Session Dates

General Information

13  December 2008
10  January 2009
14  February 2009
14  March 2009
11  April 2009
09  May 2009
13  June 2009
11  July 2009
08  August 2009
12  September 2009
10  October 2009
14  November 2009
12  December 2009

Time:  6pm to 10pm

Location:  Sutherland Basketball Stadium - Rawson Avenue Sutherland  NSW  2232

Cost:  $10 for Flyers     Free for Spectators

Phone Enquiries:  (02) 9525 7540 Business hours 7 days a week

Email :  sales@hstore.com.au

Sessions are planned for the 2nd Saturday of every month.
Date changes will only occur if the Basketball Stadium is needed for special events.
Any changes will be notified in advance on this website - Please remember to check for any changes/

Under 12 Years old    FREE (must be accompanied by experienced flyer). 
12 - 15 years              $5 can fly alone if experienced.

Your entry fee contributions are much appreciated and as they go towards covering the cost of venue hire and insurance. 

Dont forget!  We welcome any suggestions to help keep Indoor Flying fun for everyone .  Just email on sales@hstore.com.au or phone on (02) 9525 7540.

Another fantastic night - thanfully the stadium has warmed up!  As we have mentioned before, one of the most impressive aspects of our Indoor Flying nights is the imagination and creativity of the scracth-built models.  Its great to see so many youngsters making unique flying models using various components from less expensive models.  This enthusiasm from youngsters is exactly what we need to ensure that the hobby lives on. 
Two highlights of this session was Brendan Abbott's professional (and safe) 3D demonstration which was a flawless display of 3D heli flight....thanks Brendon!  The other notable highlight was Phil Giles' Concorde.  Thanks again to all the volunteers that helped to make the night successful.  See you next month!

It was great to see so many people considering the cold weather and the start of the Olympic Games.  Someone commented that our Sutherland Shire Indoor Flying had to be the biggest event of its kind in Australia - thanks to all of you who have made it that way!  It was great to see the guys from Nowra make the long journey again (thank you all for your help in setting up too!)  The new E-Flite Micro CX was demonstrated and proved itself to meet its performance expectations in every way - this one is going to be popular!  Unlike previous sessions not one plane got hung-up in the ceiling! We are starting to see a lot of experimenting with different types of Indoor Flyers - Mal Robertson met the challenge to turn a foam Space Shuttle chuck glider into an RC Model and succeeded although the end result was a bit too fast for indoor flying.  Someone else reported seeing another foam glider, a Nomad flying on the night!   2.4 gHz radios are proving to be extremely popular which could be due to the fact that they are included in so many kits these days. It has been suggested that we run separate sessions for fast and slow flyers which we think is a great idea and something we will implement next session.  We would like to see beginners to get involved and to know that we are available to help anyone who needs assistance to get going.  If there is enough demand we are happy to run a separate instructional session.  At this stage we have not introduced any flying competitions as we are mindful of cutting into peoples paid flying time but this is something we would like to introduce if we get enough interest - any suggestions on how to incorporate this would be appreciated.

Thats about all for August - looking forward to seeing everyone again next session.  Don't forget to check out the photographs.

Welcome to the World of Indoor Flight

Foamies Do's and Don'ts

Perfect Flight Conditions Everyday
Imagine that every time you wanted to fly your model plane, you would be greeted with perfect weather conditions-absolutely no wind, comfortable temperatures, low humidity, and available light twenty-four hours a day. "Utopia?" you might ask. No, just your local gymnasium, arena or golf dome! Welcome to the wonderful world of indoor electric flight.

Breakthroughs in battery technology, the use of strong, thin, high-density foams, small powerful radio components, and the continuing evolution of small, high-torque electric motors have literally made the sky (or in this case, the ceiling) the limit. The latest aircraft designs allow a pilot to perform an entire 3D schedule inside a gymnasium. Ultra light scale, ducted fan jets and multi-engine aircraft are also taking to the air in this "inside" atmosphere.

Another attraction with these types of models is the cost. Kits for basic airframes are very reasonably priced and many even include the motor and propeller. Add a speed control, battery and a basic radio, and you are in the air for next to nothing.

Large indoor flying events are coming of age.

There is no better time than the present to be involved in RC flying.
 

Technology and miniaturization have given us the opportunity to enjoy our hobby in comfort twelve months a year, regardless of conditions.

Written By:Terry Nitsch, Team JR
 

ParkZone Slo-V swoops through a gym.

Unlike other aircraft made of composites or balsa, there is particular care that must be taken with planes made from flat or injection-moulded foam, more commonly referred to as “Foamies”. While it may seem that it is simply a lighter and less expensive way to make a fuselage, there are some things that you must do differently with a Foamy.

Glue Do’s and Don’ts:
When you start to assemble your Foamy, the choice of glue is very important. Also, from time to time, you’re going to crash your Foamy or you might have a rough landing. It happens, but in an overly rough situation you could cause actual damage to the wing’s leading edges or other parts of the plane. In a pinch, you could glue it back together, but be careful. The chemical make-up of the material used to make foam does not react well to CA (cyanoacrylate) glues, and if you use the wrong kind of glue the results are not pretty. The glue you use must be foam-friendly or odorless, such as the 1-ounce bottle of Foam Compatible CA from E-flite, available in thick or medium viscosities (EFLA206 or EFLA209). Add a bottle of Foam Compatible Activator (EFLA207), or buy the combo pack (EFLA208), and you will have everything you need for assembly and repairs. However, planes made from Z-Foam, such as the ParkZone Typhoon 3D (PKZ4100) don’t require the use of Foam Compatible CA.

The Right Conditions:
Some Foamy slow flyers require completely calm conditions with no wind if you choose to fly outdoors, while others are sensitive to the wind but generally can be flown outdoors in under 5 mph winds. Some planes that are injection-molded, vacuum-formed, or have built-up fuselages are much stronger and can be flown in conditions under 10 mph. You always want to handlaunch, take off, and land into the wind and not with the wind for the best results.

Avoiding the Heat and Sun:
The foam materials that are used in the construction of Foamies don’t fare well when left sitting out in the sun, and extended sun exposure can cause a number of problems. While sun fading is a minimal concern, extended exposure to the sun can cause the decals to bubble or no longer stick to the surface, with even longer exposure leading to problems with the wings bubbling and distorting, effectively ruining your plane. While you’re at it, don’t forget that direct sunlight can cause problems for electronics, chargers, radios, and batteries. When your Foamy is not in the air, remember to keep all of your equipment in the shade.

More Channels Equals More Challenging:
With the explosion of RTF (ready-to-fl y) aircraft that have burst onto the scene over the past few years more people are being exposed to our wonderful hobby. One of the most common mistakes people make is that they try to progress from one aircraft to another long before they are ready for something faster and more complicated. This is where going into a qualified hobby store can make or break the hobby for you. When you go from a plane with two channels up to something with three, four, five, or more channels, the planes become increasingly more difficult to fly and master. You need to judge your abilities fairly before you move up to the next level of plane or, better yet, have someone observe you and give you feedback. A club, flying field, or local hobby store would beable to steer you towards finding someone who can critique you and offer some friendly, helpful advice.

Foamies, such as the HobbyZone® Stryker, P-51 Mustang, or E-Flite™ Ultimate FX, are all very durable planes, but they can’t withstand constant nosedives from 200 feet into the ground. These planes will still be there when you are ready to make the next step up. Just take your time and be patient. You will be rewarded in the future.

E-Flite