Christchurch and District Model Flying Club
Sloping Off - our newsletter

DIARY OF A FLIER BY B LEONARD WISE

The story so far. B Leonard Wise had lost radio control, and put his plane high up in a tree. His son Crispin age 17 said that he had an idea how to get it down.

Next morning was Saturday so Crispin was off school. After breakfast he took out his bike and  told me to get to the airfield in an hour. How will you get there I asked him. Never you mind he replied. I told my wife that what had happened and she explained that the daughter of one of her friends was as she put it sweet on Crispin.1

Crispin had discovered Girls last year and does not know what to make of them but he has been going round to this girl’s house to help her father with his drone. This my wife said was arranged by Sarah the daughter. This is his first love although he does not know it yet.

Collecting Walter we got to the site in the hour and saw a large 4.x 4 arrive. Out got Crispin and a pretty girl who wore jeans and a fashionable anorak. It was fairly windy and cold so she had a baseball cap on and a blond ponytail through the back of it.. Her dad was at the wheel. We all introduced ourselves and I was introduced to Sarah. The tail gate was lifted up and out came a large Drone. One of those said Walter under his breath. He hates them. Crispin who had practiced with it in Sarah's garden brought it out and set it up. The wind was about 12 miles an hour and rising. Here is what we will do said Crispin. I have brought a hook and  fixed it under the drone. I will fly it and hook the plane down then lift it and bring it down   Can you do it said Sarah her eyes shining. I went to say something but Walter held my arm, let him do it he said

He did fly it well and up it went he held it against the wind the tried to hook the plane but he could not do it. Walter suggested that he lower the hook on a piece of wire which he had brought so the drone could stay higher and above the trees. Once again up it went. The hook did engage this time but the drone could not pull it off. I had the bright idea to hang a weight from the drone, rush the drone at the plane hoping the weight would hit the tail end of the fuselage and wrap itself around it. Then put the hook through the wing where it was already held and try to pull it up.

Everyone thought that was a good idea. Crispin said the wind is getting up I doubt if I can pull the drone and the plane into the wind so we attached Walters ball of string to the Drone and I held the other end. Do you think Crispin can do it asked Sarah. Walter told her Crispin is the best young flyer we have at the club., Walter could see what was happening and wanted to help Crispin. Sarah glowed at her hero.

Up we went again the weight worked and went round the fuselage. Crispin managed  to get the hook through the wing. Now said Walter we shall have both of them stuck you see. Crispin tried lifting the whole lot but it did not budge then he brought the Drone down as far as he dared and suddenly gave it full throttle and the whole lot shot up in the air. I am known for my quick reflexes and calmness under pressure  and I held the string walking away to make a shallow angle. Between Crispin and me we managed to get the drone and plane away from the tree. I stopped it blowing back and down it came. Walter and Sarah ran forward to catch the plane before the lot came down in a crash. It was not falling quickly, just  before it reached them. Crispin cut the throttle so there would be no spinning blades and they caught the plane and the drone. Crispin gave the transmitter to me and he went to help Sarah untangle the planes. Walter left them I made to go and help but Walter again held my arm. Let them do it he said. So I did. Blooming drones he said at least they are good for something..

Sarah's Dad told us that was some remarkable flying and we all agreed. Crispin looked pleased with himself. Sarah flashed her big blue eyes at him gave him an adoring smile and went to stand beside him. I noticed they were holding hands. I thought Crispin my boy you do not stand a chance.

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