Laois Scale Fly In April 17, 2011
Photos from this event can be viewed in the gallery -- click here.
A great turn out on a great day, blue sky, light winds and spring warmth heralded a great start for the season of scale flying.
Laois MAC had the pleasure of hosting the Scale Fly In on behalf of the Scale Association. Some 26 pilots made the trip, and on display, flown and safely landed were many aircraft types. A great number of pilots brought at least two scale aircraft.
All aircraft were of a high standard, and piloted in a scale like manner, and to mention but a few is part of a much bigger picture. Apologies to those pilots mentioned for any inaccuracies, and apologies to those pilots not mentioned for none.
Andy Ryan who is highly regarded in scale circles, brought a Cessna powered by a Thor gas engine, 45cc, 117 inch wingspan, and a very fine Jodel with a Zenoah gas engine, 62cc, 100 inch wingspan.
With bigger and inevitably heavier scale models, the requirement for large model registration kicks in (over 7kg in weight), and safety concerns should dictate a recommendation for double battery packs to power the receiver(s) and servos. Andy uses two Li Po batteries, 2S, 7.4 volts, and a power regulator in his large and impressive aircraft.
A Hangar 9 Taylorcraft powered by a boxer twin, ASP 160, was put through its paces by Kieran McEvoy. A wonderful four stroke note is heard on acceleration from low to high power cycles, the way to go for the serious scale enthusiast.
A very fine example of a De Havilland DH60 Moth, Gipsy Moth, built by Denis O’Brien, was flown expertly in scale fashion. This aircraft is powered by a Saito 100 glow four stroke engine, and of interest was previously a Stampe from a Precedent kit and then converted to a Gipsy Moth.
Two unusual aircraft, RV8, Denight Special, were tried tested and flown by Graham Dwyer, one powered by an electric powerplant, E Flight 60, and the other by a glow heli engine. Both aircraft were wickedly fast and certainly not for the wobbly knee pilot out there.
Many scale enthusiasts took notice of a Gilmore Racer, in cream coloured livery with bold red markings, powered by a Thor 4cc gas engine, and put through a bristling set of manoeuvres in great style by Ger Kilbey of the Shankill Club.
In all, there was a large selection of aircraft on view to whet the appetite of the scale pilot, and the accompanying photographs showcase some of the aircraft already mentioned and some of the many others there on the day.
The scale aircraft sport is alive and well, and to those who travelled thank you, you made it happen, a truly impressive turn out and total absorption of what we know and do best.
A very big thanks to all who organised this day event, the Scale Association, Laois MAC and crew for hosting with supplies of tea, coffee and biscuits, flight management and safety awareness. A special thanks to Seamus Foy who made it his business to cut and roll the runways for the day.
It was rewarding to meet so many scale pilots from other clubs, Shankill, Tipperary and to list but a few. Your spirit of joint adventure puts the scale community in good standing and bodes well for the future. Let the season continue as it has begun, well attended and a bond of common interest in all matters scale.
A good selection of photographs taken by ace pilot Paul Byrne, are up on the Laois MAC website, www.airlaois.com, and well worth a look.