Two Oceans Slope Soarers 2011 aerobatics

Whew, Toss managed to offer up scary perfect weather for the third year in succession, probably nigh impossible for sloping anyhwere else in South Africa.
The 55kmh awesome wind for the Friday practice at Smitswinkle was only topped by the perfect aerobatics blow for Saturday at Red Hill.

The new generation moldies were so impressive up front that we thought slam dunk but the good pilots came through with a variety of of craft. Mark Wolfe got back to winning form with his seventies Primeus, big Louis even surprised himself with an excellent second with the Toucan (yes, bog stock Anton Benning Models Toucan), Steve Meusel third with the OD two week quick build 8020 using a Bobby Purnell fuse and Kev Farr was top moldie in fourth with the Vector.

A useful spread on results, glorious weather and the normal TOSS warm hospitality made for another magic weekend.

Back to El'cheapo foamies

This Saturday morning dawned idyllic for parkie flying (if only your scribe had been awake earlier ;-)

Paul had neatly fitted ailerons and elevator to the little R75 throw glider, now intended for slope soaring. A few adjustments and hand launches off the bank and this attractive little aerie looks a treat for the slope.

Dave had resurrected the Wipeout and replaced the 1800kv Suppo Witblitz motor with the 2600kv version of the same Suppo motor, along with a heavier 1100mah Hyperion lipo. The previously useful UHU hinging had completely broken down so was stripped off and redone, albeit with additional UHU rubbed in to the surrounding surfaces to give more "bite". If unsuccessful in the long run, some other method will be used but just a little heads up for those using the similar method.

Simon did the launching honours and the little model took off as rock steady as always and was obviously more perky, although the zero wind conditions made anything look good...... Possibly a little under propped with the smaller prop but pulled fine through large loops and extra long motor run compensated. The larger battery had moved the CG forward a touch and the dreaded flat spin could not be induced, no matter how hard we tried. Definitely a fun improvement to an already proven combo and thanks to Sy for the quick pic.

Springfield Chickens at Ziggi-nanda

It has taken a while to pick up on wind forecasting ala the Toss team with Windguru but an early Friday work departure was planned last weekend, based on new found respect for same. It was short and sharp as the Dion's Dive east area of the newly Russ-christened "Ziggi-nanda" delivered some awesome conditions for the test of Russ's rebuilt Shongiloma, before the unexpected approaching hail storm sent us scuttling for cover. The test proved fine, with the best vertical eights your's truly has seen, un-ballasted! The storm had moved on and cleared by the time we gathered at Russ and Mandy's home for a most pleasant braai.

Ryan admiring Le Coqy, wus magic in the conditions.

The wind, as Winguru predicted, switched to a useful SW for Saturday and Dave arrived late to find the mob having had a ball in the smooooth and powerful air. Mark was now fired to take on Toss aerobatics, with some help from Russ, and Dave managed to get in a useful flight each with the Le Cocy and Toksix, before the area completely clouded in (see the group pic completely backed by cloud). Simon gave some good advice on the Toksix settings and Ryan was quite taken with the Le Coqy, which had come back to life with the reinstated 150 grams ballast, which should never have been removed.

Would have sworn the Natal coast was impossible to wind predict but Windguru proving excellent so far:

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=4865

Here is a panarama video view and the cloud closing in on Dave taking the last flight with Toksix:

Dion's dive north east slope adjacent to Inanda

With the last Saturday wind looking useful but "beastly easterly" and off the right corner of Springfield, it was eventually decided by the Springfield Chickens to meet fearless leader Russ at Sasol garage and convoy up to the north east slope mountain, first Google earth discovered and explored by Dion Thompson and Ziggy way back. Dave made a complete klutchkop of himself by contending this was indeed not the same slope but fortunately Russ stuck to his guns and tested the short but possibly treacherous access road before phoning us to proceed.

The slope offers a vista from NE right through SE (quite handy on our coast) and looked gorgeous and unblemished on our arrival. We of course had to learn all over again that the Kzn NE slopes are overly thermic on very hot days and extremely treacherous in the sink cycles between the booming thermals. Lots went walkies and one of the walkie visits to the far left bowl by Mark and Dave for the encouraging Dyna-mite sloper prompted the realisation that we were in fact flying from the wrong spot for that wind direction! A revisit to the left hand bowl is looked forward to, especially as the access is less problematic for vehicles and folk.

Russ's Zagi refused to co-operate whilst the Nelson clan were quickly in the air with the srtreamer trailing Griffin and Zagi racer. Dave maidened the newly winged Toksix and Mark and Paul tried the camera mounted Middle Phase. Kobus was till charging. Then it all started to go wrong for a while with the aforementioned patches of sink and then a huge crunch as Russ comprehensively mid-aired his Toss 2011 destined Shongi, which put a real damper on things (but now fortunately almost repair complete). Lasses Kelly Conradt and Claire Phillips kept us all well behaved and the view in to the valley was really quite magic.

After various fetchings, it was obvious that Kobus was now having a ball with his OD PSS Mustang, which now had the slope to itself and was pretty impressive. When the noises were made to start heading home, yours truly started to twig that it was not all Mustang and the conditions were in fact getting more pleasant - and consistent. Fortunately Kobus and (new;-) Pete agreed to stay a while, which turned out quite a while! Pete had his first Gentle Lady slope fly since Springfield 18 years ago (including take off and landing) and Dave got to grips with the four servo winged Toksix. It is interesting that the moderate wind was smooth enough for the gas bag but also more than enough for the Toko winged Toksix.

Yes, a Switchblade it is probably not but certainly a useful scenic alternative for those Springfield days when the wind is good but not straight on. Probably wise to travel as a mob ala Switchblade, though (whereas the SW Inanda Ziggy site is completely void of spectators). More importantly, later in the afternoon on steamy days (only mad slopers and English men go out in the mid day sun ;-)

Mark's Missus, Claire Phillips, with the newly four servo winged Toksix, which flew a treat. Thanks to Russ for the hard work in getting it all together.

Spektrum DX8 radio personal review

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0ByxPEkmTgjQ1MzNiZjE3Y2EtMDk4My00M2QyLWExZDMtYjA0NGRiMGFlM2Q1&hl=en&authkey=CLilvuMN

The list of features on this radio are available from numerous web sites so below is a just mini review from this die hard Dx6i fan, now upgraded to this magic e-flight radio.

Midphase landing in the misty-rainy conditions. Dave's, Paul's and Russ' cars in the distance. Note the yellow blur - Mark Philips in his highly visible yellow jacket!!!!

Shot of Inanda dam from the midphase.....Dave flying just off the left leading edge of midphase

Russ....flying the midphase has his eye on Dave.....dead ahead.....

4 Springfield chickens flapped on over.....er....well....actually drove up to Inanda Hill on Saturday 11 December 2010 for a slopie session in the South-wester that showed up.....
Here is an aerial view from the Midphase of the 3 cars on Inanda Hill.......

Springfield remembrance fly and braai

Hi everyone,

When I sent out the first e-mail (Below is the pre-amble), I would never have believed what the result would have been. Three modellers who touched our lives in different ways, Pete and his amazing scale planes, Arthur and his engineering abilities for his original scale helicopters and that out and out affable character, Lynn. I believe everyone of us who came out of the woodwork yesterday was there because of our PAL's. To name a few, Gary Boase, Mike Thompson, Hynie, Fred and Rose, it was awesome to see you folks "Topside".

Ok, so we didn't get to Inanda Mountain, but Will's Hill was certainly second best option, (I learnt yesterday that Ziggy and William discovered this "Mountain", Ideas for a new name, please),.
It was magic to see so many people gather and enjoy the lift, if you didn't enjoy flying, at least the company was good.

Where to next? I propose that we set up the same get together every 3 months, using the option that we excercised yesterday between Inanda and Will's Hill, that helps balance the travelling for Johan and the PMB lads,

Thoughts PLEEEEEEZE!

I would like to thank Johan and Wi-Fly (sms's) for helping me drive yesterday's event, and to those who didn't pitch, sorry, but you missed out on and awesome day,

Till next time
Russ

Oh, please forward any all the your pictures to dave.greer@monteaglegroup.com and to me twsc@mweb.co.za, I would like to get a montage printed for our PAL"S families.

Paul please titles your contributions ;-)

SkyLark flown from this field - Sedgefield, near Knysna

Sharkie says black and white is right!

Mark confounded us again with the adage that anything will fly with enough grunt. Flew perfectly on the teeny tailerons, just needing a burst of throttle in the turns to counter the ducted fan unit blanking (as Kelvin explained). Turn the video below sound up for the fan howl and peanut gallery commentary. The glorious weather and successful maiden flight hopefully a good omen ahead of the Curry Cup final later on today - Viva Sharks!

Springfield Chickens Remembrance Day Fly and Braai

Hi everybody,

I have talked about it, pondered about it, and last night I talked myself into doing it.

"Springfield Chickens Remembrance Day Fly and Braai"

As you are all aware, we lost three special aeromodellers this year in Peter Milne, Arthur Pienaar and Lynn Bowen, it is time to get together and celebrate these gentlemen.

The inaugural event will be held on Saturday 13 th November 2010, Sunday 14th being the backup day, at the awesome "Inanda Mountain Slope Resort" (The Lodge still has to be built, nudge nudge wink wink). This special place has lots of options, the main one being Wow factor and at 2200 feet above sea level, we are a lot closer to our mates! Parking is not a problem and the slope works for just about every southerly direction, how do I know it will blow Southerly?
Pete, Arthur and Lynn will arrange for it to be Southerly.

Directions
The drive to to top is a simple one and I suggest that we meet at the Sasol on the M25, Kwa Mashu road at 10 in the morning, the route is on tar (31 km) all the way and very quick.


What do I need to do?
1. Bring a plane, anything that can fly off a slope
2. Bring a piece of your favourite protein to slap on a braai
3. Saama rules say "No Booze and Fly", I know we will save the yellow coke till after we have flown, a big please on this one chaps
4. Bring a chair, preferably with a drinks holder in the armrest
5. And lastly, bring a story that some of us don't know about "The Awesome Threesome"

I need your Cell numbers and if you can notify me if you are in or out, I will supply rolls based on conformation of numbers attending. Please tell a friend, bring family, they will not believe the View, our Blog pictures tell the story, but to stand on the top and look around is something that makes you go wow.

Lets make this special and remember our PAL's (Pete,Arthur, Lynn).
Russ Conradt
0828227887