cell phone taster from Toss 2009 slope experience

The Toss-ers Red Hill view toward Simonstown for the entire weekend, what a blissful pleasure......
The club hard core, Theunis, Georg with an E, Steve, Kev and Jeff welcome the Durbanites with breakfast at Dixies and discuss prize allocations before accompanying us up the slope, joined by Gus and Bill, to help through the Friday practice session - the hospitality unwavering through the three days. The whole team lept to the rescue when yours truly launched Prodij with ailerons reversed. Gus Thomas joined us on the hill and was one the Dixies watering hole stalwarts.

The early team assembling the Clowns banners at the car park in the morning.

DMAC's man Russ Conradt at first practice session, starting with the Dion Thompson Wasp mini plank foamie that proved an ideal taster for the slope.

The entire mob enjoying dinner at Dixies - now that is a clubhouse venue with a difference!

The view from launch area back to the landing zone - initially tentative on landing, the Durbanites were soon plonking on top of the bushes with them all. An amazingly successful system and we saw no competitor landing breakages at all, over the entire weekend.

Toss's iron man Bill Dewey, with a heart of gold - we won't forget these local folk who made us so welcome, ever. Many of the Tossers are not mentioned in this brief event taster, but all were magic.

Out of sequence pic but chairman and red wine lover Kevin Farr, who agonised and plotted so carefully for this event along with his backbone team with the result that there was not one solitary glitch. How anyone will ever top this event.....?

Contest action with two pilots up at a time and alternating the sequence. Judges Andy Anderson and Johnny Calefato offered much guidance during the breaks, along with chief judge John Lightfoot. We really had a good chat with Johnny and John about the old days, at the Dixies Dinner on Saturday evening. The two man up system was flawless and the only way to go, aspiring slope contest folk take special note.

Flightline action with Malcolm about to land and Theunis getting ready to launch. Given his short learning period, Theunis really impressed as a newbie aerobatic flyer. The sixteen competitors were truly blessed.

Kev calls for Malcolm whilst the judges look on.

Grant's impressively bedecked flying hat. Grant was one of those who lead us astray on the unplanned and very late but excellent Friday night Dixies thrash......

The well stocked feeding tent with the impressive Toss logo and Rose giving us her customary smile. Rose hung with us at all the Dixie gatherings, along with hubby Jeff and son Nick - nice to see such family involvement.

Well organised so that all pilots were on separate frequencies but Toss discipline was such that the neat peg board remained in use.

Special mention for friend Grant Lyle at Fragram Tools who has supported many of soaring events and put up this box of well appreciated doodads which were included in the pilot goodie bags chock full of caps, stickers (thanks Russ) and welcoming letters.

Some of the pilots waiting for the final crunching of the results - what a backdrop for three whole days!

The humongous floating trophy with the very, very special top three place trophies. The two Toss logo wine backs (with wines) were awarded to the surprised and grateful Durban pilots. The champagne went to the judges and each and every participant received a magic prize bag of goodies, in addition to the afore-mentioned pilot handout bags. Kevin had a local sponsor list as long as his arm - man, but these Cape folk are generous.

Another close up of the top three overall trophies - wow.......

The top three folk with their planes and trophies - Steve, Mark and Damien. Steve has to have a special mention for sparking the Friday night thrash, letting us get him completely vrot and being fragile for the rest of the weekend - did not hamper his flying one little bit, that Opus was really something. Mark kept up the interesting chat with us during the event and Damien was always Mr Cheerful.

Our oh so special view from the car park, unchanged for three days. Russ kept up the Springfield DMAC side with an excellent fourth overall and top dog in the Half Pipe third round. Your's truly had a shaky but enjoyable time with the Prodij and was not unhappy with ninth out of sixteen.

A full visitor view will be added to Kevin's fuller nuts and bolts report, in due course. Russ also has a DVD full of pics to add to this blog. We are both out of superlatives for this awesome events, except to say:

TOSS-ERS, YOU ROCK!

Added: the event results now online on the club web site:

http://www.toss.co.za/

Maiden of the cross tail Prodij - Chapter 1

The cross tail Prodij (pardon the glare) after the maiden between the mist and showers at Derek's Dale on the weekend. The fin and rudder unashamedly cribbed from the Middle Phase (always been a Foss fan) but Dion reckoned it was the worst he had ever seen - just no accounting for taste, I guess.... ;-)

What a sweetie to fly (but I guess same for the V) and only two peeps of up trim needed (the substituted more clunky PCM receiver moved the CG from 73mm to 71mm). Tracked so true - these Aeromod planes are stunningly well designed and made. Would never have believed one could shoehorn four micro mini servos, a ten channel receiver, five cell 1100mah pack and 440 gram ballast in to that sleak little fuselage.

Never been impressed with spoileron braking until using these 30% flaperons - plane went from 40 metres to zero so quick on the first landing, there was almost no flare out time.

The elevator was straight "shadow projection" of the V tail to get down to the right size and was viceless.

Light conditions so stayed with 150 grams ballast, dying to see the 440gram sled in business.

The red / white tail combination was chosen for visibility and stuck out like the proverbials. Red will be added to the tips to achieve the same as the murky conditions blended the wing just a tad too much.

Of interest to those slopers who habitually only fast charge planes at the slope, the Nosram five dumpy cell 1100 mah (now coming out in 1600 mah) receiver pack comprises fast charge nimh and is specified to be charged at 1.2 amp. The pack also balanced the plane as above without a single gram of lead added and was siliconed in for security.

Eish, why was this not finished two years ago.....? ;-) Chapter 2 will be Le Coquillaj when a suitable receiver is sorted.

Correct route to Red Hill slope for the TOSS event

Regrets to Kev on being tardy on loading up these google pics for the correct approach to Red Hill, rather than Dave's long cut 9k approach.... Click on the pics.
Some updated comments from Kev on the forthcoming TOSS slope event:

"what pressure?... this is Cape Town dude.... no pressure.

Really looking forward to having you guys in town.

But seriously, all is organised, to Navy tents on the slope that will be put up and taken down by the navy's maritime reaction squadron, speakers, pa systems, food, drinks, all the goodies.

Got a lot of help from a lot of people and the TOSS guys have really come to the party with donations of trophies etc... as well as the stuff you guys are bringing down, so were all kinda primed and ready to go.

....as mentioned before, we may well have to do a certain day as a roving event based on the wind, and are keeping Signal Hill, Kommetjie and Cape Point as possible other venues should the wind jab us in the arse...

we will just have to fly as the wind dictates... albeit minus the tents and all the lekker goodies, but we will still be able to get some scores going.... so you may not have toooo much time in the pub!

Springfield queue - 16 December

Nice to see a mob again on Springfield, for some enjoyable Summer flying.

TOSS slope 2009 - sneak peak visit to Red Hill 2 December 2008

An idyllic little Simonstown to visit for a spare day (hint hint), packed with interesting views, including this magical view from bay side eating house. The slash up the front of the mountain in the rear is part of the 9 kilometre (yes) road to the top of Red Hill!

Stunning view from the slope spot to across to the town itself - made all the more interesting by the rare continual Navy firing practice on the visit day.

A quick call to Kev Farr revealed that this was indeed Wayne who has sneaked out for some mid week flying with the scale Fox. Wayne kindly talked me through the flying and landing zones and explained the area in general.

The Toss boys have gone to much trouble to clear this lading zone, although the "fyn bos" to one side is still a favourite with the locals.

Wayne with his flap equipped Fox - his landing was a total doddle with flaps in the guess 30km wind. Just a bit of discipline and flaps called for. Unfortunately the cell rang just as I was about to snap the landing approach pic.

Centre view from the pilot area of the slope - as uninterrupted air as anyone could dream for....

More of the popular "fyn bos" landing area to the town facing side of the cleared landing area.

Parking area for the limited entry. Nice view spot in itself.

Kev had mentioned to Russ that no session is complete without a visit to "Dixies" down below. A watering hole dripping with atmosphere and looking on the stone throw away sea. See reflection in the window.




Man, this one event I am looking forward to. The airport to Hill top distance was an easy 50km (with a swerve of to Kennilworth), including the 9k to the top of Red Hill.

Springfield chickens up north.....

The Umdloti Flyers (Geoff, Mathew, Claire, Mark and junior) celebrating the Currie cup win with the aptly decorated Sharkie - originally a Sticktime Bat which performed magically on its debute at Derek's Dale. Mike and Mathew with the Plane Game Skylark which has proved a revelation for accelerated learning.

Even Uncle Dave has a Skylark (for the god daughter, you understand ;-), which has opened up previously iffy spots for this small by efficient craft - off the back of the Umdloti pimple at sunset, for instance.....

The Inanda Dam view from the west side of Dereks Dale at 7:30 on a Saturday morning - very, very special.....

New blood is an amazing thing. As mentioned in blast from past, Mark Phillips is a product of the early nineties regular beginner sessions and enticed Dave to start up again closer to home. By sheer co-incidence, Plane Game offloaded a dozen or so little Chinese Skylark electric soarers, complete with bat, charger and 35 meg radio, all for R350 a pop. The guys had ou Dave out at Derek’s Dale at 7:30am (this is someone who does not believe in morning sloping) and between the slope lift and getting out of trouble with electric assist, the learning curve was accelerated at exponential rate. The were four of these little Chinese beasties and running between three all flying at the same time did wonders for the heart rate..... ;-) Guess what – a bunch of fun.

Name the Plane

Piet, your chance to win your beer back! Can you name the sloper in the picture? Also, more importantly, does anyone still own one locally. If you do, let me know please - the designer and creater of this strange looking design is asking.(pictures welcome)

Here you go!







Sorry Piet, Mike May beat you to it. Enjoy the Millers Mike.
It is, of course, a J.A.D.E. Telos from some twenty years ago. Richard Jarel is spooling up a limited re-run of these kits if anyone is interested. Here is the link http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=955809
(Thanks Dave for the link in the Comments section)
Mine is already ordered - any more takers? Oh, and anyone aware of anyone local who still has one still?

TOSS slope aerobatics end Jan 2009

Read about the event here:

http://www.toss.co.za/

De Havilland Hornet

Hi Guys,

If you've been wondering what I've been up to, well here she is! 2m wingspan scratchbuilt De Havilland Hornet with retracts and two Mamba Electric engines. The real aircraft came out in 1945 just to late to see action in WW2, so was the last piston engined fighter of the RAF as well as the arguably fastest. As she was to be mostly carrier based (against the Japs) she performs well at slow speeds. Single seater with 4 x 20mm cannon in the nose, she is the younger sister to the famous Mosquito. The real plane had 2000 Horsepower Rolls Royce Merlin engines each side (compare that to a 150 HP skiboat engine or a Beachcraft Barren 7 seater twin with only 450HP a side.

I am in the process of cladding the Nacelles (not easy!) and then have only the engine farings to make as well as the undercarriage doors, cockpit & canopy. I will be giving her a resin coat before spray painting. I started in March this year but will only be finished some time in the new year.

Electric power is a big learning curve. I have chosen 2 Scorpion Brushless Outrunners with 70A speed controller turning 15 x 8 props. batteries are 3000Mh 14.8V Lipo's. The total aircraft weight will be around 6kg's.

Building a monster like this is not for sissys......!

Whew, wot a tense rugger final

Mark Phillips taking foamie flying to another level.... ;-)

Can you spot the differences

Old Prepatation Piet up in Gauteng is testing my aircraft identification skills once again on the BERG blog, but this time he is adamant that I am wrong and he is right. He posted a picture of a glider dumping its water ballast, and I correctly identified it as a DG LS10. Piet reckons its a LS8, because, according to him, only the LS10 has upturned wing tips.

Can you spot the difference - First, the photo that started it all!

Two more of a DG LS10

And now two of a LS8

Maybe I should send Piet to an optometrist - I just happen to know one that practices in his area.

Dave's sundowner for Saturdays

So impressive was the Mini Ultra Stick at the recent control line event that a kit was tracked down at Digby's shop (thanks to Neville and Russ for the lead). Kit is the wrong term cause it took under two hours assemble this amazingly complete and immaculately produced little craft. The only glue needed was to locate the optional firewall in the front! The brushless speed 480 and 12/6 prop combo definitely a little over the top as the craft tootled around nicely at half power. The only single teeny glitch in the whole assembly was the instructions calling for a 3/32 instead of 1/16 hole in the servo arms - stunning. Oodles of room for the DX6i gear - a nice cosy radio option for park and all sport flying.

Blast from the past - Saturday mornings

Mark Phillips is a product of the DMAC early Saturday morning RC soaring lessons in the early 90's. Mark then went awol for a decade but micro helicopters prompted him back in to the flying scene. He has got us back in to the healthy habit of 7:30am starts, followed by breakfast at 9:00am and the whole weekend thus still ahead. The E Hawk with brushless 480 and 2.4g connection has proved a sweetie - kinda like the old Easy Bird with a motor.....
Sheer soaring pleasure afore many people are stirring for the day.... Saturday mornings definitely a good habit to cultivate again.

The trick in this game is to always be one step ahead and the Mini Bee with stock motor the ideal foil to get the next step in to sloping. A bit porky with the huge 2000 lipo, so marginal on the flat but ideal for slope days at Derek's Dale etc. Mark also completing a foamie Expo for some evening Park flying.