2013 UK Events and the AHA

[ian694]

Hi All,

Just a brief update on what the AHA has been doing over the past couple of months.

The AHA is always looking at ways to encourage new entrants into competitions. In 2013 there will be fewer events (3 league events and the BMFA & Scottish Nationals) but they will be held over 2 days as opposed to single day events seen in previous years. The Saturday would be a “funfly” with the competitions being held on the Sunday. It is hoped more people would be willing to travel if they could get 2 full days flying. We will be holding 3D (F3N) and precision aerobatic (Sportsmans/F3C) together at the events, as well as Scale demonstrations, so there will be something for everyone whether you want to fly or just spectate.

The AHA will of course continue to organise and host the traditional twice yearly Charmouth fun fly on the South Coast as well as these other events.

Due to the lack of entrants over the past couple of seasons, the Clubman’s schedule has now been withdrawn. Whilst some people have said that they were going enter, unfortunately this hasn’t happened over the past couple of years resulting in competitions being cancelled.

With the funfly/contest format why not come and support the AHA and have ago at a competition instead of just watching? You get to fly at some of the best clubs in the country, speak to the best pilots in the UK and at some venues there are an unlimited supply of burgers and hotdogs. Even if you can’t manage the entire schedule, just come and fly the manoeuvres that you are comfortable with.

I will post details on upcoming events, we are just waiting for the venues to be finalised before they are posted on the AHA Website www.theaha.co.uk

Regards

Ian

[ian694]

Hi all,
I’m just trying to gauge people’s opinions and some constructive comments on the changes that have been made for the AHA 2013 season here in the UK to try and encourage more people to have a go at competition flying.
Are fewer weekend events more appealing than lots of single day events held in previous years?
Is it a good idea to combine F3C/F3N and Sportsman’s events?
Should we have kept the Clubman’s schedule?
Regards
Ian Emery

[ian694]

Hi all
The dates and venues have now been confirmed for this year’s events. More details cans be found on the aha website www.theaha.co.uk. Hopefully we will see some new faces there this year.

6 April Gumley (Season Opener)
20/21 April Charmouth
12 May Tring (Round 1)
1/2 June Bexhill-On-Sea (Round 2)
17/18 August Dartford (Round 3)
24/26 August Barkston Heath (British Nationals, Round 4)

Regards

Ian Emery

[ian694]

Hi all

This weekend is the season opening event at Gumley. This not a competition but an informal get together for a good days flying and chatting before the flying season gets underway. For more details please consult the AHA website (www.theaha.co.uk), Start time is usually around 10am.

Regards

Ian

[ian694]

Hi All,

Sorry for the late post but I would just like to thank everybody that attended the season opener at Gumley, especially the members of Leicester Model Aero Club who looked after us all day and made us feel so welcome. It was really good to see some new faces there, hopefully they will be able to make it to Tring.


AHA News update

1) Charmouth - With Charmouth fast approaching the AHA has invested in some artificial tracking to make entry and exit of the field easier should the weather gods again attempt to do their worst! The farmer will also be laying gravel so we hope there will be no more issues with the field entrance (fingers crossed). All the usual events will held again along with the indoor Saturday night competition with the chance to win free accommodation at the next Charmouth. Remember Charmouth is free for AHA members!

2) Membership Packs - The first batch are now at the printers and we hope to have them within the next week or so.

3) Don't forget the next AHA event is at Charmouth on the 20/21 April 2013.

Regards

Ian

[ian694]

Hi All,

Just a quick reminder that it is the first Round of the AHA competitions this Sunday (12 May 2013) at Tring. Details on how to find the site can be found on the AHA website and the pilots briefing is at 09:30 am. It would be great if we had a good turnout to really get this Seasons flying underway. Also please see below a message from the AHA Chairman regarding Charmouth, sorry it's so long after the event but I've had a busy few weeks.

Regards

Ian

Thank you to everyone who attended this years opening Charmouth. The weather was kind to us at last and resulted in nearly 200 pilots booking in and flying over the 2 days. We hope you enjoyed yourselves and look forward to seeing you again in the Autumn, the dates for which we can confirm as being the 5th and 6th October. Please find some important information regarding this, and future events, below:

1) Chris Newby left his starter (Sullivan) at the field on Sunday evening, and it wasn't there when he returned to collect it. If anybody has seen it, or has information on where it may be, please let Chris (or ourselves) know.

2) Newlands has received a complaint regarding somebody flying a helicopter in the early hours of the morning (approx 2am) by the caravans. Please understand there are other holiday makers staying at the site and pay them some courtesy and respect. We have a good relationship with Newlands and silly antics could cost us our event. We all want to have fun and a good time but we should do so in a way that is not going to cause disruption to others.

3) Despite the torrid past 6 months of near constant rain we did manage to get the majority of people in and out of the field successfully. However please realise that we are not miracle workers and this is an event which is held in a field, in England. If it rains the ground will get soft and there is precious little we can do about that. Whilst cars and small vans had no trouble in the field it was clear it could not support the larger vans and mobile homes. Hopefully we will have a reasonable summer this year which gives the field a chance to drain and revive itself. If however we endure another wet summer then we may have to enforce entrance restrictions (cars and small vans only) at the October event. We hope this won't be the case but will review things nearer the time. We will ensure to communicate any decisions as widely and clearly as we can so as to cause as little inconvenience as possible.

Many Thanks

The AHA.

[ian694]

Hi All,

Sorry, Round 1 is actually 12 May 2013. Moral of the story is double check your post before submitting

Regards

Ian

[ian694]

Hi All,

A change to the timing on Sunday. Pilots briefing is now at 09:00. Just to confirm that depending on the number of participants we are hoping to run Scale, F3C, F3N and Sportsmans competitions.

Regards

Ian

[ian694]

Hi All,

Unfortunately due to the poor weather forecast for tomorrow. It has been decided to cancel the event. It is hoped that the event can be rescheduled for another date and I will post details as they are released.

Regards

Ian

[ian694]

Hi All,

This weekend (1st & 2nd June 13) is the Bexhill fun fly and round 2 of this year's AHA competition. The fun fly will be held on Saturday and Competition on Sunday. We are hoping to run Sportsmans, F3C, F3N and Scale Competitions

Camping facilities are available with toilet facilities and there will be a Barbeque both days.

Please come along and show your support, it has all the ingredients for a great weekends flying. Start time will be 9 O'clock, more details can be found on the AHA website.

Regards

Ian Emery

[ian694]

Hi all,


After a long break for the World Championships, there is a fun fly and competition at Dartford this weekend. Following the usual 2013 format there will be a fun fly on the Saturday, with F3C/F3N team trials and Sportsman's competition on the Sunday. As always it would be great to see some new faces there, so if your at a loose end this weekend please come and join us.


Regards


Ian

[ian694]

Hi All

Just a reminder that Charmouth is fast approaching (5th/6th October). We have everything in place for hopefully another great weekend of fun and flying. The long range weather forecast is even looking promising!

Once again we will have:

Saturday night indoor competition
Timed Hover + Autospot
Best in show Scale award.. (note.. this will be whatever takes our fancy.. so not necessarily the best in show, but maybe the best scale magazine on the pilots seat!)
Catering
Raffle

We've made some effort to space out the flight stations and give some more room to those sport pilots wanting some space away from the main 3D line.

Whilst we've had a good summer and the weather forecast looks good, please remember it is a field.. in England. If we think your vehicle is going to damage the field and cause problems to others then don't be surprised if we don't let you in the field to park. Everything up to lightly loaded Transits are generally fine, however if you fancy bringing in some 5 tonne monster then please, please, please think about others who will ultimately have to push you out if we don't stop you!

Look forward to seeing you all at the flying field.. or at the bar!

Regards

Ian