Team Update #12 - Donations, Planes & Markings

The team would like to thank the fine folks at RCFCBC for their generous donation towards our upcoming trip.   Whether it's a club, company or personal donation, they are all greatly appreciated!!!  Check out the club's website at https://www.rcfcbc.ca/

Chad has been hard at work getting his Nexus #2 ready for flight. This is his backup airframe that he will take to Australia. What an amazing result after using rattle cans to apply his legendary paint scheme! Looks great!

 

Michi will head up island this weekend to fly at the Comox Valley site. I've loaned him some batteries (mine are just sitting around these days!) that will allow a larger practice window for him without having to manage batteries.  

Plane Markings - Also some changes to the way we need to mark our air frames for the upcoming competition. In the past, it's been the country code followed by our personal MAAC number but now it is Country Code and then your FAI ID Number (that is found on your FAI license).  New decals being cut now! :-)

Team Update #11 - Donations

What an amazing community we live in! Last evening I received an email from long time flyer, fellow club member and friend, Steve Lyne. Steve and Maria had been away on a huge European vacation and wanted, once again, to support the team with a donation.  They came through with flying colors and we thank them for this support. Simply fantastic!

With the hobby hobbled by Transport Canada regulations, the lack of interest in anything radio control has been quite evident.  Our part of the hobby, precision aerobatics (along with sailplanes) has been the hardest hit with the 400' ceiling. Any support, however small, is greatly appreciated!

If you or anyone you know is interested in making a donation towards our efforts please contact me for details.  dave.reaville@gmail.com

Team Update #10 - RCAA Comox Valley rocks!!

The great RC community has come together to help support one of our team members. Michi Akimoto had been delt a brutal hand, first by the loss of the exemption and subsequent implementation of Transport Canada's rules governing RPAS which in turn caused the complete loss of flying privileges at his local club in Victoria. 

Not to be outdone by this impediment, he contacted the PDQ flyers, became a member & arranged for weekend accommodation. For a brief period, this allowed him to continue to practice but sadly, due to heat and the heightened fire situation in the area, the PDQ field was recently shut down. Not to be deterred again, he contacted the folks up in Comox and paid them a visit to see the club setup (it’s actually a dual purpose RC and full scale aerodrome!). After some back and forth messages between myself and Mike McCrindle, the club exec of the RCAA Comox Valley offered Michi full access to their facility in order to practice for the upcoming Worlds in Australia!!! 

 It will require some local orientation and training of procedures but this small gesture on the clubs part, means a great deal to Michi, the team and highlights the brotherhood of the rc community in which we live. Simply fantastic! 

 I suspect that some demonstrations of precision aerobatics will be coming soon the the Comox Valley! Maybe even get some guys out for the Sportsman level!

Please take some time and check out their web page at  https://rcaa.ca/

 

Team Update #9 - Boise/Comox

 In late June, Michi headed off to Boise, Idaho for the Treasure Valley Pattern Contest in NSRCA's District 8. He went by himself as he is trying to get as much flying in as possible. He had a good time with the boys down there and enjoyed the trip. 

 

 With his local club shut down due to airspace issues and his back up club, the Parksville District and Qualicum Flyers (PDQ) field, also forced to close due to a heightened fire threat, he has stretched his drive time to include the folks up in Comox, BC at the RCAA Flying site.  Website here.... https://rcaa.ca/

 

Michi at RCAA

 

It has certainly been a tough go for him on the island. With a little more than a month until departure to Australia, he is doing his best to prepare. Both Chad and Henry have been able to use their home fields to facilitate practice.

 

Storm about to chase Chad home!