Radio Controlled Model Aircraft - is anybody interested?

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
10/04/2010 17:52

The hobby of 'Radio Controlled Model Aircraft' is a fascinating one!



Even with the loss of the Lefkosa flying field, another (official) site, on the road to Gazi Magusa, has been established and a road grader used to create a runway.



If anybody is interested in either the building, or flying, of model aircraft, please answer on this thread.

FISHNCHIPS


Joined: 08/03/2008
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 13:45

hi tenakoutou, i have long been interested in aircraft, and aircraft models, never got round to building a radio controlled one, what is available on the island in the way of model shops,supplies etc? i have been thinking of a reasonably cheap ready to fly, just to find my interest/fun level, do you build your own?, what do you fly?

cheers ken.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 14:08

one word - Expensive !



Even the cheap stuff is expensive...

YeniTom


Joined: 29/12/2009
Posts: 198

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 14:36

Hi



Been a radio modeller since I was 15. Had all sorts. At the moment I'm down to one Skyartec helicopter ( small one). I did have a 60" rotor span one which was brilliant.

The best times were when I was in the Army connected to aviation which meant that each airfield had a modellers club and a prescribed area as it's field.

I came back to UK and sort of gave it up as it had all become jobs for boys. I went to join a local club only to be told that although I had been doing it for 25 years I had to undergo a flying test to get a bronze flying permit and so on.

I used to build myself but nowadays I tend to go for RTF or ARTF. Comes in a box and just needs setting up.

It must be difficult trying to do it in the TRNC. There can't be many shops and online would be a difficult process with the postal system.

I hope you guys can get things together. You certainly have the weather for it.



Tom

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 19:05

YeniTom - I got onto your website - goodo!



Do you live at the Karpaz?



If you happen to come West of Kyrenia, you'll see 'Ship Inn' on your left shortly after the army camp - 200 metres further on you'll see 'Ronnies Furniture' on your right. Pull onto their forecourt (plenty of parking room), go into the shop (Kadir & I are 'modelling buddies'!) and ask for Roy - tell 'em you've come about the model planes (Turkish=UCAK) - I live a 'stones-throw' away.



We can have a coffee (or stronger!) and a natter and I've plenty to show you!



Same goes for you, FISHNCHIPS - but it seems from your profile that you're domiciled in Holland...



Hope yous can make it - it'll be good to meet yous!

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 19:27

Goodness, a model flying away; sounds like all my ex's!



Richard

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 19:40

Keep your models on control lines if your signal's not getting through, Richard!

YeniTom


Joined: 29/12/2009
Posts: 198

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 19:45

Hi

No, Karpaz is a holiday home - Leicester is home - unfortunately - I'd love to be TRNC fulltime.

I've cut and pasted your post and if ever I get that way then I'll drop in.

I actually took the chopper out this afternoon as we were taking our grand daughter to the park. Came back with the main rotor drive gear stripped!! It's only plastic. It didn't crash but closer examination shows that the motor has moved and the mesh was not deep enough. Oh well, good job I've got a spare.

I must get out a bit more but my motorbike is off the road at the moment and I'm putting that first.



I shall keep looking in here for any developements.



Tom

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 19:45

Msg 7

Is that 'fly by wire' technology which Airbus are still experimenting with?



Richard

Brinsley


Joined: 04/04/2009
Posts: 6858

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 19:52

Msg 8

Be careful taking your 'chopper' out here, long prison sentences for that sort of public exposed behaviour!



Richard

tonyhickey



Joined: 13/06/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
11/04/2010 21:14

Hi John

Could you tell me were the flying site is. I have just got back from north Cyprus today but will be back in August ,And would like to come and watch. Have been flying for about five years, Not to much in the last year have been to busy sorting out the new apartment near Tatisu

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
12/04/2010 06:54

My wife was driving along here one day when some numpty thought flying a model helicopter along in front of his car buzzing the oncoming traffic as he drove along would be a good wheeze... it beggars belief... or does it?

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
12/04/2010 08:32

Groucho: Presumably that was in UK? He must have been a damn good pilot cos it's difficult enough to even keep a heli in a hover!



Tonyhickey & YeniTom: The new flying site is on the gazi Magusa road. I haven't flown there yet, as we use the paddock behind Pumas Rugby Club stadium - not ideal. There's a long line of pine trees and a narrow dirt take-off strip alongside them and the wind is on the beam - not ideal for take-offs or landing - the rest is a 100+ donum area of rocks and tall, thick thistles with three telegraph poles almost at the end of the strip. last time out, as I was coming in on finals, I clipped one of the poles with the wingtip! Fortunately the model is now repaired and ready for my next prang! When I flew the autogyro there I landed in the scrub, because of the prevailing wind direction and bust a prop - fortunately no other damage. We are still looking for a decent flying site near Girne - it just shows how built up the place has become!

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
12/04/2010 09:34

What about the army reserve strip in Catalkoy behind the Gary Robb/Hz Omer site? It's not closed off and access is easy. Kids drive quads/bikes there.

YeniTom


Joined: 29/12/2009
Posts: 198

Message Posted:
12/04/2010 10:06

Msg12.

I've seen similar like on airfield perimeter tracks but never on public roads. Whoever it was must have more money than sense.........

Msg13.

It looks like the flying sites are going to be a bit away from where I holiday but keep us informed because like others, if I get over there I would drop in.



What are the laws on frequencies and flying near roads, buildings, estates, airfields etc. Do they have a CAA like body for large models? Is it similar to UK or just unregulated?



Tom

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
12/04/2010 12:08

If you are thinking of starting an informal "club" put me down for my sons membership.

tonyhickey



Joined: 13/06/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
12/04/2010 16:02

Can you use 2.4GHz in north Cyprus?

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
13/04/2010 08:57

You can use 35, 40, 41, 72 and 14 Mhz, and, of course, 2.4 Ghz.



I've just bought the Futaba FF7 2.4Ghz, which comes with 4 x Futaba 3152 digital servos. The Rx and servos are currently fitted into a Thunder Tiger MkIII trainer, c/w 'Hal' autopilot and Thunder Tiger 46 Pro motor - all brand new and unflown. If you're interested in RTF, come and see.



I'm currently refurbishing a 'Calmato' Sports 40 (low winger) - just the radio (Sanwa RD6000 Super) to install, + minor cosmetics!



Flying regulations: There don't appear to be ANY! No necessity for public liability insurance, radio licence, or BMFA 'A' type qualification.



The biggest problem is, for us Girne-ites, apparent non existence of a decent flying field.......so, if any one has any ideas....................

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
16/04/2010 09:51

TRNCVaughan/Msg 14:



Sorry I didn't, specifically, reply to your suggestion.



We did try to fly at a site near Catalkoy - I'll ask Kadir if the one you mention was it. Anyway, it wasn't successful - too many stones to be able to RoG (rise off ground) - also, liable to cause too much damage on landing - if one doesn't prang in the meantime!



As for a club, as such, I don't know of one - Sammi at the 'Model Ucak Centre' got the new flying field, on the way to Gazi Magusa, organised - so maybe there is one now.



If buying from Sammi's shop, he usually makes up the ARTF's and also gives a few free initial flying lessons, using the 'Buddy-Box' system ( 2 transmitters linked together). This is the best way to learn to fly - also, using a flight simulator helps a lot with that all important 'orientation' aspect.

cyprusairsoft



Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 2066

Message Posted:
16/04/2010 17:47

seen flying on the site at catalkoy



would think a group could prepare a safe landing area without stones and boulders

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
16/04/2010 23:23

cyprusairsoft/Msg 20:



So they could - but at what cost?



The stones and boulders are everywhere!



An interesting (off-putting!) update is: this flying 'club' near Gazi Magusa will allow a coupla free visits - from then on they require a 250TL per annum fee + 20TL per month in order to use the facility. I haven't visited the site yet, but for that sort of money every flight (provided you don't prang!) will cost a fortune when you consider the petrol cost of getting there and back - not forgetting there is a fair stretch of dirt road before you get there - pretty hard on a normal car.



For goodness sake - who is going to pay that sort of money for two months flying (weather either too hot or too bad the rest of the year) per year?



What d'yas all reckon?

tonyhickey



Joined: 13/06/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
17/04/2010 02:11

I don't know if this will help but I was looking for some land for flying last year, For when I retire to north Cyprus. I was talking to a chap in the uk who is building a villa in Cyprus near the power station and he was telling me his family own a lot of land in the area and would be prepared to rent some. I have not had chance to check out the land for suitability or price but if you have time I can try and get the land owners phone number so you can check it out. The flying 'club' near Gazi Magusa  fees work out about 3 pound a week does seem a bit high but a lot depends on the facilities and number of members .Remember with £600 plus in the air a decent landing area does help to save money

tony

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
17/04/2010 15:11

tonyhickey/Msg22:



As soon as they know you want to rent some land, even to use occasionally, out will come some astronomical rental fee demand, even if the land is otherwise useless! However, I will check this area out with Gary, who has a 'WOT 4' stored at my place. He did email me about a site in the area you mention - we will try and check it out soon and let you know.