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Message from the Chairman,

Thanks for looking into the new web site for the Dunelm Model flying club. As a starter to our new site just thought I would take a minute to introduce myself and tell you about the club. Firstly, I am David Walker and have the enviable role as Chairman of the club. My model flying career started way back in 1960 when as a school boy I ventured into the world of Control line flying with models such as Dominator, Razorblade and Marquis. Radio was beyond my means at this point. After a layoff for College and riding motorcycle trials, which I still do, I got back into the hobby in 1980 after a back injury slowed down the motorcycling activity. Being bored, I built a small glider from a plan and the rest as they say is history, still going strong after 30 years. Went the very traditional route of the high wing trainer, I can not remember what it was, just remember it was broken and repaired frequently after testing its strength bouncing  into Terra Firma. I can however remember my first radio set which was a Sanwa Excellence unit. Model memory 1, no servo reversing and only rates on the up and down bit on the tail and the wiggly bits on the wings. After my early days of Control line this was indeed a luxury and gave excellent service for many flights. I have flown aerobatics but now enjoy all types of planes. I intend posting a few photographs of these on the web site. Work still limits building and flying time for me, but I am really enjoying my current build which is a 10ft span plan built Piper Pawnee which at the moment is planned to be painted in the Yorkshire Gliding club red and white colour scheme and will use a 56cc petrol engine.

Of course a large aircraft is not a must and we have at the other end of spectrum members who fly small gliders with a 1cc diesel power assist unit, or traditional 40 glow powered ARTF models. 

As well as the BMFA I am also a member of the Large Model association and at the moment flying either a Flair Hannibal or a Taylorcraft which is a Piper cubstyle aircraft but with more aerobatic capability. Both use Zenoah petrol engines. If you have visited any of the LMA shows you may even have had a pleasure of hearing me doing a little of the show commentary.

We are a small club but would like to expand a little. All types of models are welcome but unfortunately excluding helicopters simply because we have found that the flying style of fixed wing vs helicopter do not mix well. As you can see from our flying times we can fly all day every day which makes the club ideally suited for either retired gents or, like me, those who still work for a living, Saturdays or Sundays work well. Another added advantage is safe on-site car parking.

I really enjoy my flying at the club field with a small band of like minded gents, so if you wish to come along and join us why not get in touch. We will be expanding the site so drop in now and then to see what is new.

On behalf of the club, thanks for taking the time to have a look at our small website and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

David Walker