The members of the aircraft section predominantly fly radio controlled fixed wing power. Other sides of the hobby also seen include electric flight, helicopters, sailplanes and slope soaring.
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EMC's main site for aircraft is in Ripley. We recently purchased this site and have got planning
permission to fly radio controlled aircraft. This site is in continuous development within the bounds
of the planning permission.
The control line circle is sited at Fairmile. |
| This is the dominant area within the air section. The majority of pilots are into sport flying with quite a few members interested in scale aircraft and aerobatics. |
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The majority of pilots have passed their BMFA 'A test" which allows them to fly solo. A large number have also gone on to pass their 'B test'. This is made easier within the club due to having a few examiners and chief examiners as club members, which allows a high standard of tuition and opportunity to take the tests.
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Several relaxed competitions are held during the year which are designed so that the beginner to the
expert can take part and enjoy the event. These include - Handicapped Pylon Racing - Relay - Electric Gliding - Fast and Slow - Spot Landing - Limbo - Scale |
There are a few helicopter pilots within the club, ranging from beginners to 3D.
There are also a number of examiners, including a chief examiner, for the helicopter discipline which allows the BMFA tests to be taken.
To see more on CONTROL LINE click this link.
Ground schools are also being started this year, which are aimed at teaching all levels of pilots
(as everybody has something to learn, even Hanno Prettner and Christophe Paysant-Le-Roux). The
ground school will include lessons such as the basics of aerodynamics, engine tuning, aerobatics and building techniques.
Practical demonstrations and training will also be given for those looking to pass their A test, B test,
and learn any aerobatic maneuvers. There is no fixed schedule, this will depend on who turns up and what
they would like to learn.
Flying times are limited to:
Please read the rules if you are a member as this is obviously not a definitive set.
Powered gliders still seem to be the dominant force in the electric aircraft side of EMC. There are
however a number of scale electric planes, including multimotors and ducted fans.
EMC has the rights to fly model aircraft at Coley Hill, near Reigate as part of the North Downs Soaring
Association. This also allows us to use other hills in the South of England when the wind does not
allow flying at Coley Hill.
This takes place at our field in Ripley, usually when no power flying is taking place, with the help
of bungees.
EMC has access to a control line circle at Fairmile. A wide range of activities take part within the
control line section, including scale, combat, speed and sport flying. Combat involves having a streamer
attached to all the planes and which you try to cut by flying through. The speed events have specially
designed planes and engines, reaching speeds in excess of 200mph.
The club follows the BMFA Up-And-Away scheme for teaching to fly fixed wing with a mentor assigned to
everybody who signs onto the teaching program. The mentor is there to ensure all aspects of the scheme
have been covered and to give a point of contact for the pupil. A notebook is used to show the
progression of the pupil. Each stage in the notebook can only be signed off by the pupils mentor,
however this does not prevent the pupil getting other instructors to help them to learn to fly.
A club trainer is also available (sponsored by Ripmax/Futaba, Irvine Engines, Balsacraft and West London Models) which has been used to give hundreds
of people their first introduction to radio controlled flying. This is not used as a general trainer
since a large part of learning process to fly model aircraft is in the building, maintenance and
repairing, even if they are ARTF (Almost Ready To Fly).
For members wishing to learn to fly helicopters, there is a club helicopter (donated by a club member)
which has a buddy box setup to enable anybody to try it out with the knowledge that they are very unlikely
to actually damage it. This will hopefully see a few more budding helicopter pilots take to the skys,
with the minimum of cost and heartache.
There are two main purposes for all of our rules which are:
- SAFETY
- Keeping the field
Most of rules are common sense and follow the BMFA guidelines. The rest involve airspace and noise
(which is set at a maximum of 80dBA from 7 meters)
Saturday 10:00 to 17:00
Sunday 10:00 to 16:00
Wednesday 10:00 to 19:00
Friday 10:00 to 19:00
