I opened the last editorial bemoaning the wet and windy May weather and remarking that it had at least provided an opportunity to get the June newsletter together in good time. This time I am delighted to say that there is every chance that this September issue may be a bit late! After an unpromising start, August has provided some great flying weather which, combined with me taking on some very determined and enthusiastic trainees, has resulted in a record number of entries in my flight log for this month. Long may it continue.
Since building his quarter scale Piper Pawnee, featured in the June 2001 edition of Sloping Off, Steve Morris has been getting around some of the flying shows and scale fly-ins. Son Christopher has been going along too and, with a bit of secretarial help from Mum Lesley, has provided a brief report on one such recent outing. It transpires that, on this occasion, son had rather more success than father!
The model which Christopher used was his Flair Magnatilla. These seem to have been springing up all over the place recently and you can read about Neil Longman's conversion of this popular model to electric power elsewhere in this issue. In fact electric conversions seem to be a bit of a theme in this issue, the second one being my Brian Peckham designed Chorus Gull. This was first published many years ago but recently revived as a free plan in RCM&E.
Oliver Kirkwood has provided us with an international dimension, reporting on his first ventures into model flying in the Andes. Although the location was arguably less exotic, the Mudeford Scouts Day was this year blessed with fine weather. Thanks to all who came along to help and contribute models to the display.
On the general information front, I have included a note on the use of trainer leads, there is a competition update from Gordon and the usual contact details and programme information at the end.
Talking of the programme, the indoor flying bookings at Oakmead School have now been confirmed for this year. Please come along to support them. If however, this is not your thing and you would like to see some different events organised, or have other ideas to share with us, then do remember that the AGM is on 11th October. See you there.