The Great Orme PSSA Fly-In – 1st / 2nd June 2013

Our second meet of the year on the Big Rock!

A round up of events by Dave Gilder – all photos as credited.

It had become a tradition of PSSA events that a number of modellers always seem to end up meeting somewhere along the A55 and arriving atop the Gt. Orme together…  Well not on this occasion!

After an early start I arrived in the car park to find a small number of regular attendees having a natter and praying to the wind gods.  The wind was just as forecast…swinging from left to right and back again about the ‘not so favoured’ North Westerly slope.

A quick rig of my Phoenix 2000 electric assist glider found that the lift, although not strong, was suitable to fly and a few models soon joined in scratching along the ridge gaining precious lift when it was found.  Before long, a number of other models were rigged and ready at the top of the slope waiting for the wind to settle on its direction and strength a little.

We were soon joined by prolific PSS builders and pilots Matt Jones and Simon Cocker, accompanied by our photographic specialist, Sue Lee.  After the standard greetings and obligatory banter a model emerged from

the Aladdin’s cave that is Simon’s car – the Myasishchev M-4 ‘Bison’. 

Originally designed and built by Simon in the late 1980’s this (assumed lost) model recently came up on the RCM&E Modelflying forum – being offered free to a good home.  The PSSAs webmaster, Phil Cooke recognised the model immediately and put the then owner in touch with Simon.  All this was just a few days prior to the meet!  Simon had given the model a health check, and apart from a few minor new parts to modernise (a new Rx I believe!), it was good to go.

A launch was soon called and with its original pilot (ie Simon) at the helm, a solid level launch by Matt Jones saw a return to the skies of this majestic 93″ span Russian bomber. (Top Left) Despite the low lift conditions, the model was soon out-climbing the rest of the airborne models and following a minor trim adjustment, was gliding around hands free.

A number of passes both along and from behind the slope were carried out for the cameras (left – photos by Sue Lee and Matt Jones) and the model looked right at home, just as it always did, slipping back out into the lift and climbing gently away again!  It has to be said…  it’s always nice to see an older model still going strong and flying so well.

At 14:15 the wind decided to settle firm on NW with a slight increase of speed to between 16-18 knots.  This gave us a better lift conditions although this still required models to be flown a considerable distance away from the launch point, out over the sea, to get to the lift zone!  Not for the faint hearted…Watching your model flying away from you, descending slowly, knowing that if you can’t find the lift, your model could be lost!!!

It was at this point, following considerable ribbing from a certain Matt Jones, I finally agreed to maiden my new model, an Aero L-39 (right) from the Cyril Carr plans.  The model spans just 40” and is set up for 2 channel aileron / elevator.  The model was completed in the display colours for Team ‘Russ’, a Russian aerobatic display team between 1998 to late 2011.  The model was pre-flight checked which left nothing to do to delay the inevitable!

The model was given a solid launch and with 2 clicks of right trim, was tracking straight and true out into the distance in search of the lift zone.  Eventually, the model reached the lift and a gentle turn to the right was commenced to track along the slope.  The model soon gained some height and a reverse of direction was initiated to come back along to the left… Disaster!!

The models diminutive size coupled with the distance out from the slope gave me severe orientation issues and following some tightening of muscles, executed a perfect outside loop with a full roll for good measure before orientation was regained!

The decision was made swiftly to return the model back and carry out a landing but this also was not going to happen!!  The model was flying towards the slope and just a few feet above the top of the slope… This was going to have to be a downwind landing up the slope!!

The model made it to the top (just) and touched down, sliding into a badly positioned lump of hard stuff with one wingtip tank!  It was testament to the design that the only damage sustained was snapped wing bolts, snapped wing locator pegs, a loose aileron servo and a dent in the tip tank!!  Needless to say it could have been a lot worse!!  Fixable with just 30 mins work in the workshop when home!

Other models of note flown during the day included Simon Cockers Scale ASK-21 Glider (not a PSS model but made quite an impression!),  Matt Jones’ Andy Conway BAe Hawk with its true scale wing, Dave Lowe’s Boeing B-52 (bought recently from Simon Cocker), Steve Howarth’s Lockheed U-2 Spy plane and Ron Coopers own designed DH108 Swallow.

Finally, at around 1745, having enjoyed the day’s sunshine and flying it was decided to call it a day…. That was until when we arrived back at the cars with the models the wind gods decided to have their best laugh of the day and back the wind onto the favoured SW slope, coupled with a rise in speed up to a solid and constant 25mph!

A hardy bunch of pilots quickly changed plans and almost ran back to the slope with models in arms.  A mass launch was seen resulting in 7 or 8 models in the air together making the most of the impressive lift conditions the Orme is renowned for producing.

Models in the air at this point included 3 Spitfires, a BAe Hawk, an F-18 Hornet (flown by Zaid Al-Obaidi), my own F-16 (pocket rocket) and Simon Cockers ever impressive Canberra (built by Matt Jones from an own design) (left – Dave Gilder photo)

The abundant lift gave everyone a boost having spent the day more or less scratching around to now be in the position of having more lift than you can waggle your wings at!!

The general flying soon gave way however to the inevitable group flypasts, with the regular shout of “On the Aerials” and “Turning In” to be heard.

Flying continued until 1830 when it was decided that not only was the wind chill causing fingers to lose all feeling, but if we didn’t land soon the award winning fish and chips restaurant in Llandudno Junction we planned to have our post flying meal at, would be closed!!  And as we all know, that really would be a disaster!!

The next day arrived and the pilots returned to the Orme to be met with glorious sunshine again but a complete lack of wind (0 Knots)!  It seems the wind gods had got the final laugh at our expense!

Not to be outdone, those with electric assisted models took to the air and enjoyed the day hunting for thermals, trying to gain every minute of air time possible.  In the early afternoon, we were treated to a flying display by Zaid with his Trex 450 Fly Barless electric helicopter.  It still amazes me what these heli’s can do in the right hands!  Thanks Zaid!

By mid-afternoon, the wind picked up to the gentlest of breezes onto the NW slope.  Tim McKay launched his very light foam glider (I can’t recall what it was) and spent some time using the ultra-light lift to maintain height.  Clearly it wasn’t enough for anything else and I made the decision to head for home.

So in conclusion, a great day on the Saturday with good flying followed by great sunbathing Sunday!

Our next event is the weekend of 10^th/11^th August for our annual Lleyn Peninsula Fly in.

Meeting both days at the Londis car park in Llanbedrog at 10a.m.  (Late arrivals can find slope details on the back of the Telephone Box) – I hope to see you there!