Back in July, we held the second area fun fly competition day of the year, in conjunction with the London area and the British Fun Fly Association at the Bickley Club’s site, near Dartford. Around twenty pilots arrived for a day of Fun Fly competitions with a wide variety of models, mostly normal club sport or Fun Fly types. This was a very informal day with the emphasis definitely on having fun, just by taking part!
There were three competitions held throughout the day, starting off with a nice, simple Climb & Glide. This was done in three heats, with everyone taking off together for a 15 second climb, then glide for as long as possible.
The winners of the heats then went to a final and a winner was declared.
The second round was a Fun Fly classic, being the Limbo. This was a limbo with a difference though, with no tape!! The 6ft poles were put up a good distance apart and then a sighter watched across the poles and if a model went too high on a pass within their two minutes, they got a ‘Gong’ which was much less intimidating for the more inexperienced pilots and also added much entertainment at the same time!
The last round was Touch & Go Pylon Racing, which proved very popular and again, entertaining. Each pilot started in the Touch and Go 21ft square, then flew to a pylon with a flagman. Once the flag dropped, they turned round, came back to the square, turned round again, did a touch and go in the square, then flew off to the pylon again. This was done five times with the winner being the pilot finishing in the quickest time – great fun!
At the end of the day, a great time was had by all and everyone took home a modelling prize from Perkins and some goodies from Avicraft. Thanks to the Bickley Club for their great hospitality and to everyone for entering into the true spirit of Fun Fly, which is great, very affordable competition while having a great deal of fun in the process, whatever your ability or experience.
If you would like to join in next year, please keep an eye on this area website and email updates for next year’s dates. We’d really like to see you and your club mates joining in the fun too!
James Gordon – BFFA