Pilots flying quadcopters demonstrated their skills as their 'flying platforms' buzzed between and around flags, hoops which were laid out across the Phoenix Model Aviators airfield.  This was their first 'test and evaluation day'.  Each pilot looked through special goggles which gives them the view seen from the front of the aircraft as it flies around the course.
Even though the wind was low, a few crashes and spins were to be seen.  However, no damage was recorded.

A quadcopter, also called a quadrotor helicopter or quadrotor, is a multirotor helicopter that is lifted and propelled by four rotors. Quadcopters are classified as rotorcraft, as opposed to fixed-wing aircraft, because their lift is generated by a set of rotors (vertically oriented propellers).

We look forward to seeing more exciting flying at the next 'test and evaluation day' on the 21st May, 2016 from 12 midday. Come along for a look or a fly.

'The Burns Boys, David and Mathew who have put many hours into creating and painting so we can have two signs to welcome visitors to our airfield.
The first sign is located on the big tree at the turn-around and the second is attached to our gate.
We know these creations were not an easy task as the logo is very 'busy' and required a lot of masking tape to get it just right.
Every time we come to the airfield, we can say, 'the Burns Boys did that'.  Thanks for a job well done.

Seen here are a few of our members who came to the airfield for the Anzac Day fun fly and sausage sizzle.

The weather was very windy with occasional showers.

Seven members' aircraft took to the air and all handled the stiff SW winds.

Hopefully, next year, the weather will be kinder?

If it is water your'e a wanting, then contact us.  We have a perfect way of getting rain.  Just ask us to put on a club meeting and it will rain for sure.  Well, it seems like that.  Six out of seven events were cancelled within the past 18 months due to rain.
But this time, we flew our aircraft, BBQ-ed, ate, drank, laughed between the showers on the day of our meeting and Christmas break-up.
Congratulations to our new administrators, Bill Rogers, Gordan Reed, Brian Fyfe and Sean Senbruns.  We are pleased to have you on the administration team.  Some pictures of the day are below.

The 'Alan James Gate' (which was a farmers barbed wire gate), has now been replaced by a metal swing gate with a chain lock.
Our Guru, Stu Jenkins installed the gate today making it easier to gain access to the immediate southern paddock for retrieving a downed aircraft.
The picture below shows Stu attaching the wire to the second metal swing gate (a narrower pedestrian gate) to give access to the southern, south-west and western paddocks. For the moment this gate is secured by placing the "wire loop' over the star picket.  Next year, a working bee will be called to help Stu to stabilize the post and to tension the wire.

We wish to thank Hans Piatscheck for providing these two freshly painted gates.  Even the cows can see them!  Thanks so much Hans for making this project possible.

Hopefully, these gates will put an end to cut hands, backs and legs from the barbed wire.  We ask all members to use the gates as their only access into the paddocks?

It was an almost perfect flying day when some of the Phoenix members 'took time out' to just go flying on a Monday morning.

Apart from one crash when the Hurricane broke the nose section off on landing, all other aircraft had successful flights.

The small red and white aircraft in the front row, owned by Alan James, is an electric powered control line model.

Yes!  We cater for all classes of model aircraft flying.

Even the best pilot can crash an aircraft (sometimes).

Well, this is what you should not do.

Last Wednesday, Rod Winton, (pictured to the left) was flying his favourite aerobatic glider a metre and a half above the ground performing a horizontal circuit of the airfield.  But, the aircraft was inverted (upside down) at the time.
Unfortunately, he forget about the small tree in the SW corner and the glider crashed into it.

Being a very good pilot he skillfully crashed the aircraft so that no damage was sustained.  This type of manoeuvre  requires many years of practice and should only be performed by the most experienced pilot.

So there are a few tricks that pilots should avoid.

*   Do not fly your aircraft toooooo far away so it is difficult to see and control.  (Stay close to the airfield)
*   Do not fly your aircraft toooooo high.  (The maximum height above ground is 400 feet)
*   Do not fly your aircraft into the 'Restricted Area'.  (This is where your car is parked and others are enjoying morning tea)
*   Do not fly your aircraft toooooo low, inverted into trees.  (We must preserve our trees at all costs)