Indoor at ETSA Park – September 29th.

This was a special night, for we of the Indoor Flying Movement became an integral part of the famous Bay to Birdwood Motor Rally. With over 1800 Entries it has become the largest event of its type in the world and, for the first time in its history, we were one of their subsidiary events, known as “Cruising Classics.” We wanted this to be a night to remember and with the main highlight of our programme being Hamish Scott and his Blade 450 helicopter with a fascinating programme of full-on aerobatics, it was just that for nearly 90 people who had not witnessed this type of flying, either indoor or outside, before. Hamish wowed them in the aisles.  To watch Hamish in action you can view the video here:

Special homage and appreciation was paid to the O’Reilly family for their dedication to indoor flying, beginning many years ago with rubber-powered models to ultra modern fixed-wing and helicopters of composite materials and the infamous 2 Ghz frequency of today.

My first picture shows a family group engrossed in every movement of the two micro helicopters that were being put through their paces so expertly by both Hamish Scott and Matthew Waye – they tried hard not to miss a single manoeuvre and, with the manner in which these two pilots were flying, that was nigh impossible. The concentration by both Hamish and Matty is depicted in my next picture.


When the Whiteline 3-1/2 metre long Road Train’s 48 wheels had come to a stop, and its one thousand dollar surreal sound system had rested, Hamish demonstrated his superb control of the Blade 450 by making a delightful landing on the roof of the road train’s refrigerator trailer. An act that met with much applause from the most grateful audience, both young and old.

By this time in the evening, the younger set were as excited as though they were awaiting the arrival of Father Christmas on December 25. Through the generosity of Model Flight with the donation of a radio-controlled Mini Cooper as a Door Prize, it was nearly time for the draw. Our good friend, Simon Morris had issued all people with a ticket in this prize on their arrival at the Netball Stadium, later confirming that he had greeted 73 people with a ticket. It was most fitting that the prize should be a Mini Cooper, for the favoured make of car in the large rally this year was, in fact, the Mini Cooper as it was the 50th Anniversary of their release to the World. My final picture is that of the winners, Geoff and Cynthia Chase of Colonel Light Gardens and, although it was disappointing for the keen youngsters who had hoped for a win, Geoff and Cynthia had entered and competed in each of the 11 Special Events, as well as the actual B to B Rally.

The 20-plus fliers who turned up on the night have my sincere thanks for their efforts on the night, for we truly gave the non-flying mob a night to remember. Maybe we can do it again in two years time for the next Classic Bay to Birdwood Motor Rally and its followers.

A huge thank you from – The Phoenix.

Announcing the New Losi 1/14 Mini 8IGHT RC buggy!

When it comes to 1/8-scale off-road buggies, few cars have had the success of the Team Losi Racing™ 8IGHT™ buggy. We've seen the 8IGHT-platform re-imaged as the 1/10-scale TEN-T, TEN-SCTE and 810, and blown up in size for the 1/5-scale 5IVE-T, but there's one scale that the 8IGHT has never been adapted to—the sub-1/10-scale. That is, until now. Losi has taken the 8IGHT-platform and seemingly hit it with a shrink ray to create what could possibly be the best-handling, best-performing mini ever produced—the Losi® Mini-8IGHT.

Combining the exceptional suspension geometry of the 8IGHT with an all-new electric-specific drive train layout that has been optimized for brushless motors means there's a lot of new development and design that has gone into the Mini-8IGHT. The Mini-8IGHT features super-thick, threaded body, aluminum, oil-filled shocks, a slipper clutch-equipped driveline, aluminum front and rear shock towers, a powerful 4500Kv brushless motor and a refined brushless ESC to make this one super performer. You may recognize Keith Whisler as the man behind such vehicles as the XXX-SCB and Mini SCT. He's back again, this time taking on the 1/14-scale Mini-8IGHT. We quizzed Keith on the ins and outs of the Mini-8IGHT, how it handles and how it will perform on-track.

You can also watch this awesome little buggy in action here:

Introducing the NEW E-flite F-4 Phantom DF 32 RC Jet

The E-flite Platinum Series F-4 Phantom 32 DF brings the breathtaking military aviation triumph to life as an impressive electric sport jet that’s got big-dog performance and innovative features that will have you “calling the ball” with confidence, and cruising the blue skies on a regular mission schedule.

When you equip your F-4 Phantom 32 DF RC Jet with the high-performance E-flite Delta-V 32 fan power system, you’ll experience top-level performance without sacrificing sport convenience. So you’ll be out flying like a jet-jock more often and spending less time struggling at the workbench.

Features:

• Bolt-in easy E-flite electric 15–25 retract option
• Functional flaps
• Prepainted fiberglass fuselage
• Bifurcated intake and exhaust engineered for best performance
• Fully-sheeted removable wings with carbon blade spars
• Large front and rear magnetic access hatches
• Authentic looking six-color scale USN Sundowner trim scheme
• Full-flying stabilators with hidden internal linkages
• Wings and stabilizers covered in genuine UltraCote Covering
• Cockpit deck included for optional interior detail

Read more at www.modelflight.com.au and check out this video of a test flight in the US:

Welcome to the 4WD Big Leagues - NEW Losi 5IVE-T 1/5-scale SCT

Bigger. Faster. Stronger. The 1/5-scale Losi® 5IVE-T™ 4WD Off-Road Racing Truck is the closest thing to a full-size vehicle in realism, performance and experience. It features a 4WD drivetrain based on the racing-winning, award winning 8IGHT platfrom, Spektrum™ telemetry receiver, installed sensors, and 1/4-scale servos. And since it's a Bind-N-Drive™ vehicle, you complete it with the DSM® transmitter of your choice. There's really nothing like driving an RC truck as big as this. Come take it for a spin in all its 4WD glory.

Find out more at www.modelflight.com.au and check out this video from our test drive in the US:

A Half-Ounce Powerhouse; The Blade Scout CX Beginner RC Helicopter

"A Half-Ounce Powerhouse"  

Engineered by experts in RC heli performance. The amazing Blade Scout CX RC Helicopter may only weigh a little over half an ounce (17 grams) but it will have you flying circles around other helis like it! State-of-the-art 2.4GHz radio control with advanced Blade helicopter engineering and electronics make it all possible. And it’s so easy to fly, you’ll be able to do it even if you’ve never flown before.

Visit our Website for more information on this exciting little rc helicopter

Its still cold at ETSA Park in August but.... WHAT A CROWD!

When I arrived at ETSA Park for tonight’s indoor flying entertainment, the Duty Manager told me that we would be flying on Court One. This was good news as it became a rehearsal for our “big night” in September. As we are a part of The Bay To Birdwood motoring event’s Cruising Classic Programme we are staging what has been officially billed as “Night Fliers On Parade” and, to fit in with the Birdwood organizers, we had to change our September night to the last Thursday night, the 29th rather than the usual third Thursday. With both of our leading aerobatic helicopter pilots, namely Hamish Scott and Matthew Waye appearing on that night, we are hoping for a bumper harvest of supporting pilots and their models to boost our programme so that we can entertain, what we hope will be, a large gathering of spectators.

To lift the entertainment value even higher, we would also like to see four-wheel-drive vehicles (the slippery floor is not kind to two-wheel force) and the Whiteline Road Train will perform, together with its fascinating electronic sound system. As the Duty Manager, due to work pressure, had forgotten all about us, we were so well behaved of course, we found ourselves with all four courts with full lighting all night and this quite successfully hid the fact that we had one of our two best flying numbers (24 in all) not only actively engaged, but, actively engaged over a large flying area which added to the overall safety. As a result of the extra space, I do not recall a single mid-air all night.

I have included only one picture in this month’s story and that is of Model Flight Staffer, Brenton, with the very latest to come from the Parkzone stable, the delightful looking UM F27Q Stryker 180 – a long, long title for such a baby? At the RRP of $179.99 from Model Flight’s Goodwood Road store it shows the way to flying one of the slickest aircraft in the micro group that have become so popular of late. It was a little disappointing in that, having spent some time in marrying the new model to his Transmitter, he was to discover that he needed more time than was available to set up this little aircraft and with a slight fault in the rudder mechanism, Brenton did not want to just give a part display in which he may have not been in full control or at full speed.

The good news in this portion of my epistle is that we will NOW see the Stryker make its debut when the night fliers are on parade. Don’t miss it. I shall leave it up to the discretion of our Web-Mistress or Master to insert my picture of Brenton just wherever he/she sees fit. In closing this month’s rather brief interlude, please stay with me as I remind you all that for us, it is Thursday as usual – the only exception is that our September flying night will be on the 29th and that all fees remain unchanged. Here’s a wee secret … the motoring people who are going to fill the galleries will be paying $5 – the small fee going to a charity of the Birdwood people’s choice, whereas our usual spectators will visit for free. I wish you all happy and exotic flying.

The Phoenix

Announcing the E-flite Carbon-Z Scimitar RC Plane

The E-flite Carbon-Z Scimitar is true satisfaction for the RC pilot who desires flight performance and adrenaline pounding excitement previously thought impossible from a conventional rc aircraft platform. The fantasy-scale Carbon-Z Scimitar RC Plane, designed by world aerobatic champion Quique Somenzini, bursts open the performance envelope with an evolutionary compound-delta flying wing. At the heart of the advanced Carbon-Z Scimitar is a specially tuned Q-Power system harnessed inside a revolutionary single-axis, vectored-thrust propeller system. In combination with the precision of carbon rod hinged elevons and twin rudders, a refreshing level of maneuverability can be explored after less than an evening’s worth of assembly time.

Features of this great new rc plane are:

• Dual rudder and vectored-thrust control on the yaw axis
• Exceptionally strong and lightweight Carbon-Z structure
• Digital high-speed servos installed
• Single screw access to the electronic equipment
• Effective front and side cooling inlets with interior venting
• High-quality socket-head hardware throughout
• Distinctive color scheme for superior visibility
• Ready to accept optional E-flite electric retracts (EFLG110)
• All components, including the nose and control surfaces, are easily replaceable

You can view more images and information about this exciting new plane HERE