The Great Orme PSSA Fly-In – April 6th & 7th 2019
As always at the start of any new season, there was a degree of excitement within our ranks ahead of this, our first planned event of 2019, even though the Easterly dominated forecast had put a few folk off travelling.
I arrived at 9am to find the Orme bathed in sunshine and having parked at the Ski Slope I took the walk up to the edge to confirm the wind was blowing square onto the East face at a fairly healthy 15mph. Considering my height above the town below, this read in accordance with the XC-Weather forecast we’d been monitoring throughout the week, so I headed back down to my car to rig a couple of the lighter PSS models with a high level of confidence for the day ahead. As I put my models together, other members began to arrive in quick succession, and soon after some initial greetings were shared we walked back up top to get the event underway.
Local flyers Steve Howarth and ‘Rocket’ Ron Cooper were some of the first to fly and remind us how it’s done after the long winter break – for some this would be their first outing since our October event last season! The impressive Easterly slope was producing more than enough lift for the Ripmax Spitfire and Me-109 duo they were flying and as more members arrived, the skies were soon busy with models utilising the full extent of the slope left and right of the launch point. Chris Barlow flew his well proven Avro Vulcan built from the Ian Benson plans and he was joined by Tim Mackey flying the same type from the Mark Kettle EPP kit. It was great to see both Mark and Helen back at one of our events after a years absence, although Mark wasn’t flying this weekend he DID capture a huge amount of video footage over the 2 days – we look forward to seeing the edited results!
There were a couple of lovely PBY Catalina’s in action – one flown by Chris Barlow – sadly I failed to capture the name of the pilot flying the RAF example – but both looked superb flying out over the coast! I was delighted to see Steve Howard back and flying with us at a PSSA event, he’d brought with him a small squadron of models including a lovely T-6 Texan built from the now vintage GWS kit. Steve’s Mustang and Focke-Wulf were models originally designed and built by the late Alan Hulme – restored and well maintained by Steve – 
and it was lovely to see these models back out on the slope. Steve McLaren and I both flew our Jet Provosts at length which gave Steve sufficient confidence in the conditions to fly his superb Hawker Hurricane, built for last season’s Mass Build event – and just one of a number of Hurricanes seen at this event. Steve’s model is a little lighter than most and was ably flown on the Saturday in the relatively light conditions – whilst others remained grounded.
By lunchtime on the Saturday we had amassed 18 or so flyers and although the wind had dropped a little to 10-12mph there was still ample lift for the lighter PSS models. Tom Cooke enjoyed a couple of flights with his Avro Vulcan and Dave Gilder flew his little Spitfire converted to PSS from the Cambrian Funfighter range. Jez Billington had joined us and brought with him 2 models from the Island Models range – the beautifully finished Fouga Magister and Aermacchi MB-339. Sadly, neither model was flown with the conditions deemed not quite strong enough for confidence on this unforgiving slope.
Model of the day for me was Peter Garsden’s BAC Canberra – recently built from the Andy Blackburn plans. This model excelled in the lighter lift, even out-performing the capable little Jet Provosts (interestingly from the same design stable) and Pete flew the Canberra in a lovely scale like manner – it’s Royal Aircraft Establishment ‘Raspberry Ripple’ scheme working well for the camera in the terrific light we were enjoying throughout the afternoon session. This was one of two Canberras on site, the other flown by Neville Weaver. Both flew very well – and inspired all who were watching – no doubt Sarik’s woodpack sales will benefit accordingly over the coming weeks!
Gordon Studley and Martin Gay were flying numerous models throughout the day including a small scale Me-109 built from the Tony Nijhuis fun-fighter plan – a nippy little machine with its flat sheet profiled wing – but a superb, nimble flyer ideally suited for the conditions. I was offered a quick go on the sticks – it was amazing how well the solid balsa wing was working on the slope! Martin and Gordon had also brought with them their prototype NA F-86 Sabre model which, once flight proven will be offered as our next Mass Build subject. We were able to spend some time looking over the design, their well presented drawings and the proposed laser woodpack. The model was effectively complete bar a little further work needed on the all-moving tailplane and canopy, so not flown this weekend, but having it on site enabled our members to see the model for the first time which I think has certainly whet the appetite for our next group project. We all eagerly await the flight test reports!
We flew on enjoying the relatively mild slope conditions until ~5:30pm when folk started to retire – our evening plans would see us meet up in town for a well earned meal and a few craft beers at the end of day 1.
Sunday dawned with overcast skies but with improved windspeeds of 15-20mph. 
We got underway from the same Easterly site high above the pier just before 10am, and soon after we were settled the sun started to burn through the layer of cloud leaving us with some much appreciated sunny spells – it was cold at times in the Easterly wind! The improved lift meant that some of the heavier models (which had been left in cars on the Saturday) got rigged and aired on the slope with a realistic chance of getting airborne.
Steve McLaren started his day with another lengthy flight with the Hurricane. Soon after he flew his little Folland Gnat which looked stunning in its silver and day-glo orange RAF training scheme. Alan Gorham had joined us unveiling his brand new Hawker Hurricane, built from the Mass Build plans and completed with a full depth cockpit and 3D printed cannons. All of Alan’s models are superbly finished, his attention to detail is first class and his new Hurricane was no exception! I look forward to seeing this one flown soon! Billy Griffiths flew his NA Mustang to good effect and Tim Mackey was active throughout the morning session flying his Vulcan and Vampire. Neville Weaver flew his colourful Reno Mustang and Peter Garsden impressed us all once again with another sortie with his BAC Canberra.
At lunch we all gathered with our models for the traditional group photo call but the flying wasn’t halted for very long – Steve McLaren taking advantage of clear skies to put on a superb flight demo with his Panavia Tornado GR1, complete with weapons stores and glowing afterburners!
We’ve seen Steve fly this model from numerous slopes and in various conditions over the past few seasons, but for me this particular flight seemed to show the Tornado off at its very best with lots of head height runs up and down the Easterly slope face.
Harry Twist had rigged his 72” span Avro Lancaster, converted to PSS from the Priory Models kit – which flew superbly. I couldn’t help myself and joined him for some cautious formation flypasts with my own Hurricane. We both enjoyed quite a lengthy flight but sadly both models were damaged – Harry suffering radio loss which saw the Lancaster come down just below the slope edge, and my Hurricane succumbing to the infamous rotor at the back of the East slope on landing, my model coming to rest heavily on some rocks very near to the steps at the top of the ski slope path.
The weather seemed to improve all day and by mid afternoon we were flying in glorious blue sky conditions with the sun on our backs – but alas as Sunday evening loomed folk began to pack up and depart – many with long journeys ahead of them. The last of us flew on until ~5pm when we pulled stumps and brought the weekend Fly-In to a close. It had been a most enjoyable weekend with lots of good flying over the two days – a great way to kick-start the season.
Many thanks to all who travelled and took part in our season opener – photos from the event can be viewed HERE and HERE.
Our next planned event sees us down in South Wales at The Bwlch to fly with the SWSA 11th/12th May – I will see you there!