jomacblog

2012-01-29T20:13:00.002+02:00

Large tug...

and larger gliders

This is Adrian's new 5 metre Alpina

Here's clip of its first take off.

2012-01-22T09:16:00.001+02:00

Denis' new Zero had it's first flight today.

Duncan's Slick 540.

2012-01-15T16:46:00.003+02:00

Mike's new scale Bocian SZD - 9 1e.

2012-01-01T09:01:00.000+02:00

Here's something to get 2012 off to a good start...

2011-12-24T21:10:00.002+02:00

The Christmas Eve Brigade.

2011-12-18T15:23:00.001+02:00

Getting ready to fly...

Jon

Izak

and Andrew

2011-12-11T15:45:00.001+02:00

The new frequency board, and very good it looks too.

2011-12-03T17:10:00.001+02:00

At lunch time on Saturday a storm approached the field. Luckily it passed to the North.

The gentlemen (sic) of JOMAC.

2011-11-27T16:51:00.001+02:00

With the support of his trusty associates, Jon and Dave, Valter flew his Sopwith Pup.

Here's a short clip.

Photography by Luke (use the Force) Godwin

2011-11-20T09:10:00.001+02:00

Andrew's Toledo Special.

Some more photos of Jon's Tiger Moth. Denis says it won an award at Oudtshoorn 2011 for the most realistic flyer. You can see why.

2011-11-13T09:59:00.001+02:00

Did a full size Spitfire make a low pass over JOMAC on Saturday, or was it Greg's scale model. You decide.

2011-11-06T16:42:00.002+02:00

Flemming's electric glider now has an on-board variometer. Well, more than just a variometer. It's combined with a GPS device. It measures, records and transmits not only the rise and fall of the aircraft but also speed, height, location -- the Full Monty.
The feedback to the pilot is by a rising and falling tone punctuated every now and then by a businesslike female voice giving height above ground.
The tube attached to the fin is a Total Energy Sensor. This allows the device to integrate the kinetic and potential energy of the aircraft. In theory, if the aircraft loops, exchanging speed with height around the loop, the device will give out a constant tone. And so it does. I've seen it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears.
Remarkable.

2011-10-30T06:05:00.003+02:00

Dave's colourful Farmhand.

50 cc petrol engine.

Made from plans and a short kit from RC Modelworld.

2011-10-23T19:50:00.000+02:00

A couple more shots of Alex and his electric Four Square.

Durban Deep Radio Flyers, wetting of new runway and get together

2011-10-16T09:16:00.001+02:00

We went to DDRF by invitation for the "Wetting of the New Runway". Ted and his grandson went as well.

More photos here

Here's a short clip of some of the DDRF helicopters.

2011-10-09T20:43:00.002+02:00

Launching an Easy Glider.

2011-10-02T09:53:00.000+02:00

A bunch of helicopters

Not sure who the pilot is, but as you can see, it was quite windy.

UAV demonstrations and the Intervarsity Flight Challenge

2011-09-25T22:08:00.003+02:00

More information on the SAMAA BLOG

2011-09-17T20:56:00.002+02:00

Jon's Ju 87, getting ready for Oudtshoorn.

Discussing possible new locations for JOMAC.

Ken's Electric Omega.

Muti at JOMAC

2011-09-11T15:45:00.002+02:00

Let's hope these strange devices keep the bad guys away.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

2011-09-04T17:41:00.000+02:00

Donovan's Minimoa.

Sun Power

2011-08-28T17:23:00.001+02:00

THE Paris Air Show, one of the oldest and biggest events of its kind, gets under way at Le Bourget on June 20th with many of the exhibitors keen to promote greener aviation. Besides aircraft powered by biofuel and new lightweight fuel-saving designs, such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, there is plenty of other kit promising to help make aircraft more efficient. But nothing could match the rather ungainly bird that touched down on runway 21 in the evening on June 14th.

The aircraft, known as HB-SIA, has the wingspan of a jumbo jet but just a tiny single-person cockpit. It is designed to be powered only by sunlight. HB-SIA was built by a Swiss-based project called Solar Impulse, which was set up by Bertrand Piccard, an adventurer who helped to pilot the first balloon to fly around the world, and André Borschberg, a fighter pilot and engineer. Their ultimate aim with Solar Impulse is to build an aircraft that can circle the world using only the power of the sun.

More here

2011-08-21T08:58:00.001+02:00

There are new and updated photos from Ted -- see link at right hand side of the page.

2011-08-20T21:05:00.001+02:00

Ted's new Hawker Hurricane.

More photos here.

2011-08-14T15:40:00.001+02:00

More vandalism at the club.

The SGM called to discuss the the termination of the lease in February 2012

On a better note, Jon's 1/3 scale Tiger Moth.

It even takes off a little crookedly, just like the full size one.

2011-08-06T20:26:00.003+02:00

It's easy to get disorientated if your helicopter goes inverted.

Ask Steve.

GAA League comp at JOMAC

2011-07-31T15:42:00.001+02:00

Perfect weather.

More photos here.

2011-07-24T16:19:00.002+02:00

Basil's new Ava E. It drew many admiring glances. And when it flew all were impressed.

Here's a clip of its first launch, Francois doing the honours.

(click on the clip for a larger version)

2011-07-17T10:16:00.003+02:00

Model helicopters are works of miniature engineering art.

Here's Gerald's Cabrinha, now with a four cell battery.

2011-07-10T17:02:00.000+02:00

I lost my glider at the field today. I'd just come off the top of a bungee launch when I was dazzled by the sun and lost sight of it. I never saw it again. It was at about 50 M over the car park heading East into the wind.

With the help of several other JOMAC members, and many thanks to them all, I searched all around, but no luck.

If you came across a 2,5 M glider, with a V tail and yellow and black wings, give me a shout. It may be mine.

2011-07-02T17:03:00.001+02:00

Jon does not like ARTF aircraft. Someone once said, (I think it was Andrew), that he even dislikes ARTF tea. He prefers to brew up at the flying field.

Vintage Aircraft Fly In number 249

2011-06-26T16:14:00.000+02:00

The morning was very cold and windy and the wise Old Timers stayed at home. Only the daft ones, that is to say me and Ted, went out to JOMAC. This was a pity as by 1100 the weather was pleasant.

Then, Francois' new 5 metre Thermik XL had its first flight.

Here's a short clip...

2011-06-19T10:37:00.000+02:00

Dave's bipe with Valter assisting...click on the graphic for a larger slide show.

Here's a clip of Greg's Spitfire.

Large Scale Glider Fly In at Warthog Radio Flyers

2011-06-12T15:11:00.003+02:00

The usual brigade represented JOMAC -- Francois, Howard, Mike, Ken, Adrian and Stuart with his super tug. This was just as well as Chris Adrian's tug met with misfortune.

Here's Chris' tug.

Mike May's 8M DG 505

Mike's 4M Nimbus just after take off.

I'm not sure whose this strange machine is.

2011-06-05T16:23:00.001+02:00

Hilton's extra large Stik had its first flight today. It is powered by an RCG 26 cc petrol engine.
Unfortunately both the fin and rudder came off in flight leaving it with no yaw stability. Luckily he managed to land in the grass with no further damage.

Here's a short clip...

2011-05-28T15:55:00.002+02:00

Here's a clip of the O'Donovan Twin Mustang...

2011-05-22T15:37:00.001+02:00

Malcolm's electric AddictionX

and his o/d Eratix

Here's a short clip.

2011-05-14T20:36:00.001+02:00

I wish my wiring and control cables looked as neat as this -- inside Valter's Chipmunk.

High Altitude Long Endurance

2011-05-08T08:53:00.001+02:00

The unmanned aircraft has a wing span of 18 meters but weighs only 30 kg, utilizing a structure constructed of carbon fibers and powered by solar energy generated by amorphous silicon arrays covering the aircraft’s wings. These cells, no thicker than sheets of paper also form the wing's airfoil. The hand-launched drone uses different energy resources during the different flight phases. By day it flies on solar power generated by part of the solar arrays. By night it is powered by rechargeable lithium-sulphur batteries that are recharged during the day using solar power.

More info at these links...
Defense Update
Aero Society Channel
Global Observer -- good video clip here.

2011-05-01T19:48:00.011+02:00

Colin's Tiger Moth had its first flight today.

Here's a clip, (of its second flight).

2011-04-23T15:22:00.001+02:00

Wolfgang Matt, twice World Champion, gives advice at the aerobatic clinic.

2011-04-17T14:05:00.001+02:00

Look at that low cloud...

...only the most optimistic of aeromodellers were at the field this morning -- Dave, Valter and...

...Alex.

2011-04-10T10:16:00.000+02:00

Greg's big new electric Sea Fury

Denis' immaculate Big Stuff..

... here's a clip of a take off.

2011-04-03T15:18:00.000+02:00

Many gliders at the field today taking advantage of the perfect weather.

Here's the aero tow queue.

And then of course there were Ken's shoes. Something of a fashion statement.

2011-03-27T11:24:00.004+02:00

Windsock mast stolen, what next?

George's new big T Rex, no fly bar. Gyros give a degree of automatic stabilization. Fly-By-Wire comes to model aircraft.

Here's a short clip.

2011-03-20T15:24:00.005+02:00

The RCGF 50cc petrol engine in Valter's new 1/4 scale DH Chipmunk

The new XYZ 53 cc petrol engine in Adrian's glider tug.

The brands RCGF and XYZ are clearly two of the People's Republic's finest.

The engine suffered from a high speed miss, perhaps a faulty plug.

Here's a clip

2011-03-12T20:22:00.003+02:00

Some strange flying machines at the field this afternoon.

Ted's Pilatus with its new engine..

... a 30 cc DLE petrol one -- a pair of elegant socks in the background.

And here's a short clip.

AGM 2011

2011-03-06T19:25:00.001+02:00

The committee from last year was re-elected unopposed. See rouges gallery in the links at the right of the page.
On another matter entirely, I was today wearing braces with a Union Jack pattern. This lead to several scornful remarks about the cricket. Perhaps people spoke too soon -- ha ha.

Here's a clip of Donovan's Wilga tug in action.

Old Timers (and Vintage Aircraft)

2011-02-27T21:09:00.000+02:00

It's a Sunday afternoon some time in the early nineteen fifties. My brother and I are flying a Paageboy with a Mills 0,75 diesel engine. The Paageboy is a Vic Smeed design for the Aeromodeller Free Flight Payload competition for 1cc engines.
We are on the tarmac apron in front of the empty hangars at Cranborne Airfield, a disused RAF training site just outside Salisbury in Southern Rhodesia.
Inside the hangars in the darkness are the ghosts of Harvards and their crews. Outside is bright sunlight.
We have several good flights before we break the prop.
We are members of the Mashonaland Model Engineering Society. Bill Heckler, a raffish fellow with thinning hair and a military moustache, runs the society.
He has spark ignition petrol engines in some of the classic American free flight aircraft, including a Goldberg Sailplane. These are beautifully built with balsa wood and covered with silk and nitrate dope.
Bill Heckler drives a modified Ford Zephyr; we have bicycles. He travels to South Africa for "The Nats". He is our hero.

It's over half a century later at JOMAC, meeting number 244 of the Chapter of Vintage Aircraft Pilots. I still have the Mills 0,75, this time it's in a radio controlled Tomboy. There are present many Old Timers and Vintage Aircraft. Balsa wood is still the material of choice for construction. A least one aircraft is covered with doped tissue. Some are moving to the Dark Side with electric motors and film covering. All are stately old ladies of the air.

Wherever he is now, Bill Heckler approves.

A 1,5 cc PAW diesel engine, Stan's I think.

Flemming working on his Red Zephyr.

Valter's Quaker 2.

Fergus' electric Slicker Mite complete with dummy Amco .87 engine. It's covered with doped tissue.

Ted's Bulldozer and Archangel. That's my Tomboy in the background.

Actually Ted had more luck with his little free flight rubber powered job. You could call it an ARF. Colin will disapprove.

And here is Colin with his electric Lanzo Record Holder.

2011-02-19T19:55:00.001+02:00

New gates -- thanks Steve.

Donovan's 1/4 scale Wilga Tug.

Here's a clip of its first take off.

2011-02-13T19:16:00.000+02:00

Ken's big electric ASH 26

Here's a short clip of the launch, note the aileron deflection just after release,

And here's Charlie's ducted fan model, needed some trim adjustment.

2011-02-05T21:37:00.001+02:00

Steve has filled the wash-aways in the road with gravel.

Here's clip of Donovan filling in the holes on the glider field to allow safe aero tows: a real labour of love

2011-01-30T15:34:00.000+02:00

The Scourge of the Skies, Alex' Fokker Eindecker...

...complete with a scale version of Max Immelmann, after whom the famous turn is named.

No Sunday would be complete without Colin, in characteristic pose.

2011-01-23T09:38:00.001+02:00

Four new aircraft came to the field today to make their First Flights. Well, for one that shall remain nameless, it was the First Official Flight.

Andy's FW 190.

The Rogers' Jungmann.

Izak's P 51b...

...needed a little help from his friends.

The Rogers' Ultimate...

...also required some TLC.

2011-01-16T14:12:00.000+02:00

Misty with patches of drizzle. Only the hardiest of aeromodellers were at the field this morning, (Dave and Valter). On the way out I passed Flemming coming in. By this time more than drizzle was coming down.

2011-01-09T09:00:00.000+02:00

Dave with his Cap, 231 I think. Denis assisting.

2011-01-02T21:59:00.000+02:00

Peter working on the carb of his 50cc DL petrol engine.

Ted and Alex.

2010-12-25T06:24:00.000+02:00

Here's wishing JOMAC members warm greetings for the Festive Season.

2010-12-19T16:20:00.001+02:00

Charlie and Colin, the Two Wise Men, in serious conversation. But I don't think it was about model aircraft. As I recall it had to do with torque wrenches and BMW engines.

The charging daisy chain: lead / acid accumulator, charger, balancer, LiPo battery.

2010-12-11T16:27:00.002+02:00

Andy's FW 190. Power is a DLE 30cc petrol engine. There was some problem with the attachment of the prop that necessitated much fettling. Actually he wasn't the only one to fettle. The O'Donovan Yak had all sorts of electrical problems. There was almost more fettling than flying this afternoon.

2010-12-08T08:40:00.000+02:00

Have a look at the new layout for the main web site.
Steve has been the driving force here.

2010-12-05T15:41:00.000+02:00

Colin's e-Butterfly

The OS 55GT petrol engine in Harry's Stik.

2010-11-27T19:59:00.001+02:00

More work on the windsock mast. Or perhaps to put it another way, "Six Munz Ago I Cudn’t Spel Injuneer Now I Are One!

The Rogers' Jug

Andy's Ju 87.

The DLE 55 cc petrol engine on Brian's Yak 55. The "battery" is ballast.

2010-11-21T20:54:00.000+02:00

Basil's new car -- he has the same old aircraft though.

There was the spoor of many cows on the glider field today.

2010-11-14T10:04:00.001+02:00

Greg's big new Spitfire had it's first flight today. Unfortunately it suffered slight damage to its wingtips on landing.

Ted's photos

2010-11-07T20:54:00.001+02:00

For some time now Ted has been taking pictures of flying at JOMAC. He gave me a selection of the best photos -- and they really are quite extraordinary. You can see all 114 of them here.

JOMAC Family Day

2010-11-07T16:12:00.000+02:00

More photos here.

2010-10-30T17:48:00.000+02:00

These are the real owners of the flying field.

Some work on the wind sock.

Someone asked me today why there were so few photos of helicopters on the BLOG. So Steve, here's a picture of yours.

2010-10-24T21:04:00.001+02:00

The Nathans' Grob motor glider.

2010-10-17T15:41:00.000+02:00

Although it was windy it was a very good day for gliding.

2010-10-09T15:11:00.001+02:00

Valter's 1/3 scale Spacewalker

Daves Ultimate bipe, 50cc DL petrol engine.

2010-10-03T15:29:00.000+02:00

Peter's Dago Red.

Summer's here, you can see Adrian's knees.

Progress report on Colin -- Schalk Rabe

2010-09-26T17:30:00.000+02:00

Colin took a walk down the road today, his stitches are out and the dressings have been discarded, so he is rapidly returning to full health.

Chris Freeman built and equipped an electric Sig Kadett Junior which he presented to Colin today as a get well gift from all the Vintage Flyers.

Needless to say Colin is deeply moved by this and can't wait to fly her!

A big thank you to Chris !

Best wishes,

Schalk, Jolene and Stan

2010-09-19T14:32:00.000+02:00

Adrian's 1:3,5 scale Slingsby Skylark 4 had its first flight today.

Here's a short clip of aero tow launches.

News of Colin's back operation -- Schalk Rabe

2010-09-13T10:03:00.001+02:00

We saw Colin over the weekend and are happy to report that he is progressing well. The medical staff get him out of bed for a short and assisted walk each day and although unsteady, he manages.

He is now able to receive visitors more freely and would love to see you.

As a reminder - he is in Section 8 on the first floor of Garden City Clinic and as he in a private room visiting times are fairly flexible, other than at mealtimes and when he is receiving medical attention.

Regards,

Schalk, Jolene and Stan

2010-09-11T21:26:00.001+02:00

Harry's MVVS Evolution petrol engine. There's some fine engineering in that carb. Equally fine is the on-board starter. No messing about flicking the prop, just a switch on the transmitter, very cool -- see clip below.

2010-09-05T14:22:00.000+02:00

...but no sign of the Red Baron.

2010-08-29T12:58:00.001+02:00

Hilton's electric twin -- had it's first flight today

Howard's new Speed Astir.

Stuart's is bigger than mine. Stuart's Stinger tug plane and my 8 inch Stinger free flight catapult launched glider.
In case you can't see it on the wing here's a close-up.

2010-08-22T21:40:00.000+02:00

What Jon calls 360 degree perfect weather.

Bobby's Pilatus.

2010-08-15T16:00:00.000+02:00

Alex with his Kadet and electric Stik.

Stuart's super tug was hard at work giving aerotow launches.

2010-08-09T10:31:00.000+02:00

I built a Tomboy with a fifty year old Mills 0.75 diesel engine. It still runs well but the contra piston is a little loose so that the compression setting backs-off when it runs.
Denis suggested fitting a short length of fuel tube to give more friction, and Steve thought that plumber's tape around the compression screw would fix it.
I've used both these ideas to good effect. Thanks.

2010-08-07T19:43:00.001+02:00

The O'Donovan Stearman.

2010-08-01T17:01:00.000+02:00

Basil's SHK.

Here's a short clip of the take-off, Howard at the controls.

2010-07-24T20:09:00.001+02:00

Two P38s at the field today.

Possible interference on 35,170

2010-07-18T15:57:00.002+02:00

There was an incident on Sunday morning of possible interference on 35,170.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so we need to build up a dossier for investigation by ICASA.

2010-07-18T15:35:00.010+02:00

Ken's new one third scale Slingsby Skylark 1.

Here's a short clip of its first flight.

2010-07-10T21:44:00.004+02:00

Rebuilt braai.

Refurbished paving around the transmitter pound.

...and even musical accompaniment.

2010-07-04T16:54:00.003+02:00

Howard was back at the field today after barg(e)ing around France for five weeks. Here's his electric glider.

He wondered if he could still fly.

He could, (nice hat Howard).

Vintage aircraft meeting number 236

2010-06-27T16:31:00.007+02:00

Here are some of the Old Timers.

Flemming, hands in pockets staring into the sky.

Colin taking it easy. Basil's caption for this photo is " A Picture of Innocence".

Ted.

A serious matter.

2010-06-19T20:17:00.003+02:00

Fire at the field today.

Here's the O'Donovan Fun fly machine.

2010-06-13T17:04:00.005+02:00

Here's something you don't see everyday at JOMAC.

2010-06-05T19:40:00.005+02:00

The three wise men.

Brian demonstrating the one flick start on his re-built Stinger.

Steve.

Good weather, good attendance.

2010-05-30T16:34:00.000+02:00

Peter suffering from the cold weather.

2010-05-22T20:51:00.001+02:00

Denis' Big Stuff, now with a respectable paint job.

2010-05-16T19:19:00.003+02:00

Ken's new Waco biplane.

The Mays, senior and junior, rigging.

Stuart's tug on a life support drip.

2010-05-08T20:12:00.003+02:00

Renovation still under way

David's new 62cc RCGF petrol engine had its first run today.

2010-05-02T21:06:00.003+02:00

Plenty of aerotowing today. Here's a short clip with some extra airborne shots from Stuart. He's given me a whole lot of footage taken from his Supertug.

2010-04-25T17:20:00.003+02:00

Cold wet and windy this weekend, better to stay indoors.

2010-04-17T19:43:00.004+02:00

Refurbishing the TX pound. Di and...

...David painting. Others getting on with the important business of flying, (ha ha).

The frequency board now has more space for 2,4GHz equipment.

ZS ROG. Roger's SU32.

2010-04-11T09:18:00.005+02:00

Maintenance work, leveling and repairing the paving.

Testing the paint for the tables.

Jon's Aeroworks Extra.

FC's electric pattern aircraft.

Denis' new Big Stuff.