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| JAN - JUN |
Most recent event will always be at the top
Six of us headed south again to Andreas field in Offaly.
John travelled up again from Cork with his Velox and Eurofighter Peter's Brought his new P70 powered Boomerang and notched up quite a few flights over the weekend. Andreas himself had out the Jet Legend F20 along with his Sprint A new model out for it's first flight was this Jet Legend Hawk fitted with a Jetcat P70 Shaun had out his big Velox again, big model! The boomerangs were trying to do knife edge passes, dont know if it was the pilot skill or my bad camera work but this is the best I got ! Round 2 of the NIAA aerobatics took place at the North West Club in Newbuildings.
Thanks to Mathew & David for running the event and to the North west club for the great BBQ and great venue which will be even better next year as the main runway is to be extended even further. Mathew and David were the Judges, and both put on some displays throughout the day.
Congrats also to Mathew for becoming the BMFA IMAC National Champion 2010 at the Nats this year LMFC is really pround of Seamus Gibson getting third place in the Basic with his son Ciaran taking fourth, both flying Prangsters.
Stuart from the NW club took second in the Basic with his big Yak The old Boomerang won the Basic, Gordon recons it was his calling and not the flying that done it !
Gordon took top honours in the sportsman class David Drummond won the intermediate Everyone says you have to go to the Nationals and I can see why now, it is a huge event, all types of model flying displines taking place at the one time.
To give an idea on the size of area the nats takes up, there are five RC flight lines on the main runway, plus two more on other parts of the airfield all running at the same time.
The camp site is huge and staying on site is a must for the atmosphere and being there for the evening flying and Bar in the big Hanger.
What was strange from other events, is you drive everywhere to each flightline, trade area, indoor flying hanger etc, you have to really as it is so big, and probably why Caravans & Tents are the most popular as a Camper Van leaves you more restricted unless you bring a Moped on the back!
Unfortunatly it was very windy on Saturday and Sunday and the flying side was low but still plenty to do and lots of trade.
If you hav'nt been before the nationals are a must and top on my list for next year. Some pics below. Flying was badly cut short this year due to the strong winds, so not many flying pics, some of the stuff seen on the Saturday before lunch.
The Big T45 Hawk was really impressive and looked so real in the sky especially coming into land My favourites was the two big 1/3rd scale Balsa USA Stearmans flown by Steve Holland and Richard Rawle.
The display was very relistic with smoke and wing walkers waving thier arms and different leg poses etc. very clever. Peter carson from the Langford club getting his Elan ready for flight.
Some more of the Jets on the Showline below. Looking forward to next year already! Broughshane Fly-In is always one not to miss, so 8 of us from the Letterkenny & Kesh Clubs made the trip on Sunday.
Turnout was not as good as other years but we all had a great day and the BBQ kept us fed all day. Seemed to be more sitting done than flying, the gazebo came in useful wih a light shower later in the day, but did'nt last long. The runway is always in great shape and ideal for jets, so we always bring them along. Robert brought along his big 1/3rd scale Stearman Some of us were invited down to the opening of Andreas own private field near cloughan in Co.Offaly for a Jet flying weekend.
Andreas had been working hard the past two months getting the field in shape, and done a great job in such a short time.
It is a great site with good approaches from both ends with plenty of open area to fly over.
Robert, Harry, Cecil and Myself travelled down on Saturday morning, planning on staying the whole weekend. Gordon & Ken then joined us on Sunday morning.
Andreas, Shaun, John Beasley and John Duggan where already there when we arrived shortly after eleven.
The pit area is nicely sheltered from wind/rain/sun with over hanging trees, which were very welcome on Sunday with the strong sun. Andreas had some very nice jets with him over the weekend two Jet Legend models here the L39 and F20. Andreas also had the first flight of his Skymaster F4 Phantom, a very impressive model in size and sound in the air with a big Simjet Nexus for power.
Andreas definatly deserved the prize for the biggest "brass monkeys" over the weekend. John Beasley travelled up from Cork with his very nice Velox It was not just Jets, Shaun who flys with Andreas likes the big stuff and had some very impressive ones with him. Robert brought his big Extra and done some prop hanging! Andreas also had a big Pitts with him as well. Andreas had a novel method of transporting his pitts to the shed for overnight storage for the next day. Unfortunatly this was the scene most of the weekend for poor Cecil, starter and ECU problems preventing him from getting much flying until Sunday. It was a great weekend total of 65 Jet flights logged over the weekend with over 50 of them from us lot down from the north!.
Jury is still out as to whom had the most flights as Robert flew two jets and Harry recons it can only be based on one! So with that we will have to give it to Harry.
I was pleased my Boomerang clocked up and past it's 100 flight over the weekend, nearly exactly a year since I first flew it and hope it will do another 100 between now and this time next year.
Big Thanks to Andreas & Shaun for Inviting us down, and for the great Flying, Weather, Accomadation, Food and the crack. Dissapointing turn out for the North West Flyin/Combat day.
Aidan flew his is big Stinson I brought the Boomerang for the first time to NWJet Weekend at Andreas Field 09/10th October 2010
After such an enjoyable time on our first visit we just had to go again before the days got shorter.
* * * * * * NIAA Aerobatics Round2 NWMAC 4th September 2010
Day started of a bit wet but cleared enough that each of the three IMAC Schedules Basic, Sportsman & Intermediate managed to get three rounds.
Dad Seamus knows it wont be long before his boys will pass him out, so he will milk this one !
Was good fun flying a jet for the first time in an aerobatic competion.
* * * * * * BMFA Nationals Barkston Heath 28-30th August 2010
Sunday morning is taken up with the swap meet, this is a must with a massive amount of stuff for sale, have to be up early as the rush in the door starts at 7:30am!
* * * * * * Seven Towers Flyin Broughshane 22nd August 2010
* * * * * * Jet Fly-In at the New IJMFC site in Co.Offaly 14/15th August 2010
* * * * * * NWMAC Fly-In 18th July 2010
Many obviously looked at the forecast and decided not to go which was a pity as it turned out to be a good day and the North west club always look after you well with a good BBQ and Hospitality
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