October Indoor Flying with The Phoenix

Another interesting and fun-filled night was had by those who were able to attend the October gathering of indoor fliers, both with fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Peter Melders thrilled all with his Tri-copter and, although we witnessed its flying ability a month or so ago, on this night we saw it flying with larger propellers. It was just so stable and well-controlled in his hands, that he made it look as though it was a “piece of cake.”

The little FORCE combat helicopters were again a source of amusement for both pilots and the spectators, whose numbers had grown to quite a presentable group. The fact that one does not pay to watch should, when the word travels, enlarge our viewing audience, hopefully.

Vin Pike, whom you see in one of my pictures, fully laid back in a picture of complete relaxation, was introduced to the combat portion of entertainment with glee and found that he could not refuse Mike O’Reilly’s instruction, which was…”here Vin, fly this.” I’m sure that Vin will show up next month, flying his own little Force FHX combat heli which Model Flight imports from Horizon Hobbies in the U.S.A. All you have to do Vin is pass the word to Peter Smyth.

There were exciting movements around the old town this week when the General Manager of Model Flight, Jamie Nancarrow, took Merrin O’Reilly to be his beautiful bride, welding together for many years to come, the Model Flight Empire of the O’Reilly’s and Nancarrow’s and I’m sure that you all join me in wishing them a wonderful future. I just had to slip in a picture of the overjoyed parents of the bride, Michael and Janine. I actually think that that is a smug look on the face of the father of the bride. So it should be!

Matthew Waye appeared to be having a quiet evening and when my camera grabbed him, as you can see, he was looking immaculately groomed with a very close shave etc. What’s going on Mattie, is there a lovely lady in town this week?

My final picture is of Model Flight Staffers, Brenton and David with the Managing Director, Mike and their models.

Towards the end of flying time, almost two hours from commencing ten dollars of flying time, Andy put his foam pylons in place for those who wished to join him in flying indoor pylon and this is yet another attraction that our ETSA Park Netball Stadium fliers, who gather there on the third Thursday of each month, right throughout the year, can look forward to as added entertainment for them in the Railway Terrace, Mile End venue. Your friendly Phoenix looks forward to seeing you there.

I was speaking with another Staffer, Tim (he is the one who retrieves packages from the top shelf at the OMP's Warehouse at Lonsdale, without a ladder) and he was saying that they keep running out of the 120SR’s almost as the container arrives. SR standing for single rotor. I am having my most enjoyable indoors with one of these outstanding models and I suggest that, if interested you contact Store Manager, Brad , and ask him to let you know when one is available. You won’t regret it.

The Phoenix.

The Phoenix Freezes at ETSA Park in August

As I exited my driveway at a tad after seven for our Monthly Indoor Flying Event at ETSA Park, I later discovered that 17 other warm blooded pilots were stalwartly joining me on the road to what was to become, our coldest night on record at that venue. No fear of my wings melting and falling to earth from my body. One of the most sensible arrivals was one gentleman, complete with, what appeared to be a delightfully thick woolen hoody and as the night became even colder, I had wished for the strength to remove it for my own use.

However, dear readers, even under these quite torrid conditions, we had come to ETSA to fly our electric models, both fixed wing and helicopters, all of various materials from balsa in the more conventional style, to some of the latest models from your favourite model shop, such as the Blade 120SR which was making its second public appearance. This it did with some aplomb and skill from the Managing Director of Modelflight, Mike O’Reilly who was the first of two lucky pilots with this ultra-advanced helicopter. It has since been released for sale and can be seen on the shelves on the Goodwood Road shop. The larger of the helis, such as the Blade 400, which is the largest permitted heli at ETSA Park, spent most of their time on Court 2, and with their training frames attached they proved that patience and practice is producing some very steady hovering.

Andy Hollitt again demonstrated indoor pylon competition with such skill, as one expects to see from Andy, that I am sure a number of others had their interests stirred a little and probably hoped that they had a foam constructed pylon racing aircraft so that they, too, could have joined Andy. Keep it up Andy, I feel sure the interest will grow which is good as it does not take up a lot of space.

When Brenton Wildman arrived, I thought that, just maybe, I was in Steptoe’s shop. Please let me elucidate for it was not scrap but boxes of models. Some unused and others with very little use but, as Brenton is moving house he finds the necessity to rid himself of a number of models that are surplus to his very active flying life style. So he brought his garage sale to ETSA Park. As Brenton is providing the pix for this article, due to a temporary malfunction with my camera/computer equipment, and as I have no idea which shots he is using, my story may appear a little lost without mentioning the accompanying shots. My thanks to Brenton for the backing. Here is a pic of the E-Flite Blade Tandem Rescue Heli, test flown by Brenton before its arrival on Aussie shores early September. "The new Eflite Blade Tandem Rescue was flown early in the night, very stable and controllable".

A couple of our regular fliers brought small racing cars, both 4 and 2-wheel drive models and if you would like to join them on future nights, do not hesitate to toss a car or two in your boot. J.J. joined the father Mike and the son Ryan Holmes in some playful combat with their very manoeuvrable (well that’s how Mr Oxford spells it – I would have liked to have added another (e)) foam models and the main thing that this exemplified was the enormous improvement in Ryan’s flying. We have watched this 14-year-old’s flying from his beginning and being nurtured by a doting father, together with an obedient son has produced an outstanding degree of skill, expecially in one so young. I just wish that I had his computer and electronic skills – I would have some photos to show you dear friends. Mike H, we have not had a family display yet so when can we expect to see Mary, the mother, join the father and son? Say that would be fantastic - like –“the family who flies together, stays together!” Okay, so you’re doing very nicely thank you, without that rubbish. If we can look far enough back into history, we would remember Pat Crowe and his two sons all flying together, and I’ll get sacked if I don’t mention them, but we also have seen the late Leo O’Reilly and his two sons flying together. But, in either case there was no mum’s appearance. Come on Mary – make it a first. Come to think of it, those two afore-mentioned families were all members of the Southern Soaring League so there must have been strong family interest in the times gone by. Pity they cannot introduce some new flying families.

Ian Smedman continues to improve with each appearance. I wonder if his new branch of hobbying has caused his car-racing brilliance to suffer?? Hope not. After all, one is day-time and t’other in the night so they should not adversely affect each other.

The Whiteline 3-1/2 metre long R/C Road Train has been invited to put in an appearance at the Angaston Show in February and, as one of the show organizers is coming to ETSA Park to check it out for required space etc. it will again be on show at our next Indoor Flying Event at the Netball Stadium on Thursday September 16th between the hours of 8.30 and 10.30 p.m. Why not come along and see if The Phoenix can roll it over as he did without being requested to do so by Channel 7. It wont cost a cent to come and watch that and other spectacles through the night. It is only if you toss a model in the boot, and fly it, that it will cost you $10 for the night’s entertainment.

Indoor Flying tonight at ETSA Park

I's that time of the month again...Indoor flying at ETSA Park! Come along from 830pm to fly your indoor models, or simply to check out the latest products being showcased by modelflight and friends! Only $10 to fly but spectators can come along for FREE!

More the merrier and we look forward to catching up with you this evening!

Don't forget the BBQ & Sidewalk Sale at Modelflight Goodwood, Adelaide on the 28th August! Come grab a bargain!

“Now to fly the beautiful beast" by Alan Marks

“Now to fly the beautiful beast" by Alan Marks

In the past, I must say that I have not put a lot of credence in the words that often garnish the colourful boxes in which our models arrive from their makers, but it was such a pleasant surprise when I discovered that the Blade 120SR did exactly that. Oh it did require just a tad of right trim to make it even simpler on take off but once a foot or so (what do you want? A half metre uh?) Okay, that was the altitude at which I did most of my early flights with this helicopter, and once it was at that height from the ground, it started to meeeow in true pussycat style.

I’m going to introduce a little bit of brain in this article because I have come to the sudden realization that “SR” may stand for “Single Rotor” and the baby of this breed being an “MSR” could quite well represent a “Micro Single Rotor.” Well! You must admit that it sounds fairly impressive! I am trying to sound impressive to help you realize that this new helicopter from the distributors, Horizon, IS a single rotor design.

This is the next step up from one of those double, contra-rotating rotor helicopters that have been darting in and out of the rafters of our indoor flying venues for over a year now and it is not a huge upwards move to the “SR” as it requires just a wee bit more concentration to initially raise it from the floor.

Okay – here is what you do. You have just arrived home after expending in the vicinity of $260 and on opening the box, you see it all there. Everything is fitted within the most attractive fuselage, from the tip, out along the carbon-fibre tail boom to the compact and delightful-looking tail motor and rotor. The miniaturized 5-in-1 control unit which combines the 2.4GHz DSM2 receiver, the Electronic Speed Controllers, the mixer, gyro and servos, plus the motor, all onto a single circuit board go together in keeping the flying weight down to an absolute minimum. Whilst one is able to advance to a more aggressive control to give faster flying etc., I felt that that was for Matty, Brad, Brent and Toddles more skilful fingers. I was quite contented to fly it in the more softer mode – leaving all that University grade flying for the experts.

It was still quite windy outside so I contented myself by remaining within the boundaries, about 15 by 5 metres of safe flying space of my rear patio. I did find that patience was the virtuous way to go and it was nearly ten minutes before I actually got the beasty off the deck. Little by little I progressed, mainly forwards rather than upwards, until I realized that it was much better to get it clear of the floor and that, as soon as I gave sufficient throttle to raise and give it some altitude, albeit a quarter of a metre maybe, it was very rewarding. The height is actually adjusted by the amount of throttle one feeds in but, for the first half hour or so, be quite content with just having it clear of the floor and the surprising result is that you are finding one of the easiest helies to put into a hover that you have ever had the pleasure of flying.

If you do not wish to add yet another transmitter to your, no doubt, vast collection of those, which seems to be “the way to go” these days, then toddle along to our Goodwood Road shop, just South of the tram crossing, and talk a “Bind-n-Fly” deal with Store Manager, Brad, or any one of his most helpful staff members. Keep in mind, if your friendly Phoenix can hover in half an hour, then I’m sure that you will have no problems in getting your money’s worth of total enjoyment and value from your small investment. There is just a word of warning though – the model is now available in the shop but I do expect the first shipment to sell very rapidly. If you need more proof of this being the way to go with your model flying, then come along to ETSA Park Netball Stadium on the third Thursday night of any month and see this exciting model helicopter in action in the hands of some of our staffer experts.

The Phoenix aka Alan Marks

New Arrivals!

Modelflight are expecting the imminent arrival of the Parkzone F4F Wildcat, Blade 120 SR heli's, E-Flite Ultra Micro 4-Site, Parkzone Ultra-Micro P-51 planes and the JR 11X are arriving early THIS WEEK!!

Pre-order now to reserve your stock!!

ETSA Park on a Cold July Night

The afore-mentioned unpredictable crowd of my Indoor friends at the ETSA Park Netball Stadium came out in quite pleasing numbers for our indoor flying. One of the highlights was the introduction of a prototype for a new Blade helicopter that will hit our shores in early August. More on that model will appear at a later date.

My first picture is of a very proud father in that of one of our ex-flyers, Daly May. Lots of exes for Daly. An ex staff member of ModelFlight – an ex very keen and talented model flyer and builder and an ex regular indoor participant. As the photo shows, he has changed from a model builder to a baby builder, and what a darling little bud of May she is too. Daly makes occasional visits to the stadium and it was pleasing to see he and his wife on this coldish night.

Andy Hollitt can always be relied upon for something new and exciting emanating from his workshop and tonight was no exception. He showed the Phoenix his latest foamie and called it a Pylon Racer?? This was later demonstrated when he lined up two foam pylons down one end (Court 2) and proceeded to entertain he and others with his foam pylon racing. Well done Andy – I wonder if your Melbourne mates do that?

Brenton Wildman is seen in the next picture with his lovely, and talented, (rarely do the two go together – ouch!) daughter, Alanah. Now there may even be another ‘a’ in her name – if so I apologise. Alanah entertained herself by not being more than a metre away from dad throughout the night, which was all lovey-dovey until one later realized that she was totally involved in her dad’s flying. Before the night was over, Alanah was solo-ing a Cub with enormous bundles of dexterity. Her progress excited and interested me so much that I could not resist another picture, on her own, in a happy pose.

During the evening we had 17 paying customers which means that the SSL (Southern Soaring League) would benefit, yet again, from the surplus after rent paying. A handy little income for the club that, it is only on rare occasions any of their members partake in the indoor movement.

Even though the aerobatic heli group are no longer permitted to fly at indoor, we are welcoming a few older members back, who say they are all in favour of that move and that they can concentrate on their models much more intensely. I hope that it means the return of any others who were of a similar mind. There is a wonderful air of contentment and comradeship among the indoor movement and, even occasionally the mid-air does occur, there is never any bitterness or arguments present. A wonderful group of people with whom it is a total pleasure to fly, or even to fraternize.

Our leader, and benefactor, Michael O’Reilly’s absence was noted by many on the night and all, who were aware of Mike’s second knee reconstruction operation, joined me in wishing him a full and rapid recovery. Mike is always a willing helper to any who may require assistance or advice and his return will be welcomed by all. The latest report on his progress is that he is, on occasions, already dragging the heavily bandaged leg up the stairs to his office at OMP and will very shortly be in attendance for visitors. Good luck Michael. The 19th August is our next appointment when we will once again welcome, not only competitors, who spend ten dollars on the nights entertainment or, if you just wish to come and watch, IT IS FREE. Don’t forget, watch the model shop shelves for the arrival of the Blade 120SR – a most exciting addition to your model heli fleet.

The Phoenix.

New Blade fronts a welcome at ETSA Park

Your friendly Phoenix was one of many who welcomed a prototype of a new and exciting Helicopter at ETSA PARK last month. Some of the Model Flight Staffers joined Chief New-model Test Pilot, Matthew Waye in demonstrating this exciting machine, of which, so far is the only one of its kind in Adelaide.

With a scheduled arrival (on the counter) of the Blade 120SR, of early August it could well be a larger success story than the well known Venom Night Ranger which, as you recall, monopolised the indoor flying scene for quite some time. It is a single rotor, fixed pitch, 100% factory assembled helicopter that, once you arrive at your flying site, will quickly have you in the air.

One of Modelflight’s highly technical staff members, Brenton Wildman arrived with “The Box” and quickly snuck in a first flight before Todd pressured him to ‘hand it over.”

The first picture shows the pleasure on Todd’s face as he displayed the “120.” It is a delightful looking model, much larger and more powerful than its little brother, the Blade mSR. The battery pack is a little over twice the size of the MSR pack and, at 500mAH, almost three times the capacity.

One can appreciate its most attractive lines as Todd hovers it just above the highly polished floor of the ETSA Park Netball Stadium, the venue for its debut flight.

The head, shown here, is the “Smarty Pants” of this helicopter that produces such a docile, easy-to-fly performance and one, that I am sure, is going to make it a top seller. It is a totally complete, ready-to-fly model, presenting itself with a very neat charger than can be operated from batteries or, in the instant shown, from the AC Mains Power. Follow the Phoenix Indoor stories that will keep you up to date on the expected popularity of this magnificent machine which will appear on the Goodwood Road shelves in two configurations – coming in either the very popular “Bind-n-Fly” kit, or complete with transmitter etc. making it literally flyable straight from the box. Just charge and fly.

At less than $260.00, I could give you 260 reasons why you should.

Indoor Flying with Modelflight

Indoor flying is on on Thursday 15th July at ETSA Park in Adelaide, from 2030-2230!

All pilots are welcome with any model plane or helicopter up to 450 size, only $10 to fly and spectators get in free!

Come along and you may get a sneak peak of the brand new Blade 120 SR heli in action! (not available until early August!)

New Release Information

Modelflight is excited to announce three fantastic new product launched in the US today!!

They say #1 by design, and boy do they mean it! Blade will launch a brand new electric heli today in the US....The Blade 120 SR! This sub-micro sized electric heli comes in a BNF and RTF version with prices starting at $219.00!

The Blade 120 SR is a fixed-pitch heli that will give you the confidence to master the basics of single-rotor flight. Its unique rotor head was specifically designed to provide the inherent stability of a co-axial helicopter, but provide the agile control of a single rotor helicopter. Modeled after the popular ultra micro-sized Blade mSR, the sub micro-sized 120 SR is larger, faster, and more powerful -- which makes outdoor flight a reality.

Introducing Spektrum’s first aircraft radio system with integrated telemetry; the DX8. Based on the popular DX6i platform, the new DX8 increases model memory to 30-models (heli or airplane) and its loaded with a number of valuable features not found in any other 8-channel in its class.

The DX8 will incorporate some groundbreaking features that have never before been seen in competitive radio systems. The radio will feature a unique telemetry warning screen with selectable tone or vibration alerts to keep the pilot well informed during flight. The top switch locations have been changed to improve ergonomics and the popular roller/selector is conveniently placed on the right side of the radio for easy thumb use for software navigation.

Overall, this is a giant leap forward for aircraft radios and marks the beginning of a new level of safety, convenience and enjoyment for RC enthusiasts. Telemetry provides modelers with a new sense of security via real-time information from their aircraft.

Introducing the F4F Wildcat BNF Park Flyer! From Pearl Harbor through 1942 the F4F Wildcat was the only U.S. fighter in the Pacific theater capable of thwarting the advances of Japan’s naval air forces. ParkZone brings the legendary Wildcat to life with this great flying Bind-N-Fly park flyer modeled after a plane flown by Lieutenant Commander Edward “Butch” O’Hare; the U.S. Navy’s first flying ace.

Scale touches include a realistic paint scheme, simulated engine cylinders and cowl flaps, molded wheels tucked into the fuselage and more. Its flight performance is equally impressive thanks to the full 4-channel control and ample power provided by its 480 brushless motor and the included 3S 1300mAh Li-Po battery. Best of all, you can have it flying in the time it takes you to charge the included battery pack and bind its Spektrum AR500 receiver to your full-range DSM2 aircraft system (sold separately).