Futaba receiver problems!.

Instructors:- Remember , We are happy to help..

A Test Passes …

Many congratulations to Pete Pritchard and Oliver Durose on passing their A Tests..
Below is Pete receiving his certificate. Oliver I have yours also, so we will have a picture when we meet.  Very well done to both of you.

ADF’s for 2026

Its July folks so time to get those models dusted off and checked over for the second ADF of the year. (Don’t forget the failsafe and please ensure you have some way of restraining your aircraft)
See you “Up the Patch” on Saturday 25th July.  The usual GO /NO GO will be called as soon as possible on the Friday before at latest.
If it is a NO GO, the fly will be postponed by one week.

The grass crop is now starting to grow again , so please keep to the paths wherever possible.

We also have dates in the diary for the last ADF #3..

ADF #3 – Saturday 26th September 2026. 

More Dates for the Diary – Can you help?

Avoncroft have asked if we would like to do something at their site for the summer holidays.
We ( Richard !) have managed to book the BMFA Flight Simulator trailer for the weekend of 22^nd and 23^rd of August.
If anyone could spare a day or half a day to help man the display on these dates it would be very much appreciated.  Please let one of the committee know.  (There will be free admission and a chance to have a look around Avoncroft and everything else that is going on of course .
All you need to do is to chat with the public and where there is interest gather names and contact details.
It should be a fun weekend and has the potential for us to meet potential new members too. 

Instructors:- We are happy to help..

If you would like some help flying a particular aircraft or manoeuvre or trimming out etc, please remember that the instructors are always there and happy to lend a hand.
Doesn’t matter if you would like to buddy up or just some moral support.. we are here for you.

Pre and Post Flight Checks… Always good to have a recap. 

Checks Before Each Flight

(a)  Obtain frequency clearance. Exactly what you do will depend on the rules of the site but be sure you understand exactly what you are doing and do not forget this step.
(b)  Pay particular attention to using the correct sequence appropriate to your model.  For 35 MHz this is usually ‘get the peg, Tx on, Rx on’.  For 2.4 GHz, you should be aware of any local transmitter usage limitations and if a flight peg is required, it must be obtained before the usual Tx on, Rx on sequence.  Note that some radio equipment and occasionally a specific model set up, require that the Rx be switched on first.  If this is so take extra care.
(c)  Check that all controls operate freely and do not bind or stick at any point in their movement.
(d)  Check that all controls move in the correct sense. For conventional models, stand behind the model and look for;
Elevator stick back – Elevator comes up.
Aileron stick right – Right hand aileron comes up.
Rudder stick right – Rudder moves to the right.
(e)  Check that all control surfaces are in their correct positions with the transmitter trims at neutral.
(f)   Look for any minor radio malfunctions such as slow or ‘jittery’ servos, glitches etc. If in doubt, DO NOT FLY.
(g)  Check Rx and Tx battery capacity is sufficient for the intended flight with an added safety factor.
(h)  With i/c models
(i)     After starting the engine and allowing it to warm up, check that the pick-up from idle to full power is satisfactory. Hold the model with its nose pointing upwards at a steep climbing angle for ten or fifteen seconds and check engine operation at full power. If the engine falters or cuts it is usually set too lean and must be re-tuned. Repeat the test until the engine runs correctly in the nose-up attitude.
(k)  With electric models
(i)     The first and most important principle of electric flight ground safety is to understand that the instant you start to plug in the flight battery, the model you are holding may transform itself from a dead airframe into one with its motor running at full revs and all controls moving. No matter how good your other safety checks, you must be prepared for this to happen every single time you start to connect the flight battery. If a separate Rx battery is fitted then you have the opportunity to check the operation of the radio equipment before the flight battery is plugged in.
(ii)    Since plugging in the flight battery is nearly always a two-handed job you must give serious thought to how your model will be restrained BEFORE it does something you don’t expect.   When plugging in, positive restraint, either by a helper holding the model or by some other method, and staying completely clear of the propeller must always be part of your regular routine.
(iii)  Electric motors have very different power and torque characteristics to normal IC model engines. You must take very great care when setting up their control systems and handling them as an accident, such as the propeller hitting your hand, which would stall a glow engine, might just make an electric motor turn even harder.
(iv)  Just before you go out to fly, DOUBLE CHECK that all transmitter trims, rate switches, mixers etc. are in their correct positions and that the transmitter meter is ‘in the green’ or that you have the correct model selected and that your aerial is extended.
(v)   Finally, with the aircraft held securely (usually on the ground for i/c models but not if the failsafe is set to retract the undercarriage), open up to full power and re-check all flying controls again for full and free movement, also noting any glitches, hesitations or odd vibrations.  If ANYTHING seems odd, DO NOT FLY
(l)   Be S.M.A.R.T. with your transmitter.
S = Switch – Ensure it is OK to switch on and that all your frequencies are safe to use.
M = Model – Ensure the correct model is selected.
A = Aerial – Ensure the aerial is secure and free from damage and contamination, extended where necessary and orientated as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
R = Rates – Ensure you have the correct rates, modes and trims selected.
T = Transmitter – Check that your transmitter voltage is safe to use. 

Checks After Each Flight

(a)  Receiver OFF then transmitter OFF (Unless your equipment manufacturer specifies otherwise).
(b)  Clear the frequency control system.
(c)  Clean the aircraft down
(d)  Check propeller, airframe, undercarriage, wing fixing etc. for security of fastening and for possible flight or landing damage.
(e)  REMEMBER – Never fly with a damaged aircraft or propeller, or with any possible radio problem.

That’s it for this month.. 

Hope to see you soon “Up the patch” or at The Old Cock in Droitwich.   77 Friar Street , Droitwich, WR9 8EQ   8.00pm on Wednesday 1st July 2026 as usual..

Happy Flying and blue skies …

Alan Brown & The Committee

Saturday 30th May All Day Fly (ADF’s)

Hopefully the weather will hold for our first ADF, with BBQ.  The usual GO /NO GO will be called as soon as possible on the Friday before at latest. If the weather isn’t ideal we’ll postpone a week to the following Saturday.

Wednesday 2nd September Club talk

One of our members, Chris Nocks, is a pilot for Ryanair. He will be giving us a talk on his career to date, a day in the life of a short haul pilot and how they operate flights. He’ll be comparing it to RC flying and has some video footage. Get your questions ready for him, should be an informative night.

Free food (sandwiches and chips) will be laid on for the evening.

One not to miss. Put this date in your diary.

Club night cancelled for Wednesday 3rd June

Next month’s club night has been cancelled as we can’t use the room in the Old Cock pub as it’s the usual Comedy week in Droitwich so most places have events being held.

That’s it for this month.. 

Hope to see you soon “Up the patch” in this glorious weather we’re having at the moment.

Happy Flying and blue skies …

Richard Wood & The Committee

Many thanks to Karl, and can’t wait to see a few more of these flying at Lower Bentley.
Further info and plans for even more models are below…..

Website for Free Plans – rc.tomhe.net
Models available on this website;
Eurofighter Typhoon
F16 Fighting Falcon
F22 Raptor
F/A-18 Super Hornet
MIG 29 Fulcrum
SU37 Super Flanker
Sukhoi Su-31
Note power setups may vary from those used for the Eurofighter. There are a number of links to forums for builds of these models and recommendations.
Depron Suppliers
Ebay – Kudos Trading(17969) Packs of 20, 6mm sheets grey(This is what I have) 625 x 800mm
The Balsa Cabin – 6mm sheets grey – buy by the sheet 625 x 800mm
SLEC UK – 3mm & 6mm sheets grey – buy by the sheet 625 x 800mm, 3mm also available in 800 x 1250mm
Sarik Hobbies – 3mm , 6mm & 9mm sheets white – buy by the sheet, 800 x 1250mm sheets also available
Power setup
Ebay – yiwuwholesale(73528) Brushless motor 2212-6 2200kv + 30A ESC + mount + prop + prop adapter £10.38 each(free delivery)
Servos
9-12g servo x 2 for the Eurofighter, 3 if you add a rudder
3DXR – EMAX-02-02-ES08MAII Servo £5.15 each
Adhesives
Model Shop Leeds – Deluxe Materials Foam to Foam
Deluxe Material Super Phatic
Carbon Tube
The Balsa Cabin – 4.5mm OD x 2.5mm ID x 1000mm
Hinge Tape
Model Shop Leeds – 3M Blenderm Hinge Tape 25mm

Pushrods
2mm x 300mm long
Paints
Tamiya Acrylics
Humbrol enamels/Acrylics
Protection Tapes for fuselage bottom
Gorilla Tape – Black/White/Silver/Clear
Various brands under Duct Tape
Tools
Swann Morton No.3 Scalpel with 10A blades
Steel rule 600mm/24”
3”/75mm square
Permagrit block or 400 grade emery paper for sanding
Karl created this list as a starting point. There are lots of other options out there.
Build specs
CofG -12cm(4.75”) from wingbreak (Where the wing starts)
Reflex on elevons – 2mm up
Starting point for movement on elevons 14mm each way

Cutting Depron
A shallow knife angle works better
If the blade starts to blunt or trying to force the knife through to fast, you’ll see the edge breaking on the top. Keep your eye on the bottom side of parts too, as the tip can blunt first and you’ll get a broken edge on the bottom side.
Videos on you tube
Eurofighter typhoon – foam build – ready for maiden flight – Mssy Lsl
Eurofighter build and maiden 6mm Depron – ChappersSP
RC Euro figher Depron 6mm – theo Theodoros
depron typhoon Eurofighter – rosalyn orchard
RC Eurofigher Typhoon full build & first flight – INDI RC
RC Eurofighter Kunstflug – @realdepronjets
Rc Eurofighter Typhoon in Luftwaffe colors – FoamAircraft
Eurofighter rc depron – @cavignac33
Profile Eurofighter depron parkjet inverted low pass –jayrothwell

And there’s plenty more!

Again many thanks to Karl for a very informative evening, and good luck to all those making their own Eurofighter.. Let us know how you get on.

ADF’s for 2026

Not long now until the May ADF. Time to get those models dusted off and checked over for the first flights of the year. (Don’t forget that failsafe!)
See you “Up the Patch” on Saturday May 30^th.  The usual GO /NO GO will be called as soon as possible on the Friday before at latest. If it is a NO GO, the fly will be postponed by one week.

We also have dates in the diary for this coming years ADF’s 2 & 3..

ADF #2 – Saturday 25^th July 2026.
ADF #3 – Saturday 26^th September 2026.

Safety First…

Just to remind people… There is a First Aid Kit in the Ammo Box, and the combination to the lock is the same as the gate.  You do need to press the button on the bottom of the lock to release the shackle.

Remember to set (or check) your failsafe.  These can change if you rebind your model, so always worth a check.

Use restraints !  If you don’t have any, please make some. A couple of pieces of bamboo cane if nothing else.They are essential, and can prevent something as simple as your transmitter falling over and suddenly putting your motor at full chat and finding your plane heading towards your nether regions!!
Restraints… Use them or maybe lose it! 

David Harvey has put a 10l container of water by the Ammo Box for use in case of a fire.
It may not put your LiPo out, but it will help put out any surrounding grass fire.

Fire Blankets WILL help contain a LiPo fire.. Why not purchase one of your own and keep it handy in your flight box. It can be a god send at the patch or even at home , should you suddenly need it.  Below is an Amazon link for a 1m x 1m blanket for just £4.95 Delivered!!

That’s it for this month.. 

Hope to see you soon “Up the patch” or at The Old Cock in Droitwich.   77 Friar Street , Droitwich, WR9 8EQ   8.00pm on Wednesday 6th May 2026 as usual..

Happy Flying and blue skies for 2026 …

Alan Brown & The Committee