| | 
The North eastern area would like to thank Cramlington and District Model Flying Club for the use of thier excellent flying site. Which enabled us to run the Great North Fly-in, incorporating the Geordie Nats. The Event was a great success and the GNF Report will appear here soon. Many Thanks
The Great North Fly-in 2008
RC fixed wing flight line
Sunday 31st August came round and after one of the wettest summers ever, we were pleasantly surprised by a warm but overcast day. This year we changed the name from The Geordie Nats, to emphasise the fun element of the event, which seemed to suffer from a lack of enthusiasm from pilots over previous years. Coupled with a change of venue from Albemarle barracks to the East Cramlington Nature Reserve, the home of Cramlington and District Model Flying club, to whom the North Eastern Area are extremely grateful, for their kind offer of the use of their fantastic flying site to host the event.
This year we had a record number of pilots flying on the R/C fixed wing line, 27 in total, as well as control line combat (report attached), control line carrier deck, which was not used due to lack of interest and control line stunt who turned up on chance and had a fantastic day. We also had a large helicopter contingent, who seemed to be having a whale of a time (report attached).
Flying started shortly after 10am and continued till around 4pm, when the weather finally closed in and we had to call it a day. All the pilots seemed to be having a great time. Being in TX control you get to hear all the grumbles, which believe it or not they was none. The RC flight line ran extremely well the rest of the day with no hitches and all the pilots seemed to be having a fantastic time flying of the peg through TX control, thanks to Annette for running TX control, we received several complimentary comments on its efficient running. The spectators where treated to an excellent flying display with scale, sport, electric and IC as well as jet models cracking the sky.
1. Best Jet George Evens Teesside MFC.
2. Best scale Terry Bailey FSMAE Novacastrian.
3. Best Electric Alan Gorham Cramlington DMFC.
4. Best flight of the day Tony Robinson Chester le Street MFC.
5. Best non scale Alan Davison Cramlington DMFC.
6. The Brian Park Memorial Trophy went to the Glider competition winner Ken Croft Teesside MFC.
7. The Lutman Trophy awarded to D Riley Novacastrian in Control line combat.
The change in Venue attracted quite a few of the local people into the event, some had not seen any model flying previously and were really impressed by the flying displays and being able to get up close to the models pitted near the public barrier, giving them the opportunity to talk to the pilots to enquire about the models and flying. Flying started at 10.00 prompt and continued all day, apart from a brief break between 12.00 and 12.30 when the glider comp took place, till about 4.00 when the heavens opened. The glider comp had 5 entries as follows.
· A Gorham, Cramlington DMFC placed 5th time was 2.30 mins.
· G Purvis, Blyth MFC placed 4th time was 5.10 mins.
· M Purvis, Blyth MFC placed 3rd time was6.59 mins.
· A Oliver, Peterlee MFC places 2nd time was 7.21 mins.
· K Croft, Teesside MFC placed 1st time was 7.41 mins.
The Glider comp was basically 30 second of power then the longest glide with no power being used at all, organised by Mr A Oliver and ran by Mr Terry Bailey FSMAE. Thanks to all who took part, it was an interesting aspect of areomodelling to watch.
Local dignatories, the Mayor of Blyth Valley, Councillor Gordon Knox accompanied by his wife Heide and the Chairman of Northumberland County Council, Ian Tompkins and his wife, where shown around for about 3 hours by Allan Weighell FSMAE, our Area Chairman, who presented them each with a copy of Britain’s Aviation Heritage as a reminder of their visit. Not that I think they will forget, as the highlight of the Day, sorry boys, was at 13.40 when we had 3 fly over’s by The Battle of Britain Memorial flight Dakota, The local people and our VIP guests couldn’t believe how well the event was organised and ran, an excellent PR exercise showing model flying in a most positive light.
The North Eastern Area and the flight line marshals, Steve Wilson & Ewan Galloway, and I would like to thank all the pilots and spectators for their enthusiasm and support, which we hope you will extend to us in the years to come.
Tom Jones North Eastern Area PRO
Great North Fly-in
Cramlington 31st August
Helicopter flight line
On arrival at the site at 08.30 it was clear that the designated area for helicopter flying was not suitable due to a) the size b) the contours and c) the excessive length of the grass. However after a brief consultation with the Cramlington MFC officials an alternative site was soon found and the flight line set up.
Turn-out was good with the biggest contingent coming from Boldon CA MFC who brought a large selection of beautifully built scale helicopters. By late morning there were about 15 pilots on the flight line, with over 20 models with scale, sport and 3D flying taking place in harmony in the pleasant calm weather under a hazy sun.
A and B certification examinations were offered to any flyers requiring them, and 3 pilots successfully completed the A certificate schedule examined by Jim Edwards.
More pilots arrived in the afternoon and flying continued until 3.30pm when heavy rain intervened.
Edd Hunter Heli CD
Great North Fly-in Combat 2008
Entries for the Great North Fly-in Combat event were low again this year. No entries from the usual Scottish contingent, and for the first year in many, no foreign visitors. This resulted in just five entries all of which are members of the Novocastrian’s club. With such a low entry it was decided to run the competition on a two life basis, which basically means you fly until you have lost twice in the competition, and also using the Geordie style handicap system for the models. Also up for grabs this year was the fantastic Lutman cup, so everyone was up for it and trying there best to win. Even the die hard F2D fliers participating in the competition were seen flying vintage models so as not to be at a disadvantage in the handicap system. Flying started just after eleven and finished just in time before the rain arrived. There was some good flying to be seen during the comp especially from young Jamie Griffin (last years champ). At the end of the comp two flyers were left Jamie Griffin, trying to make it two wins in a row, and Dave Riley desperate to get his name on that fantastic Lutman Cup. By the end of the final the more experienced flyer Dave had won by three cuts to one.
Results were as follows
1st Dave Riley
2nd Jamie Griffin
3rd Ben Johnson
I would like to thank the Cramlington club for allowing us take over there field for the day and for providing excellent facilities for all to use.
If anyone would like to fly in this fun and relaxed combat event, then look out for the next years Great North Fly-in and pencil it in you diary, you are guaranteed to have fun.
Dave Riley combat control line CD
Free Flight
1. Tony Aydon
2. Alan Brown
3. Lionel Mayes
Sorry no report submitted.
Tom Jones North Eastern Area PRO
Click here to review previous year’s event
| |
