1.10.2018: A & B tests took place yesterday. We were lucky with the weather. The sun was bright and a challenge for the flyers who went up first but the wind was light, the sky was blue and the cows kept their distance. Results were a little mixed due to a few out of character jitters from some usually excellent flyers but we had a good number of passes for the A Test so congratulations to Alex, Daniel, Hugh, Jake and Nigel. Thanks too to Graham and Maggie for organising refreshments and Canner for his cake.

A special thank you to Gary Peacock, Eddie Cross and Mick Broad our Harlow club examiners who gave up their time and were friendly and encouraging throughout the day.

26.9.2018: A & B Test update! Test date has had to been moved to Sunday 30th September .We are aiming to arrive at the Plains around 10am - there may be cattle to 'shoo' off the strip!

Section 1:
1. Pit and safety. 2. Pre-flight checks (remember range test and fail safe). 3. Start-up and traverse from the pits to the take off area (don't taxi). 4. Take-off circuit, 5. Figure of 8 (check your handbook or BMFA website if unsure of the exact manoeuvre required). 6. Rectangular circuit and land. 7. Recover, check plane and ready for next section.

Section 2:
1. Take off circuit. 2. Rectangular circuit in opposite direction (you will need to have executed a turn at the end of the previous circuit). 3. Dead stick and land in designated landing area (dead stick is performed flying into the wind). 4. Recover plane and perform post flight checks.

Continuity: the manoeuvres can be performed one after the other but it is not mandatory. Additional positioning circuits are allowed and these can be discussed with the examiner. How these are flown will though also be also be noted.

Intermediate Landing: If pre-agreed with the examiner, refueling or a battery change can be made. Most likely this would be after completion of section 1.

Q & A: Answer a number of questions from your examiner. If you are not sure what these are click the BFMA Website link above for the full list. There may be additional questions about local site rules.

For both tests: remember to announce your maneouvres if required such as flying a figure of 8, preparing to fly in the opposite direction, taking off, landing etc.

Section 1:
1. Pit and safety. 2. Pre-flight checks (remember range test and fail safe). 3. Start-up and traverse from the pits to the take off area (don't taxi). 4. Take-off circuit, 5. Figure of 8. 6. Fly into wind an inside loop. 7. Fly downwind an outside loop. 8. 2 rolls into wind. 9. 2 rolls down wind (rolls in opposite direction to the into wind rolls). 10. Stall turn (left or right but away from the flight line). 11. 3 turn spin. 12. Circuit and overshoot from below 10ft (as if to land). 13. Opposite circuit below 40ft. 14. Circuit and land. Recover plane and perform post flight checks.

Intermediate Landing: You are permitted to refuel or change a battery if prearranged with the examiner. As there is no natural break in the B Test you would request a mutually agreeable break to land.

Q & A: Answer a number of questions from your examiner. If you are not sure what these are click the BFMA Website link above for the full list. There may be additional questions about local site rules.

Note, check your handbook or the BFMA website for precise details of the maneouvres, they will need to be accurate.

16.9.2018: The club AGM yesterday at The Owl was well attended with a good mix of members from both our flying sites. Principle news was that Ian Hulme was proposed and accepted to take over as club Chairman. Denis Hammond chose to step down as Membership Secretary and Mark Adolphus was voted in to take over the role. Treasurer Peter Harvey presented a concise report on the club accounts which neatly led to a discussion about Banks Lane. The concensus was that member usage had increased significantly over the last year with new members joining so would be worth continuing with if no great change in costs. A question was raised about the need for more precise guidance on flight restrictions at Banks Lane. A working party of Banks Lane flyers were approved to set new guidelines.These will then be added to the website so members can have a single access point for our flying rules and not rely on word of mouth.

29.9.2018: Date for the Achievement Tests has been confirmed at the Plains, with the following day reserved in case of bad weather. Examiners will be overseeing A and B Fixed-wing Certificate Tests. Be aware that A and B test cannot be combined, but both tests can be taken on the same day. You will be expected to provide an airworthy plane to suit conditions. Eg. Wot 4 foamie is not the tool for a really blustery day.

We have a club trainer available (balsa/electric) which will cope with higher winds than a foamie. If you think you might want to use this please arrange a time via our whatsap group to have a trial flight(s) before the Test day. There will not be time for practice on the day. Graham will need to register all tests prior to the event so please let him know if you want to have a go. Those who have already notified him need not do so again. Flying on the Plains on the 29th will be reserved for members doing their test. Other members are asked not to go to the Plains until they have confirmation that the tests are completed. Updates will be given via WhatsApp but provisionally it is suggested that members arrive around 10am.

For anyone who would like to review what the mandatory questions for the A and B test are, you can find them at the BFMA Website link above. Don't forget you will also need to know your basic pre-flight and post flight routines.

31.7.2018: Our Fun Fly day is 2nd September when members of the public will be invited along to our club's open day. Anyone interested in flying a remote control aircraft can request a flying experience under the guidance of some of our senior members (depending on the number of interested people and weather of course). And, on this occasion, members will have the rare opportunity of driving across the plains to the strip so we expect to see some larger models in action! If you have a young neighbour, relative etc, please encourage them to come along.

11.7.2018: Normal service has been resumed, let's get back to those airplanes!

7.7.2018: England 2, Sweden 0, England progress to a World Cup semi final! Yes I know it's got nothing to do with flying small airplanes.

1.6.2018: Two diary dates for our members! First, a social evening at The Owl on Friday 15th of June at 7:30pm. Second, the club AMG will be on Friday 14th of September at 8pm.