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Editor: Simon Hilson

Diary Dates

Saturday 1st JuneAdvanced Aerobatics

training.Club field from 1pm.

Sunday 9th JuneTri Club events at High

Wycombe

Wed 12th JuneClub meeting at fieldwith BBQ and electric

flying

Saturday 15th JuneBasic aerobatics

training.Club field from 1pm.

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NEWSLETTER

June 2013

Tri Club - Round 1An outline of the informal inter-club competitions for2013 was given in last month’s news letter. Thisyear, we will be joined by Chesham Model FlyingClub in place of Slough, who are unable to takepart.

The first two events will be held at the WycombeClub, Flackwell Heath Field on Sunday 9th June.The events are desgned to be fun and are open toanyone with an A cert and above.

It would be great to have a few more fliers fromWLMAC taking part this year. The events aredesigned so that almost any plane can be used. Digout an old plane from the hangar and have a go. Apristine plane is definitely not required - chairmanMat’s WOT-4 undercarriage was held on with bits ofservo lead last year which provided plenty ofamusement for spectators when it inevitablycollapsed!

The competition will consist of two rounds.

The first will be timed touch and go circuits, whichwill involve five circuits each with a wheel touch ona designated target on the field. The aim is tocomplete the five in the shortest time, but if you failto touch there are time penalties. Times can bereduced however by touching the wheels in thehigher scoring zones of the target.

The second round will involve taking off andintercepting an aeroplane towing a streamer. Theshortest time will win.

Directions to Wycombe’s field have been sent withthis newsletter. A BBQ will be available should youwish to bring your own food to grill.

Start time is 2pm though you can turn up earlier ifyou wish to have a fly before the events start. Therewill also be an opportunity to fly after thecompetition has finished.

Many of you will by now have heard of the sad death of our much valued fellow member MikeSullivan, aged 76.

Mike joined WLMAC in the early nineties and for over 13 years acted as our NewsletterEditor; a role he was superbly equipped to fulfil given his professional background asjournalist and TV presenter with the BBC, Sky TV, and others.

Mike was a skilled cartoonist and many of the newsletters he editedincluded a cartoon to add some humour or to make a point about safetyor club rules in a light hearted way. One of Mike’s cartoons is reprintedon page 2.

Mike also provided the commentary atscale day - a job he greatly enjoyed. Hisjournalistic talents conveyed an authorityalong with a sense of fun to thecommentary which will be greatly missed.

Our feelings of sadness at the passing ofan old friend remind us of the good times

we shared as revealed in these pictures taken in happier times.Our deepest sympathies go to his wife Yanni and wider family.

Mike Sullivan

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New Arrivals at the Field

Stuart Whitehousetook advantage of acalm sunny evening onthe 5th May to treatmembers at the field toa display of ultra lowprop hanging. If youwant to learn this or anew aerobaticmanoeuvre, comealong to the regulartraining sessions.

Lower, Lower!

Stuart’s 2M electric SebartFuntana can perform almost anymanoeuvre due to its large wingarea, light wing loading and bigcontrol surfaces.

Bill’s Graupner L39 Albratross EDF Jet Chairman Mat’s Hangar 9 BF109. The weathered look was achieved by brushing matt paint over the covering

Albatross fly-by

In formation, but….

Formation practice is continuing but Tony needs tolearn to fly the right way up!

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Bank Holiday Monday Flying

Summer 1940 over Harefield Chairman Mat’s 109

Simon’s Cougar on landing approachBF 109 looking for targets of opportunity

Len’s Cub about to touch down Taking off for another sortie

Bank Holiday Mondayon the 6th May was arare perfect flying day.

Temperatures werearound 20 degrees withlight winds and a fewclouds which provided aperfect backdrop forsome formation flyingand other warbirdadventures.

Charman Mat andDavid Orrells turned theskies over Harefield intoa scene from the 1940’sseveral times during theday.

Thanks to Des, thegrass around the stripwas in excellentcondition so run offs orlandings that did notquite make the stripwere not a problem.

EDF jets, aerobats andscale civilian modelswere also flownreflecting the widevariety of planes ownedby members.

Looks like Chairman Mat got the Hurricane…..

Motion Blindness - possible cause of mid airs?

Motion blindness, when an object seems to disappear when it’s in front of a moving background,might explain some mid air collisions. It’s certainly a great excuse for people practicing formationflying! Follow this link for a demonstration. http://www.msf-usa.org/motion.html

Simon’s Yak 54 - the pilot could take no more andbailed out.