news
Issue 3 of 2016
Newsletter of the South African Model Aircraft Association Published and distributed electronically/digitally. Our Mission: To add value to your flying experience through communication, information, promotion, education, and the support of dialogue
WBRF Flying Extravaganza 2016
Article by David Terblanche. Photos by Geoff Pritchard and Terry Lesser Martin Pickering at night, giving a stunning flying display in concert to music and pyrotechnics.
The brainchild of Terry Lesser, a WBRF member, this event was held from Saturday 30th April to Monday 2nd May 2016 with the help and blessing of SAMA A. We were indeed fortunate to have the SAMAA GM, Bob Skinner, with us for the entire event. Walker Bay Radio Flyers are based about 7km from Hermanus near Fisherhaven. As it is close to the coast, the weather plays a major role in the success or failure of such an event. On Thursday and Friday, we experienced extreme wind which made the whole success of the show questionable. Incredibly, Saturday dawned with a light breeze and plenty of sunshine and this great weather continued for the entire weekend.
The Reds Duo Formation Team who are the International Jet Formation champs, are from Shropshire in the UK. Steven Bishop and son Matthew fly quarter-scale replicas of the BA Hawk 22 jet aircraft as flown by the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team. The aircraft were incredibly detailed to the last rivet, and the skill of father Steven and son Matthew to fly in formation with such accuracy, was mind-blowing. The graceful manner in which they performed the manoeuvres had to be seen to be believed. Billowing smoke in the colours of the British flag added to the dramatic effect. And then, landing gear down, full flaps, nav lights on and with a perfect approach, the wheels just kissing the runway for a perfect landing. As a footnote, the Reds have again won the European Formation Champions Cup in Germany on 30 July 2016. Well done Red's!
The days were divided into eight 45-minute open flying segments, followed by 15-minute slots for our show pilots. Each show pilot did three displays per day. Lunch hour saw Eddie Bell do a sweetie drop by helicopter, to the absolute delight of all the kids attending the event. As darkness fell, illuminated aircraft took to the sky, followed by a fantastic pyrotechnic display. Watching the night flying, listening to a live band, plenty of refreshments on hand, great company, a memorable day came to an end... Our international guest pilots were; Martin Pickering, four-times Spanish 3D Aerobatic Champion and 4th in Europe, flying a Pilot Extra 330 SC, performed manoeuvres that were extremely graceful and close to impossible. Martin certainly inspired our local pilots to improve and reach levels they never thought possible. Martin excelled that evening, flying between the fireworks. Plumes of fire gushed from the wingtips of his Pilot 330 SC as he danced around the sky. This was a show to be remembered.
Matthew and Steven, low and graceful!
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Fergus (Tzu Chun) Lin and his Pilot Extra 330SC, with GP 123cc engine providing the power for the incredible free-style aerobatics. Reds Duo Team preparing the BA Hawk jets before a show flight.
Fergus Lin, Asian 3D Aerobatic champion, as well as being the owner of GP Model Engines, hails from Taiwan and flew the other Pilot Extra 330 SC. When it comes to flying, Fergus knows no boundaries, and for him, the laws of physics are there to be broken! At times, one thought a crash was inevitable, but with exact and precise control, Fergus took it in his stride. Tony Tan, co-owner and president of Pilot RC from China, provided the two Pilot Extra 330 SC aircraft, and Fergus Lin provided the GP123cc engines that powered these magnificent aircraft over the three days. The local South African GP dealer, Clive McInnes of CMC Hobbies, sponsored some of the prizes for the event.
Martin Pickering with the Extra 330SC, powered by the GP 123cc engine.
Louis Genade flew the impressive large Extra in its Breitling colour scheme.
SABC News covered the event which was shown on all the Monday evening 7pm news bulletins and can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uTDPLSvFaw&feature=share RPATS.aero sponsored a video seen at: https://vimeo.com/166722912 Martin Pickering's videos are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKTsZd-jbTQ and at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uYNTCSCiJY&feature=youtu.be
Eddie Bell delighting the next generation of RC pilots, with regular sweetie drops with his helicopter.
Not to be outdone, Peter Hinz, owner of Cerebus RC, the Pilot RC dealer in South Africa, brought his show pilots Marc Alperstein, Danie Bernardo, and Johan Kriel, who delighted the crowd with their skills. Louis Genade from Hobbyland gave an impressive display with the Pilot Extra RC Breitling aircraft, and on the Sunday, Michael and Clinton Basson of Micton Hobbies brought their Jet team aircraft and put up a fantastic show.
Louis Genade’s Decathlon powered by a ZDZ 210cc engine.
Michael Basson of Micton Hobbies doing a low fly-past with the Rebel Pro jet.
Johan Kriel (member of Cerebus display team) with his 100cc SBach.
Fergus and Tina seeking shade under the wing of the large Decathlon.
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And, as is always the case, this whole event was the result of a massive team effort. From Terry Lesser's concept, the Extravaganza Fly-in committee, under the leadership of Canzius Kleyn, did an incredible job. The WBRF committee, under the leadership of Kobus Louw and all the members, gave their full support and many hours of hard work. It never ceases to amaze how the members of Walker Bay Radio Flyers give their time and expertise so generously to ensure the success of their events, and this was no different. And of course, thank you Terry for bringing such incredible guest pilots to our shores. A weekend of memories and inspiration. Well done Walker Bay Radio Flyers. Thanks to all the sponsors and dealers for your generosity and help, and to all the visiting RC pilots who entertained and enthralled us.
Reds Duo team: Steve Bishop, (Martin Pickering), Tristan, Michael, Matt, and Terrence.
MSX-R by Ron Holloway powered by a 55cc engine.
Martin Pickering, with the Tx behind his back.
Francois Viljoen flew this electric-powered C-130 Hercules.
There was always an atmosphere of safety during the event. Yes, there were small mishaps and errors in judgement from some of the pilots, and the management and air bosses of the Extravaganza were always pro-active. Middle photo is Nico Swart and Edwin Bell, and on the right, Eddie again, this time with Renier Faasen. The red-and-green paddle board indicated to the pilots whether they had the safety officer’s permission to enter the runway from the taxiway holding position.
Fergus Lin and Tina...enjoyed their SA visit.
Eddie Bell, Canzius Kleyn, and Kobus Louw.
Martin Pickering, Terry Lesser, and Tony Tan.
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Betsie and Canzius Kleyn, at the core of the event.
Maritzburg MAC Scale Day Text and photos by Michael Richards
Robin Judd’s superb DH60 Cirrus Moth, flying again after many years in storage. Heading vignette image shows the original G-EBLV Cirrus Moth in flight.
On the 26th June, the Maritzburg Model Aircraft Club (near the Lion Park outside Pietermaritzburg) staged a very successful scale day, and a good collection of superb scale aircraft were brought out to the club to enjoy the sunny conditions. Each of the models has a history, and with this article I will endeavour to awaken the interest of all modellers in South Africa who have the desire to research, build, and fly a scale aircraft. The heading photo shows the restored DH Cirrus Moth. The de Havilland aircraft company designed the Moth to be a sport trainer and a private flying machine, and it first flew in 1925. What made it unique for its time, was that the wings could be folded back, and the aircraft hitched as a trailer behind a car, to be parked at home! The original power was from a French 60HP Cirrus engine, hence this version was named a DH.60 "Cirrus Moth". (later, de Havilland fitted its own-designed Gypsy 100HP engine and it became known as the Gypsy Moth). The Cirrus Moth, after which this very precise scale model was scratch-built, is currently one of the aircraft of the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden in England, and is owned by BAE. Robin Judd, university professor and KwaZulu-Natal scale modeller parexcellence, built this super-scale Cirrus Moth more than 20 years ago, and had over one hundred flights with it. After Robin passed away, his son inherited the model which went into storage. When moving house, he gave it to Lynton Milner who has a beautiful de Havilland Tiger Moth and DH Chipmunk amongst other planes. Having limited space, Lynton passed the Cirrus Moth on to Leon Coetzee, who fitted modern electronics, and carefully checked and serviced the model. It still flies beautifully and very scale-like, exactly as it did on its maiden flight many years ago! The French Nieuport 17 was being supplanted by the Spad SVII in the French Air Force. Nieuport developed the much-improved Nieuport 28, but
the French had already opted for the Spad. When the US Army Air Cor entered the First World War, the French made the Nieuport 28 available to the Americans. A number of American pilots became aces flying the Nieuport 28. After the war, many were exported to the USA. Howard Hughes used a Nieuport 28 in his famous film of WW1, “Hell’s Angels”. This Nieuport now hangs in the National Air and Space Museum, near Washington DC. Neil Allen built a detailed scale model of this particular Nieuport in the late eighties, took it to the USA, and came 17th in the world scale championships (FAI F4C class). In 2001, the Nieuport crashed due to battery failure. Neil gave the damaged plane to Leon Coetzee, who repaired the wings, built a new fuselage, exchanging the glow motor with an electric motor and a sound system of the original Gnome engine. This 30-year old super-scale model Nieuport 28 attracts a lot of attention at fly-ins in its original WWI American Army Air Cor colours. The on-board original Gnome engine sound, and the sound of the guns firing, also makes the model very realistic!
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The wingspan of the Farmhand is 2,4m, with a single piece wing. The dry weight is 9kg and the engine is a DLE 60 Twin 2-stroke. The aircraft was built primarily as a glider tug. However, it can do scale-like aerobatics, and uses flaps for landing and take-off. The picture below shows Dean Halley’s glider being towed up by Ian Drennan and the Farmhand, with an awesome display of his ASW 28 glider.
The Republic P47D "Razorback” Thunderbolt was originally designed by the USSR immigrant, Alexander Kartvelli, who escaped to the USA to get away from the Russian Bolsheviks . The Thunderbolt first flew in 1941 and was designated a high altitude fighter to protect the USA bombers. It was not very agile but could out-dive any other fighter of any nation. Maximum speed was 665km/h, and it had four .5 inch cannons in each wing, firing armour-piercing shells, which made it quite formidable. As a ground-attack aircraft, it played a major role, as it carried two four hundred pound bombs in addition to its cannon firepower. It was later fitted with a bubble canopy. Leon Coetzee's Thunderbolt is a Hangar 9 model, but with scale panel lines, metal gun panels, scale cockpit, with bombs, scale exhausts, dirtied and weathered like the full-size, and painted with clear matte 2K paint. It has a tremendous presence when flying. Beautiful rolling hills of KZN provide a scenic background to Dean Halley’s ASW 28 glider.
The Junkers Stuka 87B was a successful ground-attack aircraft flown by the Luftwaffe since 1935, in the Spanish Civil War and WWII. The Stuka dived at _ 550km/h and dropped its bomb at about a an angle of 60 to 90 degrees at + thousand feet. The pull-out was automatic, as many pilots greyed out due to the G force of 6g or more. The Stuka had a 833KW inverted-V Jumo engine, but was not fast enough to get away from most Allied fighters. Leon Coetzee bought the damaged ESM model, repaired it, and changed the European camouflage scheme to the Desert scheme, with Desert Squadron badges. The cockpit interior is full scale, as is the exterior of the model, right down to the siren spinner. The model also drops a bomb during the dive! The colour scheme and markings are as per the full size version hanging in the USA Museum of Science. The current flying model is 800g heavier than the original kit design, but it flies and tracks very well! The specified CG was 135mm but was changed to 120mm to get rid of the tail-heavy tendency that caused the original to prang!
Ian Drennan flew a "Scale Look-alike" but the aircraft is actually a Farmhand sport-type aircraft, designed by Steve Holland from the UK, and was built from a Traplet laser-cut wood pack.
Eike Richter flew this Focke Wulf FW 190 D9. This is the so-called long nose version of the original A series, with a radial BMW 801 D. The FW 190 D9 had an inverted Junkers Jumo 213E V12 engine with fuel injection, and a three stage turbo charger. Standard armament was two MG 131 in the fuselage and two MG 152 in the wings. There were numerous “Rüstsätze”, meaning special armaments and attachments, or field modification kits. Eike scratch-built the FW 190 D9 in1:6 scale, guided by an off-scale plan of Dave Platt, but decided to make it to scale. One can therefore find all the details, like rivets, panel lines, and colouring according to 9/JG54. Undercarriage was manufactured by Eike, including the wheels and oleos. The engine used is an OS 91 FS (four-stroke), running on 20% Nitro and 17% Aerosynth. Other functions are aileron, rudder, elevator, and flaps, to scale i.e. covered with fabric, with exception of the flaps which are sheeted. The model is balsa built and glass covered. For the event, Eike removed the undercarriage doors due to the runway conditions!
Lynton Milner’s 1/4 scale Tiger Moth, built from a Pilot kit. Powered by a Saito 180.
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Rhys Mason’s Aerospatiale Puma is electric, powered by a Scorpion 5035410kv motor, and Castle Creations 160amp ESC, running on 10s Li-Po batteries, with the average flight time being 5 minutes. The Puma weighs in at 12kg and is a bit of a handful to fly. Rhys is still trying to fine-tune the V-bar that controls the four-blade head. The build took three years, the fuselage starting off as a Super Puma before Rhys attacked it with his Dremel (no Puma bodies were available). Rhys put on all the external detail, and the cockpit is scratch-built, as well as the undercarriage. Mechanics are modified Raptor 90 frames with a clutch on the motor for scale start-ups. A 40-degree gearbox and two shaft drives take care of the tail. Rhys walked off with prizes for the best scale plane on the day, and the pilots’ choice of best display. A successful day for the members of the Maritzburg Model Aircraft Club, well organised, with a great turn-out.
Robin Judd, S A modeller par excellence
Leon Coetzee’s Stuka at the old Durban International airport.
Robin Judd was a scale aeromodeller par excellence. Two of his perfect scale models hang in the Johanneburg War Museum. Robin built this Cirrus Moth in the late seventies, I believe, and it graced the KZN skies with well over a hundred flights. This Moth is modelled on the Cirrus Moth of the same registration, based at Old Warden. Other than the engine, the detail is as close to scale as one can get. Every hinge, linkage, and clip was made to scale by Robin. The exhaust is a replica of the long extended exhaust of the original Cirrus Moth. de Havilland designed the original Moth so that the wings fold back for easy trailering and parking. Robin duplicated this mechanism exactly, and the wings fold back in to spring clips identical to the original full-size, making this model easy to transport and rig! After Robin passed on to the big hangar in the sky a number of year’s ago, his will determined that his models must be passed on to a number of his friends and family. I was lucky enough to be a recipient, and in his memory, I donated the Polish trainer he left me to the War Museum, together with another model. This Cirrus Moth in the photo, precurser to the Tiger Moth, was left to Robin’s son and gathered dust and gecko droppings in his garage. After many years, he gave it to Lynton Milner, another modeller of great talent. As Lynton has a number of models including a magnificent 1/4 scale Tiger Moth and a Kittyhawk under construction and was already running out of space, he kindly passed this Cirrus Moth on to me on the basis that I update and renovate it and bring it to flying condition. At 1,829m wing span, it is an exact 1/5 scale model of the 30ft span Moth. It is powered by a .91 four-stroke which gives it scale performance. Considering that it was built in the late seventies, surprisingly the Moth is in good condition. I replaced the receiver with 2.8 JR, the battery with 1200mah LiFe and a voltage regulator in order to use the original servo’s. I modified the throttle linkage, made a hatch under for easier access to the workings, fitted a modern receiver switch with charger access, new fuel tank, and redesigned an easier fuel filling system, remote glow driver point, scale front seat, and finally, a pilot hand-made by Robin (he even sewed the uniform himself!) taken out of another aeroplane. And there she is in my workshop ready to fly at the third Maritzburg MMAC scale day on the 26th of June. One of KZN's best pilots, Jason Barker, will do the flying honours! I salute the memory of Robin Judd, a talented South African modeller and a great human being and friend.
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2016 Jets-R-Us Gariep Fly-in
Boet Denysschen Lots of aeries, trailers, and vehicles lined up on both sides of the broad taxiway, allowed for easy and unrestricted access
The 9th Jets-R-Us Fly-In took place over the weekend of 6th to 10th July 2016. After an absence of three years, the event was back at the Gariep Dam Airfield, previously known as Hendrik Verwoerd Dam. The event was the second largest Gariep Fly-in, with a total of 98 pilots attending. We arrived on Wednesday lunch-time after a good drive down from Johannesburg, with most of the JHB pilots riding in convoy. We had a few Pretoria pilots driving in convoy, leaving at around 3am. Arriving at the field, the venue was found as usual to be in tip top condition. We arranged to have the grass cut around the taxiway and the further side of the runway which makes it more convenient where trailers and aircraft are parked, and for pilots and spectators to be seated. It also gave more space down the taxiway for the public to walk through and not damage planes. Trailers were parked either side of the taxiway which works on a first-comefirst-served basis. Thursday morning, a pilots briefing was held just after 09:00 with around 80% of the total amount of pilots being there, with the balance of pilots arriving throughout Friday, and Saturday morning. The pit area was quickly filled with pilots and aircraft eager to get in the sky and enjoy themselves. A local caterer was on hand operating from one of the hangars making breakfast and lunch for all the hungry people. Flying took place from around 08:00 every day till darkness set in, with the last pilots leaving the field around 18:00 every day. The event drew a lot of families and friends this time with around 160 people in total attending. Gariep offers very good accommodation and this allows for the kids and moms to make it a mid-year break. A lot of growth around tourism has happened in the town in the last four years with the establishment of a larger supermarket, some very good restaurants, and most of the accommodation being upgraded. The town folk went out their way to accommodate all and make our stay as enjoyable as possible. Saturday evening, all went off to the local bowling club where a braai was organised for all, with around 140 people attended the supper. A local band was supplied playing background music and were taking donations for their efforts. An overhead projector was showing some photos of the last eight years’ events. Before supper started, a few thank you's were done by the organisers, as well as a prize giving. Every lady who attended the event was given a little gift of appreciation for supporting the man in their lives which was sponsored by Alex Kuys and Tiffe Gouws. A gift pack made up of Annique Beauty products was sponsored by the Lettau family who were most probably the most excited family to go back to Gariep and the first to book their accommodation. The gift pack was given out by doing a lucky draw with all the ladies’ names placed in a bowl. Around 40 prizes were given to some of the men pilots which was also done in the same manner of drawing a name. These prizes were donated by our sponsors who were: Jets-R-Us Dennys Electrical AMT Composites Aerial Concepts Vox Telecoms Pierre Fouche (3W SA) Sanjay Kana Dean Jakins Mr Anonymous 1 Mr Anonymous 2 Lettau Family Tiffe Gouws Alex Kuys Louis Vermaak (Afridrill) Steven Baartman Peter Hewitt Chris Venter (RCT4B) Tobie Kock (Devine Group) Darryl Legg (Aviation artist) Paula Denysschen (Bag Lady) Marius Lensing (Marko Sweiswerke) Corrie Coetzee (Cors-Air)
The contributions made by our sponsors help to make the event more successful and we are very grateful for their continued support. Every year a painting is made by the renowned aviation artist Darryl Legg. This is known as the Adriaan Bakker Memorial Trophy, and is given to a pilot after the weekend for whatever reason the organisers feel fit. The theme for every year’s painting is based on an aircraft of the SA Air Force, this year a Cessna was chosen as the subject. The trophy was awarded to George van den Burgh, who was ridden by bad luck, starting on the Friday evening before the event. George collected his brand new Dolphin jet, and upon returning home, he took it out the bakkie, turned it over and the canopy fell off and shattered. With help from various modellers, family and friends, a canopy was found and was being delivered from Cape Town to Gariep on Wednesday while George was driving to Gariep from Pretoria. But the saga continues: at around 03:30 on Wednesday, morning the next batch of bad luck struck. The trailer, a borrowed one nogal, came off the bakkie and collided along the side of the road without George realising it was no longer following him. After back tracking on the freeway around Johannesburg, the trailer was found, re-hitched and ready to go. Only problem was that the 40size, brand new, never-maidened Stik was in three pieces, and the Dolphin jet had two horizontal stabs totally broken. The one-third scale Cessna was in 100% condition, except for the two aluminium wing spars that were bent. Arriving at Gariep, spares were found at the local hardware store... what luck that was, finding two odd sizes in the middle of the Karoo, and the Cessna was soon airworthy. For the Dolphin, it took about two nights of him and his helpers drinking time, to patch and repair the stabs, but by Saturday it was up and flying. Well done to the team!
Lots of aeries and lots of activity for the second-largest Gariep Fly-in.
Sunny early-afternoon conditions, but still chilly enough for Lorraine to wear her windbreaker.
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Regarding other mishaps, there were only two prop planes damaged and some stab and nose damage on two jets. Overall, an excellent weekend was spent with good weather and good friends. A special welcome to the 19 new pilots who made their first trip to a Jets-R-Us event, and a special thanks to all who helped to keep the venue clean of litter, stompies, and bottle tops. We have demonstrated to the site owner that we are responsible and caring for the environment. All are looking forward to Gariep 2017, which will be our tenth year so we have to GO BIG or GO HOME, and all of this... JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT! Till next time, Boet
R.I.P. Michel Leusch Those who know me, will understand, there is rarely a time when I am speechless. I have purposely held off posting anything about the loss of my best friend, mentor, inspiration, and Futaba programmer, (that’s especially for Dave C), because I am at a loss for words. Michel and I go back quite some time, to when he was a whippersnapper flying at the Springfield Slope at every opportunity, where he really milked everything out of his models. There is no question about his talent, and his passion for aviation, which he exploited to the limit, in both modelling and full size flying, gaining and endearing himself to audiences across the country. In all the time I have known Michel, there was never enough that he could do for his friends, freely giving of his expertise, assisting wherever he could, to make us all better pilots. He had the uncanny knack of programming models with any brand of transmitter put in his hands, and in double-quick time. That ability will pickle my brain for many years to come. His loss at this time is immeasurable; there are so many people that are going to hurt for a long time, but we need to continue to do what Michel would want us to do, “live your dream, it’s the right thing to do”. To his Mom and Dad, dearest soulmate Nats, André, Julien, and your families, and the countless people in model and full-size flying, my sincere condolences, the world is poorer for the loss of our dear Michel. Heaven has gained an Angel with shiny silver wings, probably fully symmetrical, or long, thin, and white. I just hope the hangar in heaven is big enough.
Flight line action, with clear warning of no smoking on the flight line.
Gone, but never forgotten, ‘till we slope again, your student and admirer, Chairman of your Fan Club Russ (Russell Conradt)
Happy pilots, back at Gariep after an absence of a few years. Townsfolk happy too.
This is how all of us who knew Michel, will remember him...always cheerful.
Gariep facilities allows ample space for parking and pit areas.
Michel assisting me on the slope. He was a great inspiration to me.
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It is with deep sadness that I write this message to convey the news that Michel was tragically killed on Saturday morning 27th August, in China. “Former world aerobatics champion and Durban pilot, Michel Leusch is reported to have been killed in a plane crash at an air show in China”. Netwerk24 reported that the 33-year-old South African pilot was killed when his plane crashed during an air show in north-central China's Gansu province on Saturday morning, after failing to pull out of a dive. It said he was part of a group of South African aerobatic pilots participating in air shows in China. The modelling fraternity all knew Michel as that cheerful man who was always ready to help. Many times he would bring his plane to the field and his plane would stay in his car, because he was just so busy helping everyone set up their planes or test flying someone else's plane. We are all going to miss him terribly.
We used to sit and work out the Aresti schedules, then practice them, and crit each other’s flying. These are some of the days that I will miss the most. Who the heck is gonna call for me at our aerobatic comps now dude? You were always there to tell me to just stay calm. At comps, you would always tell me "stop being so hard on yourself and just fly the rest of the manoeuvre". You introduced me to aerotow and I got hooked.Towing you was always a challenge, and you pushed me to be my best. Gonna miss you mate. RIP and make sure when we join you one day, there is a place to fly! Till we meet again. Clive (McInnes). My sincerest condolences go out to André, Natalie, Mike and their families.
Our condolences go out to his family and close friends. His dad, André Leusch is also well-known to all of us and our thoughts and prayers go to him and the family. Michel’s partner, Natalie, was often at the field supporting Michel. Our thoughts are with you, Nats. To Leon Coetzee, who was a close friend of Michel’s for many years, we all share your pain for the loss of an amazing man. To me, Michel was the one person who was always able to help me solve a multitude of problems with motors and planes. He just had the knack, and of course the experience, to nail down the problem and resolve it with so little fuss. Those days he would come out to the field at Shongweni before he opened the shop to help us, was testament to his personality. Nothing was too much trouble. Michel, we will miss you . Your input into many lives you have touched, is an indication to the amazing man you were. Rest in peace my friend. We will never forget you. Lloyd Wing Michel’s first ever flight in the Red Bull Sbach. That smile says it all!
Just recently, an event/incident occured at a SAMAA-registered club, where a turbine-powered jet had crashed. A simple investigation by the owner/pilot revealed the following: Pic of Michel, obviously taken recently in China.
Saturday 27th August I woke to the news that Michel had suffered a tragic accident at an airshow in China. I had to read, and re-read that message. It just wasn't possible! Michel hasn't had it easy getting where he was that day. He had had so many setbacks with his own Giles, and he always pulled through against the odds. Michel was always out there going after what he wanted, working hard to get there, and finally achieving his ultimate dream of flying amongst the best, flying with the Red Bull team, and also doing his solo in one of the best aerobatic planes out there. We often talked about his full-size and the crossover from his modelling. He would just grin and say “you have to buy an aerobatic plane, you'll love it!” Michel wasn't just dreaming big, he made it happen and was out there taking every challenge that came his way, and turning it into success We have lost one of the nicest, most humble, and talented guys in our hobby. He was an inspiration to us, always out there helping everyone, and always game to be flying something... be it full-size or models. Jets, aerobatics, or gliders, Michel Leusch, you will forever be in our hearts and memories. Michel was instrumental in promoting our hobby, and had time for everyone and their problems. Together we drove the KZN LSA group, and this saw tremendous growth and development, in the past few years. We owe it to him to keep this alive and show we are the best in LSA.
"The jet was flying well, when control was lost as it passed over the open field across our runway. The receivers had been programmed to go into failsafe, and as such, the turbine began a shut-down and cool-down sequence. Due to the loss of thrust, the jet began to lose altitude and rolled to the right. It crashed just past the tree line, still on the fly zone and did not damage any property, nor was anyone injured. From the video, it looks like it went beyond the tree line, as the camera on my glasses are a fixed focal and made it look further than it actually is. When I got to the crash site it was confirmed that the turbine had correctly shut down, and therefore there was no fire or hazard, nor smoke. The cause of the crash had been determined to be harmonic interference from the FPV transmission on board, which was feeding a live picture from the camera on board. After further research at a later stage, it was confirmed to be the cause, as it is recommended for the FPV frequency to be above/higher than that of the flying frequency. In most FPV scenarios this would be 5.8GHz. The system I was running however, was an older FPV system which ran on 1.2GHz, which would spike upwards on the spectrum, and as a result emit harmonic interference.” Members must please be acutely aware that the use of illegal equipment may result in the invalidation of a member’s SAMAA insurance should there be an accident or incident. Make use of the vast resources of the internet to obtain best advice, or talk to your local, trusted hobby shop, or telephone the SAMAA office, and together we will find a solution.
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2016 FAI F2 Control Line World Championships
Keith Renecle. Photos by Warren Leadbeatter Keith and Bokkie at the opening ceremony of the FAI F2 World Championships, in Whiteman Park, Perth.
In 2012, whilst attending the world champs in Bulgaria, we all heard that the Aussies had put in a proposal to host the world champs, but many thought that they would not get enough votes and that it would end up back somewhere in Europe anyway. By 2014 however, everyone realised that they were dead serious and had put in a very good proposal and eventually they got the nod. I must say that this was my 9th world champs and it was most certainly one of the best ever. The organization was good and the events were very well run. Somehow they even planned for very good weather as well! The event ran from the 7th to the 13th of May. I had not actually planned to go and compete, but then I received an invitation to run an aerobatic judging workshop in New Zealand on the North Island a few weeks before the world champs, and I also wanted to see my young friend Loren Nell, who did so well in F2B stunt while he lived here, make the top 15 finals. He had placed 19th in the last world champs in Poland and was really looking good for a place in the elusive top-15 fly-off. My flying skills are getting past their “sell-by” date now but I decided to go and compete and to have one last go at international competition level. I was supported by my wife Bokkie and also Conrad Cloete from Cape Town. My latest model “Newtron 2” came out a bit heavy at 1900 grams for good flying at our high altitude here in Joburg, but I figured that it should fly a lot better at low altitude in New Zealand and Australia. I was right and it did indeed fly better. The judging workshop was well received and after that I was able to help judge one of the local stunt competitions in Rotorua on the North Island. Loren and I were then able to put in a lot of practice together during the next week. The local modellers are allowed to fly electric models on a huge sports field called a “domain” just a few minutes drive from Loren's house in Te Awamutu. The weather was kind to us and after this week, I was totally confident that Loren would crack that top-15 place. My model trimmed out rather nicely and it looked like I would be able to really enjoy my last world champs. Then Murphy struck and a new good quality motor packed up. I had a virtually brand new AXI motor so I replaced it and all seemed well. After a few more flights however, the motor stopped in flight for no apparent reason. I checked the timer and even re-programmed it in case the bad motor that sparked had taken out the program. It then worked fine again. We left New Zealand for Australia on the 2nd of May. The world champs was held in Perth, Western Australia at a site called Whiteman Park in Caversham, just outside the city of Perth. It is a huge nature reserve and on one side there is a model aircraft flying site. The organisers actually added the circles to an existing R/C model club field and it was one of the best venues we have had for many years. The big plus for us stunt fliers was the availability of a huge practice field nearby. It was about 15 minutes drive from the flying site and only 5 minutes from where many of us stayed. There was enough space for 5 flying circles. We did however soon pick up a problem between flying on the grass field and the tar circles that caused quite a trim change on many of the models. I was told that it could be from the heat on the tar and that would make some sort of sense...I guess!
Loren Nell and Keith Renecle at the practice field.
Evening practice with Loren and Gail Nell and their baby son Ayden.
Igor Burger (Slovakia) second. Orestes Fernandes (USA) first. Richard Kornmeier (Germany) third.
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After some practice flights, my quitting-motor problem re-appeared so I changed the timer completely. This worked again but soon the same thing occurred and I figured that it must be the ESC that had been affected by the bad motor. I had brought a tried-and-tested spare 60 amp ESC, and for some reason that just made strange noises on the motor and would not work. I went to a local hobby shop that was supposed to have anything we needed according to the organisers, but found that they mainly dealt in car and boat equipment. I did manage to get a new unit but the brake function would not work correctly. The New Zealand team manger and F2B flier Kevin Barnes kindly lent me his spare unit, and after some surgery on the new model I managed to fit it and tried my best to re-trim the model. They also ran a World Cup competition during the week before the world champs and I was able to fly in that. It was however a bit of a disaster for me, but at least made sure that I was better prepared for the world champs. In March this year I developed a serious vertigo problem which certainly does not help when flying around in circles. After a lot of medication, I improved to the point where I could fly okay...but it was not too easy. I had already paid my entry fees for everything so I decided to just try my best. I got to the point where my only real problem came with the vertical maneuvers where I would lose a bit of orientation. My first two rounds were all over the place because I could not get good tracking over the tar circles. I kept working on this and my last two qualifiers went a lot better. I had what I felt was one of my better flights for my last round but did not get an improved score. I did however enjoy these two flights and overall I had a ball. Loren unfortunately hit some unexpected wake turbulence in a practice flight just before his first official flight and lost his good flying Max Bee model. That was so sad to witness especially as Loren and this model were really performing so well. One of the Australian volunteer workers, Bill Swan kindly lent Loren one of his models, a composite Yatsenko Classic stunter. It was engine-powered, unlike Loren's electric Max Bee, and did not perform very well. The Retro Discovery .60 engine just would not behave and of course it has been a while since Loren played with setting “slimer's�! He did his best even though he missed his first round. On his last flight he flew better but the engine would just not quit in the 7 minutes allowed for the flight. He over-ran this by 2 seconds and lost his landing points. He still placed 30th and I managed 41st place.
Quiet, unassuming Orestes Fernandes from the USA is the new F2B Aerobatics World Champion.
Igor Burger of Slovakia was silver-medallist with his Max Bee take-apart stunt machine.
The total entries were 51 in the F2B event. We normally have between 75 to 90 entries in Europe but many did not come because of the high cost of travelling to Australia. Most of the top fliers however were there and looking at my scores. I did place more-or-less where I normally place so I was not too unhappy. I am now 65 years of age and there are a lot of younger pilots around with high-tech composite ready-to-fly models that I could never afford paying in Rands, so I am satisfied that I did my best. The South African flag was flying, I came home with a model in one piece, and I did not fall over, so what can I say?? I enjoyed my last world champs! The previous world champ Igor Burger from Slovakia looked like he could not make it to Australia, but at the last minute he found a way to be there. His model was a full take-apart version of his famous Max Bee design. In Europe, many of the models are one-piece because they are able to travel by car to most contests. Igor completed his model just three weeks before the world champs and it was heavier than his previous versions. He is a master at trimming and got the best out of it, but having witnessed his superb flying first hand in Slovakia, I could see that he was not on his usual unbeatable form. He did however place 2nd and only lost out by 2,5 points to USA pilot Orestes Hernandez who flew really well in all of his rounds. Orestes is such a nice quiet-spoken guy and really deserved his first place. He also won the World Cup as well, so this just shows how consistently he flew.
Richard Kornmeier from Germany, a previous world champ, was third this time.
The young German pilot Richard Kornmeier placed third, with Paul Walker from the USA in 4th place. The USA also won the team trophy with David Fitzgerald placing 9th. Paul Walker and David Fitzgerald are both former world champions themselves! Richard Kornmeier was the 2010 world champ, so it shows just how consistent the top guys are. Electric power was used a lot more this time and although I did not get the official figures, I would guess that there was a 50/50 spread between engine-powered models and electric. The highest-placed engine-powered model was that of Jun Yang from China in 5th place. The engine was a 4-stroke. With four qualifying rounds these days, I did not get too much time to watch the other events. I did take my video camera and took some footage of the events. One pleasant surprise we had on one the days was a visit from fellow Barnstormers member Neil Collins, who managed to spend much of the day checking out how the round-and-round stuff goes at a control line world champs. He is an airline pilot, so he was in Australia and had the day off to spend with us. It was nice to see him! One of the interesting world cup events was a vintage A-class team race with many of the old type of diesel engines like the Oliver Tiger or the Australian Rothwell engines. These old-design models look more like aircraft than the modern high-speed bat-wing racing models we see today. They also use two wheels as you can see from the photo's. I believe that there was also a classic team racing event as well but I did not get to see that.
Predator, Paul Walker of the USA placed fourth.
Masuru Hiki of Japan (13th) used Sonic Boom.
Jan Yang of China placed fifth in the F2B Stunt event with this functional four-stroke model.
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Some of the Vintage A team racers, with two of the racers in the Classic class shown below.
Happy group of Australian team racing competitors. AUS teams placed, 1st, 2nd, and 17th.
The elevated race control room with a view over the entire team racing circuit, with electronic scoring.
Paul Eisner and Peter Hallman (GBR) flanking 2014 world champion Carl Dodge (USA).. Some of the FAI class F2D Combat competitors.
In F2C, we quickly noticed from the World Cup event that the Australian teams were going to be hard to beat in their own backyard. They took the first three places in the World Cup, and in the end they placed first and second in the world champs, with a French team placing third. Rob Fitzgerald and Mark Ellins were the winners, followed by the team of Murray Wilson and Mark Poschkens, with Thierry Ougen and Roland Surugue in third place. It was a very exciting final to watch if you look at the times of 6:22.8 and 6:23.4 between 1st and 2nd place... that shows how close it was over 200 laps. All three teams also finished the full race, although there was a little controversy over some whipping on the last lap. Have a look on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZqCeRFhTho and then draw your own conclusions! If you're a team racing fan, it's really good to watch. F2D Combat was won by a junior Illia Reduik from the Ukraine. I did not get to see the final match due to it running late and after the team race finals, but I did see a number of bouts and it is really awesome to watch to see just how good these pilots are with such accurate streamer cuts. The scoring works by getting points for each cut, so the idea is not to go for the kill by cutting your opponent's streamer completely in your first cut. You also get points for flying time, and you are allowed two models per bout, so it gets rather rough out there! The combat wing models are powered by high-revving .15 cu. inch (2.5ccm) lightweight glow engines with small props on them. This allows these models to turn incredibly tight. Most competitors arrive with a box full of wings, and repairs are also done in the circle if both models are broken with time still on the clock. I do not believe that there is any modelling event that is as exciting as combat!
Australian F2A Speed competitor locked into the pylon.
Just by the way, there were also a few ladies competing. In fact, the third placed junior was a young girl, Alexandra Nadein, from the USA. Over the years there have been quite a few hot-shot ladies in combat, so it's not just for the guys! In F2A Speed, it's interesting to see how the maximum speed has crept upwards steadily. A while ago, the line length was increased to slow the models down, because the pilots were having difficulty in spinning around the centre pylon which they have to place the handle in for the recorded laps. This extra drag brought the speed down to around the 280 km/h-mark, but now the guys are back up to over 300 km/h again. The engines are .15 glow engines running at around 40 000rpm on a small,
F2A Speed model with its long inboard wing. Speeds in excess of 300km/h were recorded.
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single-blade, counter-balanced propeller. If you have not seen this before, then search on Youtube and have a look if you have the necessary internet access. This event has been dominated by fliers using Russian and Ukrainian engines since the old days, when Rossi engines quit being involved, but fairly recently the British speed guru Peter Halman has developed his own speed engine with the help of the Irvine factory, based in the UK. The first two places this year were taken by Peter's engine with Paul Eisner in first place at 304.3 km/h, and Peter himself in 2nd place with a speed of 303 km/h. I would first of all like to thank my wife Bokkie for the wonderful support that she has given me through the years with me and my toys! I really appreciate it! To the New Zealand Control Line guys and especially Kevin Barnes, thank you for inviting me to do the judging workshop and for treating me like, as Kevin put it...an “Honorary Kiwi!� A big thank you also to Loren and Gail Nell for putting us up at their home in Te Awamutu for a few weeks. Lastly to the Australian world champs organising team, thank you for doing such a great job! I wish the French organisers everything of the best for the next F2 world champs in 2018. This one will be a hard act to follow!
One section of the large banquet hall.
Thanks to Warren Leadbeatter for some of the photo's. There are many good photo's on Warren's Flickr pages at this link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/warrenlead/sets/72157665952277574/with/2 6439197884/
Illia Reduik celebrates his victory in the FAI class F2D Combat.
A control line world championship requires a huge amount of trophies for the various classes.
Stunter of Brazilian team member.
Combat match in action!
Close-up of combat powerhouse.
Team Racing (FAI class F2C) action can be hectic most of the time.
Results. FAI F2B Aerobatics. 2016 World Championships. Perth, Australia Pl.
Name
Nation
Panel A
Preliminary rounds Panel B Panel A
Panel B
Total
Round 1
Final rounds/Fly-off Round 2 Round 3
Total
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
Orestes HERNANDES Igor BURGER Richard KORNMEIER Paul WALKER Jun YANG Liu YANG Marco VALLIERA Vladimir SALOMATIN David FITZGERALD Andrii IATSENKO Alexandre GAUTHIER Albert GARFUTDINOV Masaru HIKI Nicolas CHAPOULAUD Joe PARISI
USA Slovakia Germany USA China China Italy Russia USA Ukraine France Russia Japan France Australia
1053.30 1058.17 1038.50 1027.73 995.63 991.37 1031.40 967.57 992.47 977.23 993.47 980.70 918.43 972.90 948.60
1128.47 1058.83 1115.50 1086.80 1082.57 1078.47 1117.57 1021.47 1102.03 997.70 1071.97 1120.36 1043.27 1040.43 1044.23
1118.97 1142.40 1124.20 1099.63 1072.70 1077.07 1065.03 1059.80 1053.53 1061.70 1063.27 1095.40 1074.50 1035.67 1050.03
1150.57 1135.07 1153.07 1128.67 1075.30 1116.67 1101.57 1121.93 1164.17 1121.00 1086.67 1099.00 1083.47 1134.13 1104.43
2269.54 2277.47 2277.27 2228.30 2155.27 2193.74 2182.60 2181.73 2217.70 2182.70 2149.94 2215.76 2157.97 2169.80 2154.46
1106.84 1130.08 1122.63 1089.00 1088.27 1095.22 1068.48 1095.48 1091.67 1069.53 1091.80 1088.38 1076.67 1061.42 0
1115.84 1113.50 1123.52 1110.42 1080.27 1088.98 1094.73 1073.68 1089.07 1094.05 1083.33 1088.15 1077.40 1076.02 1064.83
2266.62 2264.03 2247.92 2230.60 2198.36 2196.39 2194.38 2188.91 2188.30 2184.91 2181.83 2176.53 2175.68 2162.44 2082.98
New Zealand South Africa
853.27 813.20
0 900.30
979.43 916.43
1032.59 918.07
2012.02 1834.50
30. Loren NELL 41. Keith RENECLE
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1150.78 1133.95 1124.40 1120.18 1110.09 1101.17 1099.65 1093.43 1096.63 1090.86 1090.03 1081.90 1098.28 1086.42 1018.15
From the office
Bob Skinner
I have previously commented on the fact that the months seem to fly by when one gets older, and this year is no exception. And, when one is busy, with no time to waste, it appears that time flies even faster. There have been numerous events this year that have been both exciting and successful, and have provided opportunity for every member of the Association, to get engaged in this wonderful pastime we refer to as Aeromodelling. We hope that you have either participated, or at least visited as a spectator. ID numbers, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! It is a requirement from the Aero Club of South Africa, our parent body, that our database contains an ID number for every member. The Aero Club of South Africa is the duly appointed National Regulator of all recreational aerosport activities, by the national Department of Sport and Recreation. As a SAMAA member, you are automatically a member of the Aero Club of South Africa, and all national federations use either ID numbers or Passport numbers to uniquely identify members, and most administrative software systems rely on the ID number for unique identification. This is standard practice throughout the sporting industry. The Aero Club system is also fully POPI compliant (Protection of Personal Information), and confidentiality of information is extremely important to the SAMAA management. Members must please use their log-in and passwords to visit the membership site, and check if their ID numbers are on the system, and correct. At the same time, verify other contact details as correct and current. Visit www.samaa.co.za, and log in. If you are unsure whether you have a login name and password, scroll down to this section (shown in the yellow panel below) on the front page, and type in your e-mail address. You will receive an automated e-mail message with your log-in name and password. Members who have renewed from 1 January can rest assured that their ID numbers are already on the membership programme database...no renewal would have been done without an ID. And, it will become easier and easier; there are just over three months left of renewals, and the proportion of members with no ID numbers on the database is not that great. Linda Dold For many years, the SAMAA office has been manned by a single person, sometimes with help from volunteers, elected officers, and part-time staff. Sometimes this was to the detriment of the Association, since the volume of work meant that certain things may have been overlooked or not accomplished. In recent years, the SAMAA management committee realised that there was a need for a second employee, for various reasons. Bob Skinner has a long history and many years of experience of dealing with SAMAA matters, but what happens when he gets treaded by the proverbial bus? Yes, standard membership issues, and answering of basic e-mail and telephone queries can be undertaken by someone, but skills transfer seemed like a logical succession plan. The SMC embarked on a recruitment campaign, and after an interview and selection process, Linda Dold was appointed from 1 August 2016. In Linda’s own words: I am Linda Dold, and I reside in the Boksburg area. My aviation career started in April 1991, with the Department of Transport, at the then Jan Smuts Airport. In 1994, the company Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) was Please note: for first-time log-in if your e-mail address is not on the database, e-mail or call Bob Skinner and Linda Dold on 011-973-3679, to request your log-in and password. OR If your e-mail address is already on the database and correct, you can obtain log-in details by entering your e-mail address on the “REQUEST LOG-IN DETAILS” screen.
established, and it provided me with 23 years of service in the aviation industry, gaining knowledge, experience, and skills. I worked in the Communication Centre and the Briefing Office (Flight Planning and NOTAM) section, up until February 2014. I was then a stay-at-home mom for my twin children for about ten months. In December of 2014, I started working full-time again as an administrator and data capturer at various companies. The opportunity to work in the aviation world was again afforded me when I applied for a position at the SAMAA. After a gruelling interview by Marthinus, Johan, and Bob, I was appointed as Assistant to the General Manager. Unlike many aeromodellers who aspire to enter the aviation industry as pilots, mechanics, administrators, etc. I have now accomplished the reverse...from full-size, to model aircraft! Although I am not a model aircraft flier myself, my husband Donald is active in this exciting hobby. My other main interests are sewing, cooking, and baking. I look forward to a very constructive and lasting relationship with S A M A A members, club administrators, and the SAMAA management. New subscription rates After a few years of no escalation in the rate of membership subscriptions, it has become necessary to re-look the fees, and at the 2016 Annual General Meeting at the end of March, a proposal was presented to increase the subs, based on the CPI Index and the current rate of inflation. After short discussion by the members present, and consideration of a few modified proposals, this proposal was adopted by majority vote. Members will automatically be notified when it becomes time for their annual renewal, through the automated membership system. Notice is given by automated e-mail, 30-days before due date. Some club administrators collect subscriptions for the club’s subs, as well as SAMAA subs, so please adhere to that system where it is already in place. Please check with your club administrators...in some cases there is a pro-rata arrangement for clubs with a singular entry/renewal date. The new SAMAA subscription rates, with effect from 1 January 2017, are shown below. These subscription fees will be valid until 31 December 2017: Regular/Adult members Junior members (over 18 years of age) Senior Citizen members (60 years and older)
R390 R220 R240
In the past there have been questions from parents regarding the status of their offspring who are still in the home, usually students. The cut-off age for junior to adult membership, is 18 years. So, a member is considered to be a junior up to the end of his 18th year. Similarly, members may claim senior citizen status in the year that they turn 60 years of age, and it becomes time to renew their membership. The SAMAA offers rolling membership, and the period of membership is one year, from date of entry. Where a member has made a late renewal of membership, the original date of entry is retained, unless of course there has been an extended period of absence from the Association, or the member makes an honest plea to be reinstated with a new entry date, after returning from contract employment abroad. New, much-reduced advertising rates Since there is no longer a litho-printed, posted, hard-copy issue of SAMAA News, there has been a significant saving in the production costs of our newsletter. It seemed logical to reduce the advertising rates, which will make it much more attractive to dealers, importers, distributors, etc. to advertise in our newsletter, reaching at least 3 800 members, directly by e-mail link. With immediate effect, the rates are as indicated below.
ID equired beerr r r e b m u n mb meem Am MAA A S h c a b of S A f or e e Aero Clu database nt from th
AMAA uireme It is a req member on the S Please log in, r. ry e e b v e m that an ID nu er details must haver ID, and check oth office, A u A add yo t the S A M Or contac 1-973-3679. 01
Description/size (rates valid until further notice) Full page (A4) Half page (landscape or portrait) Quarter page Eighth page Your Local Dealer advert, per insertion Swops & Smalls, for a reasonable number of items advertised (call SAMAA office for more details)
Full-colour R800 R500 R300 R150 R50 R50
Information At the SAMAA office, we are regularly faced with queries from members (and non-members), most often by e-mail, and usually about membership (or “drones!”). On many occasions, we have to request more information, for a second and even a third time. When you make enquiries, please provide as much information as possible to enable us to help you efficiently.
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Writing something like “I have not received my membership card” is very sketchy, and requires us to request more information before we can even begin to resolve the query. “When did you make a renewal...what reference did you use...has your address perhaps changed?” Or: “I want to join a club?” “Where are you located”, is the obvious question that comes to mind. History Preservation Project Some wonderful donations have recently been received by the SAMAA. Zane Mannell has been in contact with Mr B Quan’s widow, and a whole bunch of 60's modelling equipment came out of his workshop. Martin Bower of Klerksdorp thinks that Mr Quan’s first name may have been Jiang Low. He was a regular flier with Charlie Marincowitz, at the former Panorama Radio Flyers, presently the site of Rand Model Aeronautic Club, which is probably one the oldest existing model aircraft clubs in the country. The Lanier ARF aircraft that was flown by Mr B Quan in the late 60s-early 70s
The aircraft that Zane donated to the SAMAA History Preservation Project is probably a Lanier product, and one of the very first ARFs of the late 1960s, early 1970s. It has an ABS plastic fuselage, with plastic-covered foam wings and empennage. Zane has promised to obtain more details so that the jigsaw pieces will fit in place. In April, I had a visit from Roy Spavins, who represented South Africa on three occasions at F3B Multi-task gliding events. His last world championship was in 1981, Sacramento, USA. He competed with one of the first all-composite F3B gliders, and probably the last of the polyhedral gliders. All the competitors, team managers, and supporters signed the Yellow Bird, and today it has pride of place in the SAMAA office, hanging from the ceiling. Pieter Frylinck donated a bunch of historic transmitters, including the Sankyo Digital proportional set, and a few Sataba and Sanwa radios that were used by John Houston and his sons Craig and Ian. Hermanus visit I was fortunate to be in Hermanus at the end of April, for the Walker Bay Extravaganza. What a superb event...well organised, and well executed.
Gerry Matchett, icon of South African aeromodelling during the 1950s, posing with some of his free flight and control line aircraft. Gerry’s son, Michael, sent this historic photograph a few months ago.
I was able to meet new people, and I enjoyed great hospitality, especially from Isabeau and Derek Naudé in their beautiful Vermont guest house, Beaumonté. My grateful thanks to Kobus Louw, Canzius Kleyn, Terry Lesser and Christelle du Plessis, Renier Faasen, Eddie Bell, Nico Swart, and many others. I was able to meet up with long-time good friends Louis Genade, Noel Booysen, Paul Fouché, and others. The event was an example of how an airshow should be organised and executed, and it provided a spectacle to the members of the public who attended. All the right permits and approvals were obtained, and safety was paramount. Well done to all who played a part in this successful event! Safe flying!
Roy Spavins’ 1981-vintage Yellow Bird glider. Vignette shows signatures of South African team: Jack Abbot (team manager), Andy Keil, Nord Gerneke, Roy Spavins, and Noel Drew (supporter).
Cover of the programme book of the 1952 SAMAA nationals for control line and free flight, held at the Fisantekraal Aerodrome, outside Durbanville. Donation by Michael Matchett.
Sankyo Digital RC transmitter, one of the early proportional sets to be imported from Japan, probably by Topflyte Hobbies (John Calefato). Sataba Tx probably from 1980s. Donation by Pieter Frylinck.
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When is an event a Fly-in, or Airshow, or demonstration, or Special Air Event?
In the last few months, the SAMAA management has had to address several cases where organisers of events were not sure if they had to apply for a permit to conduct a fly-in, or an airshow, or a demonstration, or a special air event. It is also too easy for an organiser to follow the path of least resistance, by applying for a permit for a fly-in, and to then have a full-blown airshow. We have a duty and a responsibility to ourselves and to the public to conduct our activities in a safe and organised manner. Yes, we play with toy aircraft, but on the other hand, they are sophisticated flying machines, that are capable of causing harm to persons, or damage to property.
The general safety risk is also high, since accidents or incidents of a general nature may occur to visiting public. Think of tripping over a power cord, or a tent peg, or being stung by a bee, or a veld fire in the parking area, so it’s advisable to have a small public liability insurance policy to cover these types of incidents. Of course, the SAMAA insurance policy will cover accidents and incidents of a flying nature that may occur at the airshow.
In the first issue of SAMAA News for 2016, there was a write up on the conditions and requirements for a Special Air Event, and it is repeated here. It will have to be repeated regularly, together with the requirements for other events, so that it becomes top-of-mind awareness with organisers of potential events. Organisers must please take the trouble to read and study the SAMAA Manual of Procedures, and more specifically PR 02. These documents are all available on the SAMAA website, www.samaa.org.za
The organiser of an airshow is obliged to apply to various authorities for permission to hold the event: • SASREA application - Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act (Act 2 of 2010). This was originally designed for stadium-type events, but applies to any event where spectators are present. It addresses all the issues around safety and security of the public. Here is an online link to a fillable application.
Fly-in But let’s start with a simple fly-in. A fly-in is usually organised by a club or a group. There is a general invitation to members of neighbouring clubs or clubs in the region/province to attend the event, and the general purpose is to create camaraderie and social interaction, and of course an opportunity to enjoy flying. The event is held at a SAMAA-registered site/club, and no entrance fee is charged to spectators, and no advertising is generated to attract spectators with a view of raising the club’s funds. There may of course be an entry fee to participating pilots, which could be for a braai pack, or a t-shirt, or something to cover basic costs. The minimum proficiency required for a pilot to fly at a fly-in, is Solo (Fixedwing, Jet, and Helicopter), but unqualified pilots may be allowed to fly, if accompanied and supervised by an experienced pilot. It may even be a case of buddy-cord assistance. The organisers are required to complete SAMAA forms F08 and F09, for approval and the permit to conduct the event. Simple enough, and the risk is low. Yes, because the proficiency requirement is not set to a high level, but there is of course still some risk to other pilots. Those pilots who do not feel comfortable with flying at such an event, ought to sit out, enjoy the sunshine and the flying, and the company of fellow aeromodellers. Airshow An airshow is of course another matter, and is usually a formal event where the organisers aim to raise funds for the club, or for a charity, or another good cause. Advertising through various means and media, is thus designed to attract spectators, and the organisers will charge a gate entry fee, and will sell foodstuff and refreshments, and will provide other entertainment besides model flying. Sometimes the air show will be organised on an aerodrome/airfield or other location larger than a regular club premises, that is able to accommodate more people, infrastructure, cars, full-size aircraft, etc. Here the situation is very different, since there are members of the public present, and they have been charged an entry fee to gain access to the event. The safety risk with flying in and at an airshow is significantly higher than for a fly-in, and the organisers must make a careful, calculated decision of who will be allowed to fly in the airshow. The event is definitely not designed for a pilot or pilots to show their individual skill, but rather to showcase aeromodelling, and what is possible, by flying a variety of wellrehearsed, skillful, and entertaining routines, with regular and unusual model
aircraft subjects, representative of our colourful hobby.
https://js.pdffiller.com/index.html#/users/62060431/forms/77969403/edit?jstoken=1cf64e18c2963 7f34d337c7b920e2755&viewer=62060431
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Local SAPS, informing them of the event Local municipality/Metro permission Emergency services: ambulance, fire-fighting, traffic management Landowner’s permission RAASA permission, if a NOTAM is required for Flexible Use of Airspace, or a change to airspace. Or, where an exemption is required to fly higher than the approved height limit of 400ft SAMAA permit application, and Display Director’s Statement If it is planned for full-size aircraft to do a display, those pilots need to be in possession of an Aerial Operators Certificate (display authorisation), obtainable from RAASA, which clearly details wht the intended scope of their display is (limited to level flight, or bank-angle, with no loops, rolls, or tumbling manoeuvres) Method of communicating with full-size aviators, by means of an airband radio. The operator needs to have a radio licence, and is not allowed to give instructions; this may only be done by a qualified and accredited Air Traffic Controller Public health certificates, if food is being prepared on site. Here too, emergency equipment is required, in case of an open or grease fire It will be greatly beneficial to the approval processes, if an Emergency Response and Evacuation plan is documented and submitted.
The minimum proficiency rating for flying in an airshow is SAMAA Silver (and Heli Advanced Gold, and Jet Solo/Vlamgat), for a member of the SAMAAregistered club where the airshow is staged. For fliers from other clubs, a minimum of Fixed-Wing Gold is required, since they may not be familiar with the layout, conditions, and peculiarities of the club they are flying at for perhaps the first time. A minimum of Gold is required for all pilots if the event is not staged at a SAMAA-registered site. Special Air Events Quite often, clubs will arrange for events that are not simple fly-ins or social events. Usually this is planned to take place at a registered or licenced full-size aerodrome, and permission is required, firstly from the landowner or airport operator, and secondly from SAMAA and the authorities (RAASA/CAA/ATNS), for the airspace that is going to be used or shared with other users of the air. Earlier this year, we experienced a problem with an application for an event at a full-size aerodrome. The problem seemed insurmountable, but the solution was actually quite simple, and Pierre Laubscher, Operations Manager at RAASA, provided this information to help potential organisers: Where there is a request for change to airspace and an application for a Special Air Event, the application needs to reach (Tania) at RAASA no less than 150 days before the event, since it has to be passed through the AIRAC-cycle for approval. In the case where there is no change to airspace for a Special Air Event, and only a NOTAM is required, an application may be submitted to RAASA no less than 30 days prior to the scheduled event. Obviously the request is lodged with the SAMAA firstly, with information on
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 17
the details, scope, and activities of the planned event, and all the supporting documentation, like sketches or maps of the layout of the site, the runway, pit area, flight lines, parking, spectators, no-fly zones, and an area where the emergency services are located. Also a basic safety plan: what happens if there is a fire? What happens if the pilot of a full-size aircraft declares an emergency and has to land? How is this communicated to the organisers and participants on the ground? For the model flying; is there an adequate safety margin, and a getaway plan in case of engine failures? For general emergencies, is there an assembly point? Please note that the RAASA lead times as stated above, will have to be longer since the application has to be considered first by the SAMAA compliance sub-committee (headed by SAMAA vice-chairman Johan Groenewald) before being lodged with RAASA. If the event is a simple fly-in for SAMAA members only, with no displays, and no spectators, (i.e. not a public event), RAASA assists with a NOTAM, provided the application is received more than 30 days before the event. This requires an application form with all relevant supporting documentation and plans, including landowners permission, the local authorities letter of approval (depending on who the airfield belongs to). If there are full-size operations, RAASA will require a letter of consent, in that other airfield users have been consulted, and have no objections to the event taking place. Demonstrations, Exhibitions, Displays These events are usually as a result of an invitation by a public organisation, to entertain the public with model flying at a church fete, school bazaar, or other similar event. Flying is limited to park flying-types and novelty aircraft, that are capable of being flown in restricted spaces. A minimum of a SAMAA Silver rating is required, and it is strongly advised that only pilots who have the necessary experience and skill, are allowed to participate in flying, since there is public present and the risk of an incident or accident is high. 3D Helicopter displays and events Following a recent incident where a 3D helicopter display nearly ended in disaster and a member of the public was injured, it was decided by the SAMAA management committee to place a moratorium on all 3D helicopter public displays, events, and competitions, until such time as a formal SIG is established and accepted, with a practical safety code. Originally, the 3D fliers broke away from the Helicopters South Africa (helicopter precision aerobatics) SIG, but it soon became apparent that there were diverging opinions and interests, and the SIG never became operational. The SMC would be seen to be extremely irresponsible to allow this activity to continue, if there are no safety measures in place, and a national group willing to accept responsibility for this activity.
Chairman’s Report
r ID numbe member SAMAAero Club of SA h c a e r o f A
from the A M A A database uirement It is a req member on the S Please log in, that everyave an ID number. other details must h r ID, and check ffice, add you tact the S A M A A o n o . c 9 r O 67 011-973-3
Manager unfortunately still has to spend many hours following up to obtain this information. Please support us in this process and forward your ID number with your renewal to the SAMAA office. I find the opposition from one or two members to this rather amusing as they refuse to give their ID numbers to the SAMAA which is an organisation “owned” by the members, acting in the best interests of the members. However, they are more than happy to provide all their personal details to doctors, hospitals, banks, cellular companies, etc. who we know actually sell their clients’ information and databases commercially. Very recently Mr Bob Skinner published the first edition of the SAMAA News for this year and I would like to congratulate him on this magnificent piece of work. The newsletter has become a very relevant source of information directly linked to our organisation. As you might have noticed, there are many reports on club visits and I thank our newly-appointed Club Representative, Mr Boet Denysschen, who jumped in shortly after joining the SMC and started visiting clubs and produced relevant reports. This is part of the shift of focus onto SAMAA clubs. Our development officer, Mr Ludwig Steyn has also excelled in his endeavours to visit clubs and events, especially in the Western Cape. Unfortunately, we bid him farewell as he has completed his maximum term on the SMC. On behalf of all the members, I would like to thank him for his efforts and the positive and constructive manner in which he dealt with all matters. Our Special Interest Group Chairman, Mr Herman Weber, has resigned due to a shift of recreational interest. I would also like to thank him for the period that he served and it was an absolute pleasure to work with him. The position has not been filled yet but I will stand in for the SIG chair until such time as the position has been filled. The SMC has also decided to include the SIG Chairmen in the SMC meetings as we believe that can add more value to our organisation. Both committees will maintain their independence, but meeting together could save a lot of time and eliminate having to duplicate communication and will eradicate misunderstandings. Johan Groenewald took up the position of Vice Chairman and also looks after the portfolio of Compliance. Johan has a very successful corporate background and I have shared many years with Johan on the SAMJA committee. I am confident that Johan will support the committee with his knowledge and experience in the management world. Welcome, Johan.
to the AGM, 31 March 2016 Marthinus JF Potgieter Dear members and guests It is an honour for me to report on all the matters relating to our wonderful organisation since our last Annual General Meeting in June 2015. On 31 December 2015 we concluded our first January to December financial year, and therefore our Audited Financial Statements reflect for a normal period of 12 months. Our last financial statements were only based on a ninemonth period as we changed our financial year from end of March to end of December every year. I believe that our financial status is very sound and healthy and it will be further discussed during the presentation of the financials. I would like to thank and applaud Juanita Smith for her dedication as Treasurer of the SAMAA and the support that I enjoy from her. I am sure that I speak on behalf of all SAMAA members when I say “Thank You” and we really appreciate what you do for us. I would also like to commend Danie Crauwcamp and his staff from the auditing firm and thank them for their support with the change of the financial year and other relevant issues. While I am reporting on administrative issues, the SAMAA Management Committee (SMC) has decided to appoint a full time office assistant to support and assist our General Manager, Mr Bob Skinner. We were hoping to make this appointment before the AGM but due to News Letter, AGM and Combined Power Nationals preparation we decided to make the appointment only from 1 May 2016 as we still have one interview to conduct and we would like the General Manager to have time on hand to welcome and train the incumbent assistant. As all members have been previously informed, the SAMAA needs each and every member's ID number to renew membership. The latter has been announced and communicated widely to the membership. The General
Last, but definitely not least, I would like to welcome Mr Daniel Ralefeta to the SMC with the portfolio of Special Projects. Daniel is also a veteran SAMAA member and has shared in many special projects in the past. Daniel also serves on the Aero Club Board and manages the Transformation portfolio. I believe that we can enjoy a lot of support and wisdom from Daniel and look forward to working with him especially with upcoming events like AAD 2016. Our members excel on many fronts of our sport and I would like to congratulate Mr Johan Ehlers on his nomination as the F4 sub committee chair at CIAM. Mr Ehlers is currently our official FAI representative and besides attending the CIAM plenary meetings annually he will now also attend the AGM. This is a massive asset to the SAMAA and I would like to congratulate him and assure him of all the support from the SMC. Mr Ehlers was also appointed as the chief static judge for the F4 scale world championships to take place later this year in Romania. Well done, Johan! We also recently saw the launch of our new SAMAA website. I think it is a big improvement as an information tool as members of the SMC and the SAMAA office will manage it. Please feel free to offer relevant information and news to be published on the website. I have to highlight that this is work in progress and we plan many more features to be added. I have in a previous report thanked John Godwin for all the years that he managed and maintained our previous website; thank you, John, you are one of the SAMAA stalwarts. Also thank you to Boet Denysschen for all the hours spent loading information. Safety at clubs remains a priority for the SMC and I recently reported on the importance of safety officers at clubs. We do not fly at the SAMAA but rather at clubs and therefore safety is every member's responsibility. With the shift of focus more towards clubs, we will also share more information on compliance with the clubs. Most of you will be aware that Part 101 of the
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 18
and illegal commercial operation of any form of radio control air vehicle as it is not part of a recreational organisation and we can not support or protect such members. During the last year we have read about many air space infringements by drones locally and internationally. This is a highly irregular practice and places the lives of hundreds of people traveling by air in danger. If you are aware of members operating equipment outside our rules and regulations, please report such operations to the SAMAA office. The technological explosion that took place due to the immense interest in drones, also gave birth within the SAMAA to a new Special Interest Group, namely FlyFPV SA. Many might be aware of this new activity/discipline that has taken the world by storm. I must congratulate the chairman, Ridwaan Ebrahim, and his very active, motivated, and competent committee for the fashion in which they have integrated into the SAMAA and are taking the discipline forward.
The foregoing is Marthinus Potgieter’s AGM report, which was proposed, seconded, and accepted by the members present at the AGM. Johan Ehlers noticed a small mistake and supplied this correction to the original report: Our members excel on many fronts of our sport, and I would like to congratulate Mr Johan Ehlers on his election as the F4 (Scale) Sub Committee Chairman at the CIAM. Mr Ehlers is currently our official representative to the CIAM, and besides attending the annual CIAM Plenary Meeting, he will now also attend the CIAM Bureau Meetings which are the management committee meetings of the CIAM.
27 April - 1 May 2017 SAMAA
NATIONALS! PC Pelser Airport, Klerksdorp
In the last year we have seen very few issues with the day-to-day business of the SAMAA. However, one problem keeps on coming up, and that is the organising of Fly-ins, Model Airshows, and Special Air Events. Organisers, club committees, and members leave the compliance side of such events until the last moment and then get unhappy if the SAMAA office informs them that they do not comply with all the requirements to host such an event. Our friends at RAASA have bent over backwards on many occasions to try to accommodate such events on short notice, but it is not acceptable conduct on the side of event organisers. If members are not sure what the requirements for an event that they organise are, it would be wise to contact the SAMAA office at least two to three months in advance and explain to the General Manager what their intentions are and he will advise them accordingly on what processes to follow. I must thank Mr Pierre Laubsher and Mr Neil de Lange for their unfailing willingness to support the SAMAA in all matters. During recent interaction with RAASA it became apparent that our Manual of Procedures is rather out-dated, contradictory, and in some cases very cumbersome and irrelevant. The SMC, under the guidance of Mr Johan Groenewald, our compliance officer, has begun to rewrite our Manual of Procedures. There has also been a dispute about the ownership of the Manual of Procedures and the rewriting will resolve that issue, too. The mindless onslaught on the SAMAA Chairman, General Manager, and Committee by a few individuals has continued. I am no longer prepared to allow these individuals to hijack productive time of the SMC to defend fabricated accusations brought against the SMC and its members. I have responded to these members with a rather stern written notification, as I believe they are bringing the SAMAA into disrepute, and therefore the Aero Club of South Africa too. Currently I am in consultation with advisory organisations to formulate a disciplinary process against such members, with the aim of terminating their membership. Early this year, we saw Mr Richard Becker take up the position of General Manager at the Aero Club, replacing Mr Kev Storie. We do not really need to welcome Richard as he has been a member of the SAARF/SAMAA before as he personally participated in aeromodelling and has a very good perspective on our organisation. It would be appropriate to congratulate Richard on his appointment and we look forward to working with him. I must single out our General Manager, Mr Bob Skinner, and thank him profusely for his dedication to our organisation. He basically devotes almost all his time - twenty four seven – to the SAMAA and is held in very high regard by the majority of members. Thank you, Bob! We really appreciate what you do for us and your efforts do not go unnoticed. In the same breath, I would like to thank Bob's spouse, Marietjie, for the huge effort that she is putting in at the moment assisting Bob in the planning and preparation of our upcoming Combined Power Nationals. I am sure it will be as huge a success as in the past, due largely to Bob and Marietjie's efforts. Thank you to the wonderful members who make up our organisation. At the end of the day it is all about you, the members, and a special thank you to all those who serve in many ways to build and promote the SAMAA. I look forward to a very positive and constructive year ahead working with the newly ratified Management Committee.
• Control Line • Precision Aerobatics • Pylon Racing • Helicopter • Large Scale Aerobatics • Multi-rotor FPV racing
• Jets • Fun Fly • Scale • Multi-Rotor FPV flying • Jets
The 2016 Combined SAMAA Power Nationals is open for participation to all paid-up SAMAA members (specific SIG membership waived for Nats). Large areas available for simultaneous flying of several disciplines. All flying in prime locations...no disciplines hidden away. Sharing of judges/officials. Catering on site. Practice flying at Klerksdorp Radio Flyers. Plenty of shelter, camping, and accommodation in town. Camping also at KRF. More details available soon!
! s t a N t a e r g e h t f o t r Be pa
More information from
Bob Skinner - 011-973-3679 Johan Groenewald - 079-496-9228 Bulletin 1 soon available from the SAMAA office, or from your SIG chairman. Full details of accommodation options and fast-food, restaurants, shops listed.
GATSKOP show! Airs
Permit no. XXXXXX
Henley Aeromodellers & Family Entertainment
SATURDAY
3 DECEMBER
• Airshow • Food stalls • Flea market
Contact Boet Denysschen
082-449-4623
or Marius Vosloo
083-311-7030
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 19
2016 SA Gliding Nationals
Text by Jan Sime. Photos by Rudi Venter Alan Smith launching the Maxa 4M of Ian Sime. Look at the effort required!
Cloud and wind - lots of wind. This was the opening overture of the 2016 national championships held at the Greenfield East Model Soarers (GEMS) close to Bapsfontein in South Africa, in April.
As the weather was challenging in the early morning, the battle lines were drawn between the F3J gliders of Alan Smith and Ian Sime and the F3B machines of Craig and Michelle Goodrum.
As 2016 is a F3J world championship year, the open class flew to these rules; a 10 minute duration task in 10 minutes of working time. It is thus impossible to get a full ten minute flight as time on the winch is at least 1 second, and only the very brave, or very foolish, attempt to land in the last second of working time. Round two saw the competition opening up to allow Chris Adrain, Peter Moore and Craig Goodrum to grab top scores.
F3B and F3J in formation approach for landing
After some scratching and heroics on the landing spots, honours were grabbed by the F3J contingent of Alan and Ian with a perfect 1000 score each, compared to a total of 1975 by husband and wife team of Michelle and Craig.
Juanita Smith and Robert Leadbitter also crept up the leader board.
SAM A A News Issue 1 of 2016 - Page 20
Round 3 saw perfect scores from Michelle, Chris and Alan with Ian only managing 994 despite this impressive landing sequence.A buzzer sounds to signal the end of working time and if your glider has not touched before this you forfeit your landing points, potentially 100 if you land within 20 centimetres (about 8 inches). You are also penalised by 30 points being deducted from your flying time.
The top five were now solidly entrenched and fighting it out for the number one position. The only F3J rule not enforced was for two-man towing teams; 150 metre winch lines were used.
At the end of day 2 the weather had moderated and turned out quite warm so, the last round saw no fewer than five perfect scores (1000 points) and five more over 900 points.
Slippery machine - Fosa F3B slicing through the air to make it back for the landing. Gordon Browne managed a perfect score in round 4, and two other back markers,Shaun Mileson and Jan Sime did the same in round 5.
Thanks also to Rudi Venter who, despite putting his back out, shot most of the pictures seen here. More photos and videos can be seen on the South African F3J Team Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/saf3jteam/ and on the Silverton Gliding Club (SGC) Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SilvertonGlidingClub/ Congratulations to all the pilots who braved the elements and turned in some good scores. Below are the final results.
Chris Adrian waiting to launch the Supra Expert F3J belonging to Mark Shepherd.
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 21
Ficksburg Braai & Fly
Small section of the pit/parking area, which is on either side of the taxiway.
Boet Denysschen “Just waiting for one of your aeries to fall in my camp!”
On 12th and 13th March, the third annual Ficksburg Braai and Fly weekend was held at the local airfield, about 7km out to town towards Fouriesburg. There are six active locals flying models at the venue. The runway is 2.5km long and about 20m wide. The taxiway is at the end of the runway and is used as a pit area with trailers and aircraft parked on either side of the taxi way. Landing models from the long side of the runway is a bit tricky, as the centre of the runway is in a hollow, thus making an approach lower than eye-level, and then having to land on an uphill. The run-off on the left is nice smooth-cut grass. If you land from the left you land downhill, and if too fast, the plane disappears down the hill.
Well-maintained facilities of the Ficksburg airfield.
The scenery around the airfield is breathtaking, and beats what some of us have to look at at flying fields in and around our cities. When we arrived at the flying site on Friday afternoon, we were welcomed by all the organizers, who were hard at work setting up tents for Saturday evening's braai, as well as for some shade. A large hangar was made available for aircraft storage over the weekend. Their attention to detail was good, with portable toilets supplied with lights for the evening, water, soap, and towels were also provided outside for after use. The toilets were maintained and cleaned throughout the day which certainly made them a bit more pleasant than the usual conveniences.
Deceptive conditions...requires careful thought upon landing.
The pilots from Gauteng and Bloemfontein departed to their guest houses for the evening. The town boasts some very good bed and breakfast establishments. After a good rest and a hearty breakfast on Saturday morning, all left for the airfield to meet fellow pilots, some old friends, and we made many more new friends. The weather was excellent, with clear skies, very hot temperatures, and with a slight cross-wind. Flying got underway early and all had fun. There was a variety of planes flown throughout the day. There were minimal spectators as it was more organised for pilots to get together and have a good time. A total of 23 pre-event entries were received by the organisers of which four did not arrive. The manne from Welkom started their trip with car troubles, ended the day with car troubles, but nevertheless arrived late on Saturday, in time to join in the evenings activities. Flying stopped after sunset, with Liewe Heksie doing some night flying on her broom with the moon as a background...very eerie. All pilots, helpers, and their families, as well as those families and friends of the organisers, congregated around the fires where we were treated to a very delicious sheep on the spit, with some delicious side dishes. There was background music playing throughout the evening, which encouraged some couples to get up and have a dance. After supper, all sat around the bomas, discussing an excellent day’s flying and appreciating all that the organisers had done to make this a very special event indeed. Flying continued on Sunday again, with good weather until around lunch time when most started packing up and getting ready for the trip home. Overall it was an excellent weekend. On behalf of all the pilots and their families, I want to thank the organisers for their hospitality and friendship. I will certainly be back next year and will encourage more visitors to attend, as this is one fly-in not to be missed. All events have their highs and lows when someone breaks a plane, fortunately not too many with one landing in the mielies and another landing in the lion's den….. YES you read right, there is a large open-air enclosure, with lions in it. So, if you crash there, they go in with a bakkie to collect the remains of your plane, hopefully before the lions take it totally apart. So I will strongly urge all of those who have the desire to travel to other venues, to look out for next year's dates and make a plan to be there. You will not be sorry if you choose Ficksburg! SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 22
Lime Acres Fly-in
The citizens of Lime Acres do not often get the opportunity to see model aircraft in action, and the annual Lime Acres Fly-in is always enjoyed.
Boet Denysschen The huge Decathlon flown by Ian Mandy.
The fourth annual Lime Acres Fly-in was held over the weekend of 30th April to 2nd May. Lime Acres is a small but very pristine mining town in the northern Cape, situated between Barclay West, Kuruman, and Postmasburg, about 140km west of Kimberley.
Pit/parking area is set up on both sides of the taxiway. Easy access and movement onto the runway.
The event is organised in conjunction with the Kimberley Model Aircraft Club and the Finsch Diamond mine, who is the main sponsor. Flying takes place on the mine’s private airstrip which is approximately 1.2km long by 20m wide. The main taxiway/apron gets used as parking area for aircraft and trailers as well as pit area. The runway is situated in a east-westerly direction which means the sun is behind your back for the biggest part of the day. The airfield has electricity, water, as well as clean toilet facilities. There is a large hangar which gets used as storage facility for aircraft at night. The local community flocks to the field in large numbers to come and watch the model aircraft fly. An entry fee is charged at the gate for spectators as well as for pilots. These funds are donated to the local animal shelter to care for stray dogs and cats in the area. All pilots, helpers and families stay at the local IMPI hotel. On Saturday evening a banquet is held and sponsored for all guests by the Finsch Diamond Mine. A prize giving is held prior to the serving of supper where each and every pilot receives some sort of gift. The prize giving and gift is all based on a fun type of thing, which is cleverly thought out throughout the Saturday by Owen Smith, who originally gave birth to this event. Owen is a retired Finsch Diamond Mine employee who now lives in Kleinmond in the Cape, but still travels up to mastermind the event. He comes up with the most strangest reasons for the prize that is given to each competitor. The event was attended by 25 pilots, family, and friends, coming from Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Upington, Kimberley, Kuruman, and even one recently-converted Capetonian attended the weekend. The majority of pilots arrived on Friday afternoon, parked their trailers, and started assembling aircraft. Saturday morning, an early pilots briefing was called, and shortly thereafter, the sky was filled with aircraft. A great variety of aircraft were in attendance, ranging from props, jets, as well as helicopters. The largest aircraft was that of Ian Mandy, flying a half-size Bellanca Decathlon. The smallest was an E-flight Bird, and Fly Beast. After the good weather conditions we experienced the week prior to the event, we were hit by a severe cold front that was sent up Gauteng-way by the Capetonians. Saturday morning was bitterly cold and overcast, but by lunch time it started clearing up, and as it usually goes with fly-ins, the Monday when all of us had to pack up and go back home, it turned out to be a perfect flying day!
One of the gifts prepared by Owen Smith for the prize giving.
A very good camaraderie was had between all pilots, with all displaying a very high level of flying skill and all flying was done in a very safe manner. Only one aircraft casualty was experienced throughout the weekend, where the undercarriage was ripped out of a jet upon landing. A commitment was made by the Finsch mine manager that they will fully support the 2017 Lime Acres Fly-in, which is likely to take place around the same time in May next year. See you there!
Saturday evening banquet is always well-attended and very enjoyable.
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 23
Club news and club reports
Die plaas is net buitekant die dorp aan die suidekant geleë: S26 10'03" E028 39'32" O
O
Ons het die voorreg van ‘n dam by die aanloopbaan wat ‘n geleentheid bied vir float fly. Die dam is ongeveer 500m lank en 350m breed. Ons het al verskeie groepe pilots hier gehad om te kom vlieg... ‘n fly-in met naburige vliegvelde was gereël in 2010 en 2011, en ‘n float fly in 2012.
Boet Denysschen Snoopy’s Squadron - Krugersdorp I am Geoffrey Dale, the chairman of Snoopy’s Squadron club for the last five years. Gerrit van Deventer is the Vice Chairman. The club has 65 members consisting of 4 honoury, 16 Senior and six junior members.
Omrede ons op ‘n geregistreerde vliegveld vlieg, is ons altyd op die uitkyk vir lugverkeer. Hulle kry natuurlik voorkeur, asook die eienaar van die plaas. Ons beoog om verskeie naweek-kuiervliegdae hierdie jaar te reël.
There is a club house with one toilet and washing up area. Municipal water is supplied. There is a very large shade port adjacent to the club house which is used for catering and meetings. There is a large braai area which is also under a shade port. The pit area for both fixed wing and helis is very large with numerous shade ports, concrete tables and chairs. The main runway runs North, South and is 100m long. A 80 meter runway joins it running North West to South East as well as a short 40 meter runway running East to West. All runways are constructed out of concrete and there is a very large clear way around all runways. There is 4 heli pads with also a large clear way. Every year we host the GAA league tournament with the occasional MHSA (helicopter) competition. The club was the official practice field for the American F3A team for the world championships held in August 2013. The club is now also going to host the Large Scale Aerobatic competitions, 1st one to be held on the 4th September. A large selection of planes and helis are flown at the club and Day visitors are allowed. Our next club event is on the 5th November which is a Day / Night fly in combined with a fire works " Guy Forks" evening.
Daar word verskeie soorte vliegtuie hier gevlieg, soos Skaal, Akrobaties, Sport, Helis, Watervlieg, en met ons laaste kuier, was daar selfs drie turbinejets wat gevlieg het. Dagbesoekers is baie welkom; moet net vooraf reël met ons. Kan vlieg vir ‘n minimale landingsfooi. Gerrie Lindeque. Sel: 082-907-7492 E-pos: gj.lindeque@yahoo.com Delmas Radio Flyers is situated just outside of town just across the railway line. The club is operating from a private airfield 1.2km x 8m tar runway. The runway runs adjacent to the farm dam which gets used occasionally for float flying. The club is used by only a handful of modellers. On the side of the runway, the pit and shelter area is surrounded by nice green mowed lawn, with a covered area, concrete tables and chairs, electricity, and water. Toilets are available about 500m away at the hangars. We went out there for a day visit with some invited pilots from Johannesburg, Nigel, and Pretoria, and had a good days flying. We made a lot of new friends and enjoyed their hospitality. The sun is behind your back, the flight line is open, so you can have good fun all day long. In the afternoon a fire gets lit and all enjoy a good old braai in the sun with a nice view over the farm lands and fresh air. Come night time, one does not want to go home after such a lovely relaxing day. If you are in the area and want to go and visit make arrangements with Gerrie on 082-907-7492.
Regards, Geoffrey Dale Ficksburg Flyboys This new club has the Ficksburg airfield as its base, situated 7km to the northeast side of town, towards Fouriesburg, adjacent to the R26. The field is owned by Anita Hughes. The runway is 1200m long by 20m wide, tar with a very good surface. Flying takes place right at the end of the runway, where the turn-off is to the terminal building and hangars. The approach from the east is rather tricky with the runway running uphill. The run-off at the end of the field is nice grass. The view from the airfield is stunning, with the Drakensburg mountain range surrounding it. You have to be careful when landing that you do not land in the lion enclosure... guaranteed you will not get your plane back. The pilots have an LOP, signed by all stakeholders, stipulating the operating procedures on the airfield. There are currently four pilots operating models from the airfield. The modellers are currently in the process of applying to SAMAA to have the airfield registered as a model airfield. The pilots who fly there, are very passionate about their hobby and love spending time with fellow modellers.
Small shelter is adequate for club’s needs.
Lang aanloopbaan is goed geskik vir jets.
Over the last three years they have organised a yearly fly-in event. Pilots from various parts of SA have attended and made use of the hospitality that was laid on by the local community. Contact person is Johan van Greunen, 083-578-5321, and he may be reached on johan.vangreunen@dcs.gov
Pragtige wateroppervlak wat goed benut word vir float-flying.
FOR SALE View of the parking and pit area at the recent Fly and Braai event at Ficksburg.
Delmas Radiovlieëniers Ons bestaan reeds tien jaar op Delmas, op ‘n plaas suid van die dorp. Ons ledetal is nege, waarvan vier aktief is. Ons het ‘n skadu-afdakkie met ‘n sementvloer, met tafels en stoele vir sowat 15 gaste. Daar is krag en water. Die toilette is ongelukkig so 500m weg van die afdakkie af... drie toilette met ‘n wasbak, maar geen stortgeriewe. Die aanloopbaan is 1km lank by 8m wyd, met ‘n gladde oppervlak. Geen taxiway, en ons moet die vliegtuie dra na die baan, en onder start. SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 24
Good condition engines and kits (power and gliders) circa. 1980's (vintage & collectables), well priced in ZAR according to current country of origin prices. For all Cox engine enthusiasts: I have a comprehensive collection of Cox engines and spares for sale. E-mail Ed at psi_emeb@yahoo.co.uk for price lists. Prices negotiable.
TEKSA Radio Control Model Club T.R.C.M.C. known as Teksa Radio Control Model Club, under the chairmanship of Johan van Vuuren, and vice-chairman Herman Barnard. Johan has been chairman for the last three years. The club has 35 members of which 25 are active. “TEKSA” is Trichard, Evander, Kinross, and Secunda.
Barnstormers, Kempton Park The current chairman is Danie Potgieter, who is very well known throughout the modeling fraternity as a very competitive pilot. He was elected in the chair from the beginning of April 2016. Vice-chairman Evert Scholtz who has also been in the hobby for many years.
The club has flush toilets with hot water showers, shaded pavilion for spectators, and part of the pit area is covered in shade.
Barnstormers is a very active flying club, with in the region of 200 members. The club is situated on the R25 Bronkhorstspruit road, plus minus 4km east from the R21 intersection.
The club is situated just off the N17 travelling from Johannesburg on the right hand side at the Trichard/Secunda turnoff. The club has been at these premises for plus minus 21 years. The runway is 110m x 6m tar, recently resurfaced with very good grass run-offs either side, as well as the ends. The club has hosted various small fly-ins as well as small club competitions. The club is intending to host a yearly fly/airshow similar to which was held on the weekend of 9th April 2016, which was a huge success. The club members will also do some travelling to visit other clubs. The club is mostly fun fly orientated, flying all types of aircraft with some members taking part in serious competitions. Day visitors are welcome, with no landing fee charge, as long as you are a fully paid-up SAMAA member.
The club has three tar runways, ranging from 250m, 150m and 100m. The club has been involved in hosting various national competitions as well as various monthly competitions. Barnstormers has also hosted some very successful air shows as well as Warbirds days. They have a very good line up of events planned for the remainder of the year. The club has male and female toilets with running water, as well as a large covered roof area. An enclosed braai area, as well as a lock-up double-storey area that normally is used for catering, and a control tower. The club has a recently-refurbished control line circle, catering for a small but active group of CL fliers, flying most weekends. FPV Quad-racing is also very active at the club. Day visitors are welcome to come and spend a day with Barnstormers members. For further info, please contact Danie Potgieter 082-875-8228.
Person to contact is Johan van Vuuren 084-500-2063.
Large, open spaces at one of South Africa’s biggest and busiest clubs. Great facilities with smooth grass run-offs.
Henley Airfield and Family Entertainment The club/site was previously known as Henley Aeromodellers. The airfield is located just south-east of Henley-on-Klip, on the extension of Ewelme road, then onto the Vaal Dam road (same road as entrance to Midvaal Raceway). The original Henley Aeromodellers was disbanded about three years ago, and the property was purchased by Marius Vosloo. The property was subdivided from the main farm, and re-registered for an airfield. The airfield is run by Marius and his team of gardeners and cleaners. The facilities are of top-class with two tarred runways of over 300m with beautiful run-off areas on either side of the runways. Beautiful shaded pit area for many aircraft to park underneath. There is a very large hangar for assembly and disassembly of aircraft, and there is a thatched lapa which is used for the family and pilots to sit under and enjoy their braai. There are clean male and female toilets. The airfield also boasts a swimming pool, and a separate runway/flying site for helicopters to fly at as this does not cause any clashes with fixed wing activity.
Kimberley Model Aircraft Club The KMAC moved to its present location in 1995. It is situated at the John Weston Airfield, 5km out of town, on the Griquastad road. The John Weston airfield originated when Kimberley Gliding Club was established in the late 1970s. In 2015 the Glider club was disbanded, and they generously handed the hanger, club house, tractor, etc., over to the KMAC. The clubhouse consists of a bar, hall, and kitchen, and male and female toilets. The current chairman is Tjaart Van der Walt, and he has held this position for the past five years. The club caters for all types of RC flying and is in the process of upgrading the runways for jets. Currently there are 28 members, of which 16 are active on most weekends. Instructors are available for any newcomer wanting to start with RC flying. There is a tar cross runway over the old hard-circle, with the north-south runway being 150m long and the east-west runway 130m long.
The airfield is suitable for all types of aircraft, especially jets. The airfield has around 60 members, and day visitors are welcome seven days a week, with a landing fee, used to employ the resident groundsman. Once a year, they host a fun day in the form of a fly-in, as well as a flea market and various other attractions. This is normally hosted around December, close to Christmas as kids from a school/orphanage are brought there for a days entertainment. Each child gets served with a lunch as well as a Christmas present from Father Christmas. You can contact Marius on 083-311-7030. Aerial view of the Kimberley Model Aircraft Club facility.
Entrance to Henley Model Aircraft and Family Entertainment.
Enough hard-surface to land in almost any direction!
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 25
Outdoor X. Malonjeni Guest Farm
Jacques van Zyl, and members of Mount Ridge RC Club Aerial view of the display area occupied by the members of Mount Ridge and other individuals who participated in the demonstration.
Paint-ball damage!
Sunday morning everyone was up and about early, in order to get ready for the second and final day of Outdoor X. Once again after 09:00, thousands of people entered through the gates to enjoy the great weather and the expo, and the show became very busy once again.
Some of the models being unpacked.
The Outdoor X show, this year on 28 and 29 May, is probably one of the largest outdoor shows in Africa, with 30 000 visitors visiting the show over the two days. The Mount Ridge RC Club, near Falcon Ridge in Vereeniging, was privileged to be part of the 2016 show. We had approximately 10 of our own club members, and approximately 15 helicopter, drone, and fixed-wing pilots from neighbouring RC clubs in Gauteng, doing demonstration flights and promoting our hobby. On Saturday the show started at 9:00 and was filled with flying of all sorts of RC aircraft. We had Roland, Neville, Justin, and Luke with their FPV Quad Racing drones visiting for the day, and entertaining the spectators with their thrilling on-board cameras while racing around the track and through the obstacles on the course.
Jarred Norman from Wonderfontein Radio Flyers opened the show for the day with one of Oom Rick van Belkum's old timer bi-planes. Unfortunately the old bird clipped one of the very nearby low overhead powerlines when doing a beautiful low fly past, and was damaged enough to be grounded for the rest of the day. However, this did not clamp down on the day's flying activities, and the day was once again filled with demonstration flights, from electric planes to 3D helis. We were also fortunate to have the reigning SA 3D helicopter Senior Masters champion, Danie Sauermann, visiting us and doing a couple of breathtaking demonstrations with both his Nitro Goblin heli, and his competition brushless motor Goblin.
Our club also gave the public the opportunity to shoot at flying-wings with paintball guns. This turned out to be a great crowd pleaser with some of the young ones showing their accuracy and talent. We also had the Junior 3D SA helicopter champion, Awie van Wyk, in action, doing a couple of demonstration flights with his Goblin and entertaining the spectators. The rest of the day was filled with electric planes such as the Acro Wot, Wot 4, Sky Surfers, and even an RC Paraglider being flown by the pilots. The RC parachute team of Pieter Mulder also joined us on Saturday, doing a number of parachute drops, and showing their skills to land their parachutes as close as possible to us. The show closed at 17:00, and some of us camping at Malonjeni, went back to our caravans and tents and enjoyed a nice braai, and some made adjustments to their aircraft.
“I left my mark on this aerie!�
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 26
The Mount Ridge pilots also did a mass “Sky Surfer� limbo flight with about five Sky Surfers and two of the flying wings joining in and flying through the limbo poles. Needless to say, there was a bit of controlled rubbing and bumping going on, but all in good taste and sportsmanship, making it even more attractive to the members of the public (all planes did make it back home in one piece...) Danie also closed off the RC demonstrations at the Outdoor X 2016 with a thrilling grand finale in front of the VIP's of the Outdoor X and its organisers. The organisers of the show were so impressed by our RC demonstrations during the two days, with Danie just putting the cherry on top, that they have already invited us to next year's show with an even bigger and better show in mind. Mount Ridge RC club would also like to make use of this opportunity to firstly thank all the pilots from our own club, as well as all the visiting pilots from neighbouring clubs for the dedication and professional way in which everybody contributed and participated to make this show as successful as it was. We are truly proud to be associated with our hobby and all the fellow pilots that share our passion. We hope to see all of you again at next year's Outdoor X show. Fly safely!
A model powered-paraglider entertaining the public.
General view of the activities at Malonjeni. One of the aircraft on display at Malonjeni.
Very large model aircraft and South African regulations
Two of the model parachutists by Pieter Mulder and his squadron.
In the last few years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of large and extra large model aircraft in South Africa. Some of them are available commercially, and in many cases, they are from reputable manufacturers, and there is very little doubt about the build quality and structural integrity of these aircraft. Some of the heavies are scratch-built locally, and the SAMAA Manual of Procedures PO18 gives the guidelines on large model aircraft up to 25kg in weight. The Civil Aviation Technical Standards (CATS, section 24.01.2.14) states the current, legal specifications of model aircraft. The SAMAA management has requested RAASA to assist with a change to the CATS, but this is a long and arduous process.
Danie Sauermann and the organiser of the Outdoor X event, Quentin Versfeld.
We all know that the specifications are hopelessly outdated, but until there is a de jure position, rather than the current de facto position, we have to request exemption from the current regulations. Large aircraft are no more dangerous than smaller ones, and it is a known fact that they are often easier to fly. We simply have to be careful that we do not end up in a position with an accident or incident, and a lawyer starts using our own MOP in a case against the SAMAA. Those members who operate and wish to operate large aircraft outside the specifications, are encouraged to read MOP PO18, and to get in touch with the SAMAA office and the compliance sub-committee, headed by Johan Groenewald, to apply for exemption, or clarity, until the CATS are amended and published.
Danie doing a 3D display. Crowd was far to the rear, and behind a safety fence.
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 27
Middelburg Airshow 2016 Boet Denysschen On Saturday 23rd July, the Middelburg Aeroclub hosted an air show, cosponsored by Capricorn Engineering and organiser Richardt Lovett. Phillip Lewis, chairman of LOMAC in Nelspruit, has a very good relationship with the Aeroclub in Nelspruit. During their last two air shows, one earlier this year and one last year, they were given a slot during the show to fly some models. They also made use of the venue to display models and promote their event that usually happens in August. Phillip received an invite from Middelburg Aeroclub to arrange for a jet demo on the day of the show, as well as to display some aircraft. As it would not be of any significant advertising exposure for LOMAC to advertise so far from Nelspruit, the invite was extended to the local model club but they declined to do a display, and the invite was then extended to the SAMAA.
Sanjay Kana’s Futura waiting its turn to fly.
Bob Skinner, Sanjay Kana, and myself left Johannesburg around 05:00 in the morning, and were met on the highway by Stan Fincham on the way to Middelburg. Arriving at around 07:00 at the airfield, there was a hive of activity and people flocking to the air show. We were joined by Phillip and Kevin from Nelspruit as well as Corrie Coetzee from Cors-Air. We were allocated a spot next to the control tower and broadcast centre to pack out our display. We parked two trailers side-by-side with an awning for shade, and erected a chain barrier around the outer edge to keep the public at bay. Five jet aircraft, as well as a control line aerie were put out for display. Throughout the day, we had a lot of interesting passers-by asking questions. Bob took a bunch of old SAMAA newsletters and these were grabbed up by interested parties. All of us were given VIP passes which entitled us access to the VIP area which was in the hangar, where food and drinks were served for breakfast and lunch to all helpers, organisers, and pilots.
Corrie and Boet discussing the finer points of the safety briefing.
Our slot was just after 10:00 where we were allocated an 8-minute slot time to fly a demo with two jets, and a third jet on standby. Phillip marshalled his jet troops onto the edge of the runway, accompanied by a marshall with a radio, who was in contact with ATC and the air show coordinator. As we got the green light, we had two jets in the sky, and exactly eight minutes later we touched down. Corrie flew an Aviation design Super Scorpion and I flew a 2.7m Futura kindly lent to me for the demo by Sanjay Kana. Phillip had a Pilot RC Dolphin on standby. A special thanks to the organisers for this opportunity, and their hospitality, as well as to all who helped us erect our display area and for the loaned aircraft for flying and display. A good day was had by all and a lot of new friends were made. Lastly, congratulations to the organisers for a well run air show with a very nice line up of display aircraft, ranging from parachutes, aerobatic glider display, to a four-ship jet display.
Bosbok doing a fly-past while spectators snap away.
Boet’s trailer worked ideal... enough shade, area, and display room. Corrie Coetzee flew the Scorpion jet.
L-39 ZU-HIT attracted many interested spectators, with the usual questions: how much does it cost, and how fast can it fly?
Three jets in the preparation area, waiting for a slot to fly. They were moved closer to the runway once clearance had been obtained.
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 28
Western Cape Regional Round-up
adequate facilities for the storage of planes and the food stalls.
Ludwig Steyn
Louis Genade flying his 40% Breitling Extra and the 43% Super Decathlon gave the audience something to think about and Johan Kriel, from AMSRCC, (Langebaan) whom has just that weekend been made an official display pilot as well as Danie Bernardo, (HRF) whom has been a display pilot for some time also gave a spectacular performance and did some super formation flying.
Wynland Modelvliegklub I attended the Wynland (Worcester) fly-inn held the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd April. The Friday (21st April) we had terrible weather in the Cape and heavy rain and gale force wind. Typical Cape weather and one learns to live with it! (Driving to Worcester and crossing the Theewaterskloof Dam, I was astonished to see just how empty the dam actually was. Some say the lowest water level in dozens of years) I arrived about 07:30 at the flying field and had to negotiate between the puddles and mud to find parking. A fresh wind, quite chilly, was blowing and I immediately donned warmer clothing. After officially entering for the event I found a better spot to park and assembled my plane. The pilots started arriving en masse and soon all available parking were occupied. There were about 50 pilots and quite a few more helpers, wives and children. (The public was also well attended) Dirk Swanepoel, chairman of the local club, greeted all the pilots and crew during the pilot briefing and stipulated the rules and stressed the fact that safety is absolutely paramount. He asked me to open the weekend with prayer and then the flying started. I was very impressed with the organization and the enthusiasm the relatively small club achieved and must mention that each and every pilot that entered received a present. Being Worcester, and the club being Wynland, each got a bottle of very tasty wine! Bravo to the people that spent many hours canvassing and collecting donations from the businesses and farmers in the community. (None of the numerous presents were bought by the club. Everything was donated.) The weather remained rather windy and chilly for the rest of the day but that certainly did not dampen the flying and we saw some really superb planes and flying. The Father and Son team, Kobus and Pieter Stofberg of Wynland Club flew formation with Danie Bernardo of HRF and seeing it was the first time ever that this duo flew together, I was quite impressed. The 'flamgatte' were well presented and John Bowles, Michael Basson, Gareth Roberts, and Craig Robinson, to name only a few, were outperforming one another and really entertained the crowd with some spectacular flying. (John flew his A10 twin turbine again and that is some awfully nice plane) We also saw a huge, (almost two meters), electric powered “Paper Plane” and a 3D figure, also electric powered, (full scale replica of Charles Stephans' son Donovan) flying rather well in the windy conditions. (Charles did some impressive knight flying as well with the 'Paper plane') Sunday saw a remarkable improvement of the weather and some nice sunny and windless conditions. There was also more spectators due to the improved weather. Only a few pilots remained and flying continued until about 12:00. Dirk had agreed with the Worcester Gliding Club, who's premises they used, to have all model flying done by that time so these guys could have their facilities back. A big thank you to them for closing their field for this event. Walker Bay Model RC Club (Hermanus) The following weekend, from Friday 29th April until Monday 2nd May Walker Bay RC Club hosted their fly-inn. (I attended the Saturday and Sunday.) To start of I must mention that I have never seen an event of such magnitude and perfect flying extravaganza as this club has put up. Steven and Matthew Bishop, the father and son team from the UK (Red Arrows Synchro Formation Flying Team from the UK) flying massive turbine powered Hawks, Martin Pickering, the European 3D champion and Fergus Lynn, the Asian 3D champion, performed exceptionally well and gave flying displays that absolutely boggles' the mind. I have never, not even in my wildest dreams, imagined anything even closely similar to these guys.
It would be impossible to name all the participants in the Walker Bay event and to send photo's would take up all my, and your, data for the next 6 months. Please have a look on Facebook and you will find hundreds of excellent photo's. Once again I must congratulate Walker Bay RC Club for the spectacular show and thank them for the excellent sleeping accommodations they arranged for me. Robertson Model Flying Club The weekend of the 21st and 22nd May the Robertson Model Flying Club hosted their annual fly-inn and it was extremely well attended. It was the second time I attended the Robertson event and once again I was surprised by the number of pilots and planes that took part. I think that Robertson can definitely boast with the most pilots attending af all the clubs thus far this year. Once again the 'Turbine' pilots attended in large numbers and and it appears as Robertson is preferred by most pilots. The reason being probably the excellent weather and the fact that we are flying of the Municipal runway. (Long and lovely) The pilots of the large and 'very' large (and noisy) fraternity (Extras, Caps, Ultimate's and so on) and other planes gave an excellent account of their ability and kept the audience on the edge of their seats. I was happy to see that there were a huge number of ordinary, everyday planes doing their 'thing.' Here I meen the Stick's and other scale planes and also a lot of electric powered models. I was happy to see Marc Wolffe attending and flying a 40 size plane like only Marc can fly it. I have not seen him for quite some time. The camping facility at Robertson is excellent and all the arrangements were in place and also the local population supported the event in huge numbers. Robertson is definitely on my list to attent annually. Western Province Model Aerobatic Association I am happy to announce that the Western Province Sport Council has accepted the WPMAA as a full member of the council. This was totally due to the dedication of Rodney Potter. He started the drive for us to be affiliated last year and through perseverance and dedication he has succeeded. Well done Rodney. We are now officially a Federation in the Western Province Sport Council. This means that our pilots can now compete for Western Province colors, subject to certain criteria, and so can the judges! The countdown for obtaining WP colors started the beginning of 2016 and the final qualification will be the Western Province Championship due on the 21st August. The presenting of colors will take place at the conclusion of the S A Masters in October 2016. Thank you Rodney and, I must mention, the dedication of all the pilots and judges, competing in the 7 monthly events of 2016.
At one stage Fergus overcooked his “low level rolls” a bid and hit his right wing quite hard on the ground. Everyone thought that was the end of his show, but no, he recovered, hovered in front of him, examining the damage, and continued flying. (A good ⅓ of his right wing was missing) I was doing commentary over the PA system and was wondering how long it will take Bob Skinner to point out the obvious danger. (Well, about as long as it took him to walk to the flying line.) I think that Fergus must have realized the potential danger as he landed at that stage. The organizer of this event, Terry Lester, from Walker Bay Club, and the main sponsor of this event, certainly excelled in what he has presented over a fun filled weekend. Hats off to Terry. (I was informed, confidentially, of the cost involved and it was quit an astronomical amount.) The club had put up four massive marquees tents so there was SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 29
Letter to the editor Hello Bob,
Reg Brown
Whilst I now have a new SAMAA membership number, I have been told that there is a possibility to apply for one's old SAARF membership number (653) even if we were away from the hobby for a number of years. Is this correct? (Got distracted by life generally, microlights, and gliders for 15 years). I started radio control flying in the mid 1970's at Vaal Radio Fliers, whilst Brian Dawson was the chairman and local hobby shop owner in Vereeniging. As a novice RC pilot, I mostly flew gliders, and actively participated in the “postal” competitions and other local glider competitions, starting with a Graupner HiFly and then Graupner Cirrus, moving onto the Aquila and a number of own designs. Much later only did I progress to glow motors.
The Black Magic in flight.
The late Jack Abbot was one of my mentors; I had huge respect for the man. I still have copies of pages of the “Aeromodeller” magazine of September 1947 that Jack gave me. Therein is an exploded view of the “Black Magic” designed by Fred Hempsall. With Jack's assistance, I drew up a plan and built the Black Magic in 1974, powered by an OS Max plain-bearing motor. In fact, I still fly the model on a regular basis here in Mossel Bay. I took some small liberties with the original design to simplify the construction. I recommenced RC modelling in 2011, and I am presently a member of St Blaize club here in Mossel Bay. I'm the only true scratch-builder remaining in the club. Our members mostly fly ARF's, or have models built for them. Thanks for your prompt response. Nice sharing a few early memories with you. I've never been good with names but some of the fellas you mentioned ring a distant bell (Jakkals Marais, Oom Scholtie, Paul van Wyngaardt). From Vaal Radio Flyers, I relocated to Bloemfontein, where I was quite involved in the setting up and running of Central Radio Flyers. I was made an honorary life member, when my work career called me back to Vereeniging and then Port Elizabeth. At the time, Ivor Garish was the club chairman of Central Radio flyers. Whilst at Vaal Radio Flyers, I was the MC at the prize giving dinner following Hanno Prettner's visit to RSA with his Curare design.
The Black Magic in my workshop.
Clean Sweep in foreground, Swizzle Stick at back. Fournier motor-glider, and Jitterbug.
We had the misfortune to have a number of our photo albums and documents stolen/lost during our relocation to Port Elizabeth, I therefore don't have much of my hobby and SAARF stuff. We must have just missed each other in Bloemfontein by a couple of months. I relocated back to Vereeniging end of 1977. Then working for Coca-Cola Export (a Division of Coca-Cola Atlanta) based in Johannesburg. I commuted to and from Vereeniging daily. Attached is a newspaper clipping that appeared in the local newspaper in Bloemfontein, advertising a Central Radio Flyers fly-in to be held on 5 June 1977. That's a cool 39 years ago! The photo in the article reflects me still getting to grips with the Graupner Alouette helicopter. Note we flew with tennis balls to soften the arrivals. Remember spending many, many hours maintaining the chopper and balancing blades. As mentioned previously, it's unfortunate that so much of our documentation and photo's we lost in our move to PE. My late wife would no doubt have remembered all the relative details as only our ladies can. I have taken the liberty to include a couple of photo's of my most recent scratch-built models. The model in the background of the Fournier is the Jitterbug. The model in the background of the Clean Sweep is the Swizzle Stick. All these models are courtesy of RCM&E free plans! You may observe that all my models carry the registration number ZS-VNG. It's the registration number of my very first microlight flown in 1985.
Newspaper clippings that Reg has retained from his days at Central Radio Flyers, Bloemfontein.
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 30
Letter to the editor Good morning Bob
Riaan Nel
I started to build a Âź scale model of a Hawker Hartbees, of which there are only one example left in the world, in the Museum of Military history in Saxonwold, about three years ago. Although the intention was to go 100% scale, it just was, for me, not possible. However, it is a very good rendition of the Hartbees and I am sure the only flying Hartbees in the world.
SAMAA Apparel now in stock! Fleecy Jackets
Lacoste Shirts
All sizes:
All sizes:
R300
The maiden flight on 2 June 2016 was flown by my son Dawid Nel at the Somerset East airfield. The model's wingspan is 2.83m, it weighs 18.5kg and is powered by a DLA inline-twin engine of 116cc.
R240
Windbreakers All sizes
I thought you would enjoy this as it is such a unique part of our aviation history.
R330
Caps
R65
Beanies R50
! today yours .co.za b e Order w in@m a-adm 79 sama 73-36 1 01 9 Beautiful lines of the Hartbeest was carried through by designer Sydney Camm to the Hurricane.
Postage costs may vary. Windbreaker and golf shirt mailed with post office is around R50. Postnet to Postnet is R99. Aramex service is usually R99, but only applicable to thinner items, like one golf shirt. Other courier costs may be different.
SAMAA Badge and Proficiency Badges All badges are R30 each. Add R5.00 for postage in a DL-size envelope. Member must hold the appropriate proficiency to be able to order badges.
Streamlining of Hartbees made it one of the faster bi-planes of its era. Hawker built many derivatives: Hart, Hartebeest, Audax, Hardy, Demon, Osprey (Naval version).
Enough cockpit detailing by Riaan to make it a nice scale project.
SAM A A News Issue 1 of 2016 - Page 31
SAM A A News Issue 1 of 2016 - Page 32
The S AM A A Activity Calendar As we are nearing the end of the year, this activity calendar becomes smaller and smaller. One hopes that the management committees of clubs act in a pro-active manner, to plan their activities ahead of time, and determine the dates of most of their important events for 2017.
Safety. Safety. Safety.
Similarly, the various Special Interest Groups of the SAMAA must surely start planning now already for their 2017 competitive activities, since it usually involves negotiating and making use of club facilities, since the SIGs don’t “own” premises of their own. To advertise your events in SAMAA News (club event, local, air show, fly-in, provincial competition, national competition, team-trials, etc.) is free of charge. Promote your club, group, or SIG and its activities. Send details to samaa-admin@mweb.co.za This activity calendar information is also published on the new SAMAA website (http://www.samaa.org.za/php/event.php) and is a great method of supporting clubs with their promotional efforts. Send your details...TODAY! Contact person
Telephone
Scale 2016 Warbirds & Vintage Fly-in Heli Fun Day Vintage Aircraft Fly-in No. 312
Morne Nortier Hannes Hattingh Buks Louwrens Colin Matthysen
082-890-6601 082-829-9090 082-900-3391 082-679-5019
1 2 2 4-8 9 9 15-16 15 15 16 16 16 21-23 23 23 28-30 28-30 29
Warthog RF Irene Radio Flyers GEMS Springbok Rand MAC Valley RCMC Helderberg RF GEMS Area 51 Durban MAC GEMS Port Elizabeth RF Gariep Dam Tygerberg MFC Warthog RV Hessequa RV Irene Radio Flyers Stellenbosch MAA
Birthday Bash Large Scale monthly comp F3K Qualifier for 2017WC NASAFI 2016 & Speed tests Cubby Day KZN League Aerobatics MAASA Aerobatic Masters F5J Electric gliding Night Fly & Braai Bill Vos Memorial gliding F3K Qualifier for 2017 WC Scale Round 2 Greg Casson Memorial Fly-in Golden Oldies Series Scale Rd 2 Eagle Sq Riversdal Fly-in Volksrust/Tamatieberg slope Open Glider Day
Mike Hirst Owen Vuyk Juanita Smith vZyl Koegelenberg Dion van Rooyen John Dorse Stuart Nix Ivan Williams Pieter Koekemoer Dennis Bird Juanita Smith Garth Vice Boet Denysschen Aubrey Smith Koos Pretorius Stoffel Giliomee Hannes Hattingh Nic van Rensburg
081-855-0402 083-276-9861 083-630-8975 083-659-4281 082-905-7040 082-824-8589 082-855-4920 083-263-7889 082-802-593 072-796-6534 083-630-8975 082-415-2129 082-449-4623 081-322-2360 082-928-0368 071-360-3733 082-829-9090 082-700-
4-8 5 5 5 8 12 12 13 19 20 20 26-27 26-27 26 27 27
Springbok Pretoria RF Swartkop AFB Area 51 Polokwane SAMAA office Irene Radio Flyers Port Elizabeth RF Peninsula RF Rand MAC Tygerberg MFC GEMS Swartkop AFB Atlantic Flying Club Pretoria RF Rand MAC Heidelberg - GAU
NASAFI 2016 & Speed tests Club Aerobatics Aero Club Colours Awards Scale Day & Fly-in SAMAA SMC & SIG meeting Proficiency training/testing Year-end function Scale Day Pylon Summer Races Glider Day F5J Electric Gliding Scale Warbirds/Civvie Scale Hermanus Slope Fly-in Year-end function Vintage Aircraft Fly-in No. 313 Highveld Thermal League 4
vZyl Koegelenberg Andre v Huyssteen Sandra Strydom Johan vd Merwe Bob Skinner Martin Venter Julie Mundell Oscar Smith Matthys Botha Aubrey Smith Ivan Williams Johan Krüger Bruce Southwood Willem de Veer Colin Matthysen Gordon Browne
083-659-4381 082-793-6486 011-082-1100 082-820-1234 011-973-3679 083-260-8041 082-923-4911 082-560-8200 073-895-9909 081-322-2360 083-263-7889 076-960-7024 083-633-7198 083-381-2188 082-679-5019 082-469-8251
Area 51 Henley Aeromod. Atlantic Flying Club Stellenbosch MAA GEMS Peninsula RF
Grass Fly-in & Braai Gatskop Airshow! Hermanus Slope Fly-in Year-end Fly-in F3K Sleep-over (HLG) Birthday Fly-in
Dries Vermeulen Boet Denysschen Simon Pfotenhauer Nic van Rensburg Juanita Smith Oscar Smith
083-628-3064 082-449-4623 082-436-9882 082-700-1856 083-630-8975 082-560-8200
December
Event
Oudtshoorn Irene Radio Flyers Rand MAC Benoni RF
3 3 3-4 10-11 10-11 18
Jan
Club/Site
22-25 24 25 25
28-29 TOSS - W Cape 29 Benoni RF
Slope Aerobatic Event Schalk Human Vintage Aircraft Fly-in no. 314 Colin Matthysen
March Feb
November
October
Sept
Date
4 26
Pretoria RF JOMAC
Club Aerobatics Andre v Huyssteen 082-793-6486 Vintage Aircraft Fly-in no. 315 Colin Matthysen 082-679-5019
26 30
Rand MAC SAMAA office
Vintage Aircraft Fly-in no. 316 Colin Matthysen 2017 SAMAA AGM Bob Skinner
2017 082-572-6390 082-679-5019
Recently, the RAASA (Recreation Aviation Administration of South Africa) communicated with the SAMAA management, that they had received an anonymous complaint from a SAMAA member, that certain clubs were allegedly operating without the presence of a safety officer, either appointed or elected. I personally find it very difficult to respond to such allegations when there are no details of which clubs are involved or may be affected, and of course the complainant had insisted to RAASA to remain anonymous. Unfortunately, the SAMAA management is obliged to respond to such communication, and I would like to remind every member, flying at every SAMAA-registered club, that no flying should take place without a safety officer present at any of our registered clubs. Practically of course, this does not work very well. Therefore, all club chairmen should communicate with their members, that all club members of each club, are assistant safety officers. The first member arriving at the club premises becomes the designated safety officer, until a committee member arrives, or the duly elected safety officer relieves him of his duty. Safety at our clubs is not negotiable, and most clubs underwrite our safety code and support the Manual of Procedures. There are however a few clubs that could improve on this count. I would like to ask all members, and club committees to always put safety first, as we cannot afford to be branded as careless and negligent of the safety of others, whether they be fellow members, or members of the public. Apropos a recent incident earlier this year, I would also like to remind all our members, that in the event of an accident or incident involving a fullsize aircraft and a model aircraft, the incident must be reported immediately to the staff in the SAMAA office, so that the incident may be reported to RAASA. Failing to report such an incident actually constitutes a criminal offence. It does not matter how negligible the incident or accident is... it must be reported. Safe flying is no accident! Marthinus Potgieter
Safety. Safety. Safety. ID quired er e r r e b m nu memb A A M A S r each lub of S A
April
1 Pretoria RF 23 Barnstormers 27-1/5 PC Pelser, KDP
Club Aerobatics Andre v Huyssteen 082-793-6486 Vintage Aircraft Fly-in no. 317 Colin Matthysen 082-679-5019 Combined Power Nationals Bob Skinner 011-973-3679
Nov Oct Aug Jun May
082-679-5019 011-973-3679
21/28 Benoni RF (TBC) 27-28 Swartkop AFB
Buddy Wright Memorial (318) Colin Matthysen Warbirds & Civvie Scale Johan Krüger
3
Pretoria RF
Club Aerobatics
Andre v Huyssteen 082-793-6486
5
Pretoria RF
Club Aerobatics
Andre v Huyssteen 082-793-6486
7
Pretoria RF
Club Aerobatics
Andre v Huyssteen 082-793-6486
4
Pretoria RF
Club Aerobatics
Andre v Huyssteen 082-793-6486
082-679-5019 076-960-7024
fo
Aero C t from the A M A A database n e m e ir u It is a req member on the S Please log in, that everyave an ID number. other details must h r ID, and check ffice, add you tact the S A M A A o n o . c Or 679 011-973-3
SAM A A News Issue 1 of 2016 - Page 33
SAM A A management committee Marthinus Potgieter Johan Groenewald Pieter Frylinck Boet Denysschen Daniel Ralefeta Vacant Juanita Smith
Chairman marthinus@cointech.co.za Vice-chairman, compliance johan.groenewald@telkomsa.net Development & proficiencies pieter@rhinobag.co.za Club representative dennys@ballmail.co.za Transformation daniel.ralefeta@sita.co.za Special Interest Groups chairperson Treasurer info@alshobbies.co.za
Johan Ehlers Vacant
CIAM Representative ehlersjl@gmail.com Newsletter editor to be appointed
082-377-6493 079-496-9228 082-925-1116 082-449-4623 072-244-3474
news
083-630-8975 082-804-1120
Administration & Office
SAM A A News publication, material, advertising
PO Box 7116, Bonaero Park 1622. Tel/fax 011-973-3679. Fax 086-607-8733. Office 24, Building R4, Denel Technical Academy, 131 Atlas Road (Denel North entry), Bonaero Park. GPS Coordinates: S26 08 41.80 E028 15 59.04 (co-ordinates for main entrance to building R4) Bob Skinner General Manager. samaa-gm@mweb.co.za 011-973-3679, 083-283-1681. Linda Dold Assistant to the GM. samaa-admin@mweb.co.za 011-973-3679.
SAMAA News is produced in-house until the position of editor is advertised and filled. The SAMAA general manager has been tasked to edit, produce, and distribute SAMAA News in the meantime. samaa-admin@mweb.co.za. PO Box 7116, Bonaero Park 1622. Tel 011-973-3679. Fax 086-607-8733. The views expressed in SAMAA News, and the advertisements placed, do not necessarily represent the views of the SAMAA, or its management committee. These are published for the interest and comments of our members, and are not specifically endorsed, or verified.
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Keith Renecle Control Line Association of SA (CLASA) krenecle@netactive.co.za 083-415-1409 Clinton Carter-Brown Model Aerobatics (MAASA). chairman@maasa.co.za 083-630-0626 Jan Sime Model Gliding Association (MGA). 1jansime@gmail.com 082-556-1510 Wessel Vosloo Helicopters. wessel@vidextanks.co.za 082-806-7686 Roland Suhrmüller Multi-rotor FPV racing. (Fly-FPV-SA) roland@zoocentral.co.za 082-461-4889 Matthys Botha South African Miniature Pylon Racing Association (SAMPRA). bothamj@hotmail.com 073-895-9909 Koos Pretorius National Association of Scale Aeromodellers (NASA) 27725661765@vodamail.co.za 082-928-0368 Zane Mannell SA Model Jet Association (SAMJA) mannellz@sentech.co.za 082-827-8410 Owen Vuyk Large Scale Aerobatics (LSA) owen-vuyk@hotmail.com 083-276-9861 To join the SAMAA: Request application form 011-973-3679. Visit www.samaa.org.za for MS Word form, under “Information”, then “Membership”. On-line application form www.samaa.co.za. Or submit details by e-mail: name, ID, address, tel, fax, cell, club, to: samaa-admin@mweb.co.za Subscription fees to 31 December 2016. • Regular/adult members (18 to 60 years of age) R360 • Junior members (18 & younger) R200 • Senior Citizens/Retirees (60 years and older) R240
from 1 January 2017 R390 R220 R260
Payment by internet (EFT), or cheque. SAMAA current a/c 1605 126 772 at Nedbank, Menlyn Pretoria, code 1605 45. Use clear reference of name/ surname, and membership number if renewing. DO NOT USE “Subs/ Membership/SAMAA/New”, since this cannot be identified correctly. Fax or e-mail this proof of payment with your application or renewal, to 011-973-3679.
Submission of material: Check with the editor for the closing dates of submission of material. Photographs (conventional & electronic), are welcome. Long articles must be computer-generated, and must be in either MS Word, or editable text. Limit articles to 1 000 words - which is about a page-and-ahalf in SAMAA News. You may e-mail your contributions, including graphics and pictures to: samaaadmin@mweb.co.za. Ensure that captions accompany all pictures, and that the pictures are of reasonable resolution, not e-mail resolution. To advertise: Contact the SAMAA office. You must supply finished artwork in JPG format, to at least 300 dpi at the final size. Terms for all advertising is payment on receipt of invoice, as per the rate card below. Bank details are listed below. Send copy of deposit slip with placement instruction/order. SAMAA account at Nedbank, Menlyn Pretoria, code 1605 45, current account 1605 126 772.
S AM A A News advertising rate card Description/size (rates valid until further notice) Full page (A4) Half page (landscape or portrait) Quarter page Eighth page Your Local Dealer advert, per insertion Swops & Smalls, for a reasonable number of items advertised (call SAMAA office for more details)
Contents of Issue 3 of 2016
Change of address: www.samaa.co.za and sign in with your log-in and password. No log-in and password? Request automatically, if you have a correct e-mail address on the membership programme. No internet? Contact the SAMAA office on 011-973-3679 to change your address.
Protecting and serving your interests The SAMAA needs your help, to ensure that your rights and privileges are protected. Through the SAMAA, its Special Interest Groups, and numerous registered clubs, you can experience the protection of your rights, and enjoy the real benefits in all aspects of model aviation. • Advice
On building, flying, competition, airshow planning, club layouts, displays, special air events, competition, illegal flying, regulations, etc. • Clubs Enjoyment of your activity in a group context. All SAMAA clubs are approved and registered with the SAMAA, RAASA, and Civil Aviation. • Insurance Cover of R20m for damage to property, or injury or death to third parties (and member-to-member cover). • Proficiencies Recognition for flying proficiency, at all levels, and all disciplines. • Guidelines On starting and registering a new club. For frequency operations. Interaction with full-size aviation. Manuals of Operation. • SAMAA News To inform, educate, advise. Your mouthpiece. Great promotional value. • Rules Local and international, specs of models, frequencies, safe flying practices. • Web pages Good aeromodelling content, great links, regular updates. Excellent membership site for self-maintenance. • Representation The SIGs represent all competitive branches of aeromodelling. • Affiliations To the Aero Club of South Africa, and the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Also to other institutions (RAASA, SAAF, Denel). • Frequencies Protection by ICASA of frequencies in spectrum allocated to R/C. • Airspace Manage airspace at registered sites, through the CAA and RAASA. SAMAA is the only CAA-approved Aviation Recreation Organisation (ARO) for aeromodelling. • CIAM Direct link with CIAM (Commission for International Aeromodelling). Governs all world-wide competitive aeromodelling activities, and records. These are just a few of the services that the SAMAA is able to offer its members. Benefit from these services, and let our combined membership add to the voice and strength of SAMAA.
Get a non-member to join today, and let’s make SAMAA stronger!
Full-colour R800 R500 R300 R150 R50 R50
news
Walker Bay Radio Flyers Flying Extravaganza 2016 Maritzburg MAC Scale Day 2016 Jets-R-Us Gariep Fly-in Michel Leusch obituaries Illegal equipment used at SAMAA fields/clubs 2016 FAI F2 Control Line World Championships From the Office Fly-in, vs Airshow, vs Demo, vs Special Air Event Chairman’s Report to 2016 AGM Combined Nationals 2017 2016 SA Gliding Nationals Ficksburg Braai & Fly Lime Acres Fly-in Club News and reports Outdoor X at Malonjeni Very large model aircraft over 25kg Middelburg Airshow Western Cape regional round-up Letters to the editor SAMAA clothing and badges SAMAA Activity Calendar Safety. Safety. Safety SAMAA information details, management committee, SIGs, etc. Your Local Dealers adverts Issue 4 of 2016 “Christmas Issue”. Deadline for submission
SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 34
1-3 4-6 8-9 9-10 10 11-14 15-16 17-18 18-19 19 20-21 22 23 24-25 26 27 28 29 30-31 31 33 33 34 35 35
Your Local Dealer Welkom
Somerset West
Country wide
Ermelo
Model Aviation Sole agent for ASP Glow Engines Chris Venter 082-808-1600 chris@rct4b.co.za www.rct4b.co.za
Boksburg South
Your one-stop shop in Mpumalanga Tel 017-811-3175 Fax 017-819-5739 janj@megaweb.co.za Jan and DaphnĂŠ Oosthuizen
Danie: 083-501-8756 danie@aspaviation.co.za www.aspaviation.co.za
Weltevreden Park Shop 4 Parkdene Centre Lancaster Road S26 14 08 E028 15 11
Tel. 011 892 1084 011-026-3313
Alan and Juanita Smith www.alshobbies.co.za info@alshobbies.co.za
Umhlanga
Pinetown
Recognised as an excellent hobby shop by SAMAA members!
Shop 10, Hillfox Power Centre
t011-475-8640. f011-675-0797
Est.1984
Shop 113 (next to Wimpy), The Crescent Shopping Centre, 1-3 Sunset Crescent, Umhlanga, KZN durban@denkit.co.za www.denkit.co.za
Tel 031-566-1045
082 946 2295
Kelvin
HOBBIES Shop 108 Est.1984 Entrance 4 Shelly Centre, Shelly Beach, KwaZulu Natal hobbies@denkit.co.za www.denkit.co.za
Tel 039 315 1640 Fax 039 315 7732 Tel 082 946 2294 Kempton Park
011 802 8500
011-972-9134 083-269-6785 082-854-9840. Fax 011-972-7598 trade@hobbycentre.co.za www.hobbycentre.co.za
Garsfontein Pretoria
Springs
SMITTIES HOBBIES 156 Third Street, Springs
011-815-3921 smitties@global.co.za http://smittieshobbies.tripod.com Pretoria East
Port Elizabeth
Mark Savage
3 Kingsbrook Road Hatton Estate Pinetown 3610, KZN radioactive@telkomsa.net
+27 31 702 7017
Albertinia
55 Fourth Avenue, Newton Park, PE
041 365 1371 082 651 8665 fax
041 368 7544 bh@intekom.co.za
Pretoria North
cnr Monument & Eland Rd, Aston Manor Flown with Passion
RADIO ACTIVE MODELS
info@ultimatehobbies.co.za
Shelly Beach Margate
HOBBIES
ould This cadvert... ur be yoor R50n*) f(* per insertio
Menlo Park Pretoria
for all your RC needs!
revohobbies@lantic.net 012-546-2144 081-766-8878 081-269-8022 Centurion
315 Lynnwood Road cnr Ox and Lynnwood Rd, Menlo Park 0186
Tel 012-362-4925 Menlyn Pretoria
RCRC
RADIO CONTROL REPAIR CENTRE Peter Frost for personal service
Your one-stop Hobby Shop! Cnr South & Heuwel Streets, Centurion, Gauteng
731 Great Dane Street, Garsfontein East Fax 012-998-3049 * Cell 082-854-0012
Tel 012-663-3895 Fax 012-663-5570
Specialized in JR/Spektrum radio repair and service
gerald@modelmania.co.za www.modelmania.co.za
Springbok
Centurion
Radio-controlled Planes, Helicopters, Cars, Workshop & more
Shop 18, Menlyn Retail Park Cnr Lois and Garsfontein Roads
Tel 012 348 0308 • Fax 012 348 0309 mail@jixhobbies.co.za www.jixhobbies.co.za
Benoni (www)
RC Services FUTABA Service Centre for Radio Controlled Models
tel (012) 807-4667 e-mail info@mrcm.co.za website www.masterrcmodels.co.za Shop 1E, Willow Way Shopping Ctre, Lynnwood Rd, Pretoria
Shop 11, Doornkloof Mall, Protea Str., Doornkloof
Tel. 012-667-5757 e-mail highfly1@mweb.co.za
Pieter Bosman (Bossie) Tel/Fax 027 712 3762 Cell 082 926 9221
+ 27 11 849 1527
+27 84 831 4533
SA home of LADO electric retractable undercarriage systems www.robinmodelaviation.com info@robinmodelaviation.com rcoombs@iburst.co.za
news
Issue 4 for 2016
Issue 4 for 2016 of the SAMAA News will be published before the end of November 2016. To enable us to comply with this deadline, all material for publication must be received by Sunday 30th October 2016. This is for articles, photographs, reports, advertising material, activity calendar dates, etc. This Christmas issue is the ideal opportunity for our dealers, importers, distributors, and hobby shops to advertise. Get in touch with the SAMAA office today! SAM A A News Issue 3 of 2016 - Page 35