CD Ashley Hoyland Judges: Alan Simmonds and Stuart Turrell with Bob Wasson and Peter Scoles. Scores Matt Hoyland Due to the amount of equipment required plus the models, Matt and I made our own way to Barkston in glorious sunshine, but with 5 miles to drive we ran into mist and it just got thicker. We arrived from different directions but within a few seconds of each other at 7.15 to be greeted by Alf Tunicliffe, BMFA Midland Area Secretary who organises the day. We managed to find the main runway in the mist but had to wait for it to clear before we could mark out the box, the mist was so thick we could only guess that we were in roughly the right place. So it was assemble models and control as Stuart Turrell arrived out of the mist to help, thank you Stuart. As the mist started to clear the box was laid out ready for the pilots briefing on time at 8:40. Flying was delayed until 9:21 when the mist finally gave way to a perfect day. 19 competitors in all classes with no problems or accidents. Mike Watts, Angel 50Se came third in his first competition and it was good to see Keith Dawson and John Stones flying in their second competitions. The close competition in Masters was nail biting stuff right to the end and really good to be part of the close but friendly rivalry, sorry about the new model, blame Matt. I invited Alf Tunnicliffe to present the ‘trophies’ or mementoes is a better word, to the top pilots in each class and the Judges. We also thanked Alf with a similar memento bearing his name, in thanks for his help and consideration. I should not end without thanking Matt Hoyland for handling the scoring. I got into bother a few times for not being where I should have been but we did have some visitors to our flightline with lots of discussion and leaflets distributed. Sorry Matt, that’s my excuse anyway. Although our agreed finish time was just achieved it was 6.45 before we left the airfield. My litter walk revealed one cigarette end and one transmitter. If we had a mobile internet connection the Tx would have been on e-bay but the way it worked out I can only hope the owner and his caller enjoyed their tour of Grantham before picking up our message and returned to the airfield. Just one other point, the two of our visitors admittedly took leave to visit IMAC – shame on you, but welcome back. A brilliant day – thank you all for making it so. Just to finish, I did spare a thought for our members and pilots across the Channel at the annual Romilly competition. I expected that they would be having at least as good weather as we were, but apparently they had to fly in the rain. Ashley Hoyland

CD Ashley Hoyland Judges: Bob Ailles, Alan Simmonds, Stuart Turrell and John Mee. Scorers: Alison and Marion. Before the day I received telephone calls from 2 interested flyers with an interest in joining the Association who wanted to come and watch, and they were there for the pilots briefing at 8.40. One was Peter Jinks who also helped us by scribing for several flights, thank you Peter. The other was Neil Armstrong with his friends from the Pontefract area. Well the weather gods were with us again. Just a slight breeze drifting ‘in’ before lunch turning to a 7mph breeze from the right and straight down the line through the afternoon. We rotated the flight order on this occasion with 11 pilots in FAI and 3 Masters pilots to fly for the first time at a Centralised event. This should be an incentive for every member to enter a Centralised to fly their schedule at the normal competition entry fee to experience the venue which must be the best in the Country and gain league points. (FAI team contenders have priority at Centralised but any ‘spare slots’ can be filled by any member flying their own schedule up to a total of 15 pilots). Full model processing was carried out by Bob Rowland, Mel Garlick and Alan Connelly which gave me the opportunity to provide all involved and pilots with the details shortly after the competition. FAI flew first with the 3 Masters pilots slotting in at the end of each round. I was totally disgusted that I experienced my first engine cut in competition. Having changed the plug for my third flight all appeared to be well until as the model climbed out the problem returned, two engine cuts in a day! FAI progressed without incidence until Steve Simm suffered from what we thought to be crystal failure, luckily before he started his engine for his second flight. The reserve model was flown in that round although the ‘attempt’ had to be forfeited. The competition finished with a thanks all round and we cleared the airfield for 18.10. One interesting point to come out of the Centralised Competitions was that in my opinion the only reason they ran so well was that Bob Rowland, Mel Garlick and Matt (who looked after me through the day) and helped helped from 7.30am Alan Connelly (at the second Centralised) Stuart Turrell (at the first Centralised) Jason Collins and Darren and John Mee should all be thanked for their help along with 3 or 4 others who scribed plus our judges and scorers of course. That is 11 people who helped to run a competition for between 8 and 14 competitors. We cannot run events like this without those who give their time to help. If you want to help next year please give me a call. Ashley Hoyland

CD Ashley Hoyland Judges Bob Ailles, Peter Brett, Alan Simmonds. Scorers: Alison and Marion. The advance party of Matt Hoyland, Mel Garlick, Bob Rowland, Ken Moss and myself arrived to set up the flight line at 7.30am. Our Pilots briefing was scheduled for 8:40. From an indifferent forecast we thought the weather might beat us, but we had a perfect day if just a little cool at times, but so much better than expected at the time of year. It had already been arranged for Ken Moss and Matt Hoyland to provide the judges warm-up flights. Weighing, Measuring, Battery checking, noise testing and flight timing took place. This not only provided a huge amount of experience for me and the Association but also gave me the opportunity to provide full details of those checks for all the competitors after the competition. We were visited by 3 spectators who had seen the announcement in the BMFA News, one from Torquay who just happened to be in the area. As at the last couple of Nationals the flying order was accompanied by scribing duties for all pilots in an attempt to stop the problem of holding up procedures whilst calling for absent scribes. I think it worked well although we must thank John and Darren Mee and Stuart Turrell for sitting in the scribes chairs for most of the competition, I hope this did help pilots to concentrate on their flying. Unfortunately our Judges did not take advantage of judging the F09 schedules flown at the end of the competition. If it had been 20°c I think it would have been different. I thank Richard Christopher, Arthur Silsby, Bob Rowland and Matt who all helped to clear the site before leaving the airfield at 17.00. Ashley Hoyland

This event was well received by those attending and again it proved a success with 12 pilots flying. From the two NPods held at Gainsborough we now have three new competition flyers, with three others taking an interest in GBR/CAA domestic competitions. The event was held in perfect weather even though the wind was howling as I left home at 6am, but true to the forecast the wind dropped completely before the first flight. Everyone had at least three flights mentored by Bob Wasson, Ken Moss or Matt. Thanks for another successful day go to Bob Rowland, Bob Wasson, Ken Moss, Matt Hoyland, Chris Bond, Steve Haywood and Steve Hunt (none member) for helping on the day. Ashley Hoyland

To the new guy who took parts of the NPOD, I am so glad that all of you really enjoyed and learned a lot from the F3A. Everything went smoothly for me and i did not have time to get on line last night as I fell asleep!!!!!!!!!!! I would like thanks the richard for doing some calling cards and few bits. I also like to thanks to the pilots/Mentor of Richard, Garry, Mike and a bit Jason. Many thaks to Eugene for the frequency controller throughout the day and there were no interference at all. I'm surprise that being a CD is hard work and do not want other to be upset :( and we just manage to do almost three rounds including with bit of club flying, I will write some story of the day went. I hope to see you all at the competition. There are few other events going on at our field if you look at club website. Hopefully either run the open day again or a comp. Blue skies Stuart Turrell