers and tennis players and others who must feel similarly hard done by, but this does feel particularly illogical to me and much more likely to harm physical and mental health, than prevent any covid infections.

Fingers crossed only 25 days to go!

[Scotvar]

I think it's safe to say that for most, 2020 has been pretty much a write off in nearly every sense of the word and for sure, common sense is not being applied for hobbyists but I also hope that clubs are able to determine a system which will allow people to fly. Reduced numbers, increased spacings and possible time slots could all work I guess but for me, a huge amount of the enjoyment was catching up with my friends and having a good crack on. I'd have days where I'd go to the field with a few different models, numerous batteries and come home hours later after only 2 or 3 flights of one heli having spent most of my time emjoying the social side. Don't get me wrong, I've also had days where I've used a half dozen batteries in less than an hour!

I guess lockdown will mean people can hopefully have time to work on our projects but the projects aren't as much fun if we can't regularly test them. That's my opinion anyway!

Sadly I don't foresee a return to normal anytime soon so I just hope the hobby can survive this, especially as in many clubs, many flyers would be in the high risk groups.

Paul

[Scotvar]

Pablo! Was good to see you recently, mate. Next time I'm buying the curry..

It seems a lot are coming back to the hobby. I think really you never leave; sometimes the breaks are just extra long. I got a shock at just how expensive everything is now.

We gonna see you down BVRMC soon, once this lock down ****s off again.

Hazza!

Definitely good to catch up with you mate. Sadly I have no idea when I'll be home next, I'm due home on the 22nd of December but I have a feeling the border here might close again and I can't afford to not be able to get back to work so I'll be playing things by ear.

As for buying the curry, do you not mean the tequilas?!! ;-)

Whenever it is I get back, for sure I'll be out, it would be great to have a good flying session with you, Dave (Maddog7), Lee (Made2Fade) and Dave (AllenKey) again! It's been far too long!

Paul

[Planehazza]

Hazza!

Definitely good to catch up with you mate. Sadly I have no idea when I'll be home next, I'm due home on the 22nd of December but I have a feeling the border here might close again and I can't afford to not be able to get back to work so I'll be playing things by ear.

As for buying the curry, do you not mean the tequilas?!! ;-)

Whenever it is I get back, for sure I'll be out, it would be great to have a good flying session with you, Dave (Maddog7), Lee (Made2Fade) and Dave (AllenKey) again! It's been far too long!

Paul

Indeed mate. Haha As soon as I saw "Hazza!" I knew tequila would be in the message somewhere; I was not disappointed!

Well, get yourself a nice new toy mate, and I'll build it for your return. I'm itching a build and if it's your money, even better! Haha

[Scotvar]

Indeed mate. Haha As soon as I saw "Hazza!" I knew tequila would be in the message somewhere; I was not disappointed!

Well, get yourself a nice new toy mate, and I'll build it for your return. I'm itching a build and if it's your money, even better! Haha

Tequilas never disappoint Hazza!

Sadly I've already far too many helis, of which a lot will very sadly be obsolete now but I've still 2 or 3 in the pipeline that I haven't flown yet and thoroughly intend to get maidened... before the end of this decade!

Just 2 things stopping me now, firstly I need to get home then this virus needs to do one!!

Paul

[Made2Fade]

I hope Lee Made2Fade doesn't mind me posting one of his videos of me with my old 130X proving that it's the only heli you need on a windy day!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAL0gfAsTuQ

The Geordie gob on that video! haha... that was a very long time ago Paul , seems like yesterday though Hoping to catch you at BVRMC maybe on your next trip home buddy. Nothing wrong with the bikes either - i'm looking to purchase a new one next year - i fancey a Ducati Hypermotard
Hopefully i can get out with yous

The 130X is now replaced by the new latest and greatest OMP M2 - mint also in the wind haha Check it out, love mine.

[Scotvar]

The Geordie gob on that video! haha... that was a very long time ago Paul , seems like yesterday though Hoping to catch you at BVRMC maybe on your next trip home buddy. Nothing wrong with the bikes either - i'm looking to purchase a new one next year - i fancey a Ducati Hypermotard
Hopefully i can get out with yous

The 130X is now replaced by the new latest and greatest OMP M2 - mint also in the wind haha Check it out, love mine.

It definitely does seem like just yesterday mate, time has passed far too quickly for my liking... we're both in our 40s now!!

I loved my 130X but after one too many crashes it lost tail authority and no matter what I did, I couldn't get it to hold properly and the tail would blow out a lot. I think mine is still sat in a cupboard somewhere but I'd be happy to update the model but I'll wait until I get home... unless depression takes me and I lapse into retail therapy haha!

As for bikes, you're more than welcome anytime to join us mate! We'll get you to go round Cadwell Park on that bike too, would be a laugh on that circuit!

On a side note, I really miss flying at the Leas, it was a fantastic flying spot, just a shame about all the dog walkers!

I meant to ask Lee, how's your football team doing?!!

Paul

[Planehazza]

I meant to ask Lee, how's your football team doing?!!

Paul

Not really good or bad. It's not a... black or white answer

[Made2Fade]

I meant to ask Lee, how's your football team doing?!!

Paul

South Shields are doing great buddy

[j2m]

When the BMFA advice re second lockdown first came out, I felt the approach was heavy-handed and simplistic ("flying was never banned but don't fly because the government says sports need to shut down") and I asked Andy Symons to explain why clubs couldn't allow two people, socially distanced, to fly. The later advice issued last week acknowledged that clubs could allow two members to use club facilities but still advised against it on the grounds that it might jeopardise a club's position with the landowner or members of the public might react. My personal view is that, depending on a club's location/circumstances, there will often be scope for flying to continue limited to two people at a time, but it seems many clubs simply decided to follow the BMFA’s recommendation without much thought. Very tough year if you are a keen flyer and missed all the great weather during lockdown 1!

[p4ddy]

Strap a logo xxtreme on your back lol