The Great Orme PSSA Fly-In – 20th & 21st April 2013

The 2013 PSSA season gets off to a flying start with a host of new models on show!

Sue Lee reports from the Llandudno Fly for Fun – All photos by the author.

As Phil Cooke is away on maternity leave, he has passed on the reporting reins to me, a first I think for a woman to be in the control tower on the Great Orme!

The first meet of the year for PSS on the Great Orme was greeted with a good weather forecast for the Saturday; the Sunday however was in the balance! On early arrival at the car park there were already a few cars parked up, a couple of aircraft in the cloudy but clearing blue sky, the wispy breeze just starting to build.  We made camp at the car park on the tank-track slope (SW) which is the favourite with the pilots.  The breeze started to pick up from the light start of just 5-10mph, by lunch the breeze had escalated to a healthy 20mph and towards the end of the day built to a solid 30+mph.

The power of the lift delivered by this slope is just fantastic and this smooth air enabled some very creditable close in flying. PSS models are most impressive when flown in this style and they drive through the air with such force. The Great Orme really is the place to be to make the unique aspect of PSS perform to such an exciting level.

Simon, as usual had a car full of toys, as did many others who were not too sure which conditions to arm themselves for, when all aircraft were rigged, there were 50 models in the pit area!  Not all the toys were pure PSS, some electric and a few sailplanes too.

Andy Ellison and son, Rob and Josh Stenhouse joined the group with their moulded machines, graciously opting to fly up on the hill out of harm’s way, thus keeping everyone happy.  All pilots coming together in the pit area for a catch-up and dare I say gossip!, who’s built what, flown where, and wishing to buy what for the next acquisition.

The atmosphere of the group is very friendly and helpful, someone is always on hand to launch or rescue if need be.  John Jackson ‘JJ’, commented on how positive and

welcoming the group is, I certainly found this to be so when I first started to support Simon at these events and always feel at ease in a mainly male environment, although I think they enjoy my baking skills as I often bring along some homemade offerings.

Tom Naylor and Dave Lowe both had maiden flights with their new Hawk’s (top right), from the Andy Conway plan, both flights were successful and flown with skill.   Tim Mackey purchased a ready to fly EDF Hawk from Hobby King, the colour scheme very camera friendly as you can see. (bottom right)

Simon flew his B-52, in his ‘master of the sky’ fashion, thrilling all.  Pilots seem to land their planes and sit back and watch the aircraft perform a spectacular ballet in the Llandudno sky.  Simon readily hands over the transmitter to pilots wishing to have a fly but this usually ends in them not wanting to give it back or going home wanting plans to build one!

Martin Middleton flew his new Victor bomber (below left) after a striking new livery had been lavishly applied and this model flew magnificently until a bad landing curtailed its further planned sorties.

A new friend to the PSS scene is Roger Turner; he came with a small Harrier and Tornado both of which were crafted from balsa and foam.  The Harrier looked very real, performing turns and landing just as the full size one does.  Roger has already embarked on his next project fuelled with enthusiasm from the Orme successes; a new Biz jet will soon be ready for its maiden flight.

Paul Jubb enjoyed some great flying with his ancient Hawk.  Steve Howarth and Ron Cooper with their ‘Old Faithfull’s’, a vintage Aermacchi MB-339 and Corsair.  ‘Rocket’ Ron impressed us all with some cool flying with his DH-108 flying wing.  Nigel Moule had a busy day too

flying his trusty T-33; JJ AKA John Jackson flew Simon’s T-33 which was his first experience of piloting a PSS model.  He really enjoyed his experience and intends to join in with some of his own models next season.

The whole weekend was enjoyed by all, laughter and banter could be heard all over the slope….along with some ‘ooo’s’ and ‘ahhh’s’.  This truly is a team event, each pilot bringing something to the mix, whether you are a veteran or a newbie, you will be welcomed.

Sadly, Sunday did not really happen – although the wind was right the low cloud and drizzle was a dampener.  A few of us hung around to wait out the rain but it did not clear so we slipped away with the sound of wind screen wipers drumming in our ears.  Tim Mackay had a great session later in the afternoon when ideal conditions re-materialised!  Just goes to show how you can never say never when the magic of the Great Orme is in the equation.

Oh, one final thing to say:

Boys – when it’s suggested to put some sun cream on, please do, as you all moaned that you had burnt faces!!!!!