Copyright © 2009 by "Tom Tomlinson" • All Rights reserved
About us - PLEASE READ REGULARLY
Indoor model aircraft flying has taken place at Clayton Green for many years, well before indoor radio flying was a real possibility. The group is made up of like-minded model aircraft fanatics who come together between the months of September to April to have FUN! For many years, the cost of the meetings was underwritten by Derek Hardman (Mr. Solarfilm). For the past few years, Chris Fouweather organised the meetings before moving away from the area.
When Chris moved from the area a couple of years ago, the meetings were set to close, as there was no alternative organisation. Tom Crompton, Dave Whitehouse and myself (Tom Tomlinson), decided that we would underwrite any financial loss incurred and would try to set Clayton off on a sound footing for a few years to come.
The price of hiring such a good hall is high and we receive no subsidy from the BMFA (unlike Rochdale, for example), but we usually manage to just about balance the income/ costs, providing we get support from regulars. Flying charges vary according to numbers attending. Spectators and juniors are free.
Anyone who is a model aircraft addict is welcome
Clayton meetings have their own characteristics. The meetings are historically founded on the work of enthusiastic and dedicated freeflight modellers, but
with the emergence of 'ready-to-fly' radio models, lightweight freeflight models have been increasingly pushed out of flying sites to the point of near extinction. The Clayton meetings aim to address this by keeping the balance between fragile freeflight models and radio models. This can be achieved by limiting radio models to the 'micro' category. Shockflyers, helicopters and radio models with a wingspan of over 20 inches create so much turbulence, that even if the pilot is competent, it makes the air unflyable for lightweight freeflight models. A 1.2 - 3gm model is thrown around by people just walking too fast...
Experience at other sites shows that the 'slot' sytem does not work for anything that can be classified as lightweight, so we have abandoned it. We also ask that common sense is used about keeping the size and speed of freeflight models to something appropriate in relation to the style of the meetings. We try to operate on an informal/ inclusive/ friendly basis, but reserve the right to ask people to refrain from flying unsuitable models.
Clayton and two meetings per year at the Manchester Velodrome are literally the last foothold that freeflight competition and lightweight flyers have in the North West of England, so we hold friendly competitions at the meetings and the number of flyers participating is growing, as they see what fun we are having. Younger flyers are also joining in, which is really encouraging.
Don't worry about looking foolish when you start comp flying. We have all been there and have had help from those who have more experience. The important thing is to join in and fly against yourself until you catch up! and ask for advice!
Plenty of help is available if you fancy a go! Start with one of the easier classes and build from there! If you would like advice/ help, mail us via the 'contact' page.
As radio flyers have many venues, we ask that you respect the fact that we are trying to keep alive the very form of modelling which laid the foundation for the indoor movement. With a little bit of thoughtfulness, both radio and freeflight modellers get along well at Clayton and a great time is had by all. We all have fun because the majority fly thoughtfully.
Indoor model aircraft flying has taken place at Clayton Green for many years, well before indoor radio flying was a real possibility. The group is made up of like-minded model aircraft fanatics who come together between the months of September to April to have FUN! For many years, the cost of the meetings was underwritten by Derek Hardman (Mr. Solarfilm). For the past few years, Chris Fouweather organised the meetings before moving away from the area.
When Chris moved from the area a couple of years ago, the meetings were set to close, as there was no alternative organisation. Tom Crompton, Dave Whitehouse and myself (Tom Tomlinson), decided that we would underwrite any financial loss incurred and would try to set Clayton off on a sound footing for a few years to come.
The price of hiring such a good hall is high and we receive no subsidy from the BMFA (unlike Rochdale, for example), but we usually manage to just about balance the income/ costs, providing we get support from regulars. Flying charges vary according to numbers attending. Spectators and juniors are free.
Anyone who is a model aircraft addict is welcome
Clayton meetings have their own characteristics. The meetings are historically founded on the work of enthusiastic and dedicated freeflight modellers, but
with the emergence of 'ready-to-fly' radio models, lightweight freeflight models have been increasingly pushed out of flying sites to the point of near extinction. The Clayton meetings aim to address this by keeping the balance between fragile freeflight models and radio models. This can be achieved by limiting radio models to the 'micro' category. Shockflyers, helicopters and radio models with a wingspan of over 20 inches create so much turbulence, that even if the pilot is competent, it makes the air unflyable for lightweight freeflight models. A 1.2 - 3gm model is thrown around by people just walking too fast...
Experience at other sites shows that the 'slot' sytem does not work for anything that can be classified as lightweight, so we have abandoned it. We also ask that common sense is used about keeping the size and speed of freeflight models to something appropriate in relation to the style of the meetings. We try to operate on an informal/ inclusive/ friendly basis, but reserve the right to ask people to refrain from flying unsuitable models.
Clayton and two meetings per year at the Manchester Velodrome are literally the last foothold that freeflight competition and lightweight flyers have in the North West of England, so we hold friendly competitions at the meetings and the number of flyers participating is growing, as they see what fun we are having. Younger flyers are also joining in, which is really encouraging.
Don't worry about looking foolish when you start comp flying. We have all been there and have had help from those who have more experience. The important thing is to join in and fly against yourself until you catch up! and ask for advice!
Plenty of help is available if you fancy a go! Start with one of the easier classes and build from there! If you would like advice/ help, mail us via the 'contact' page.
As radio flyers have many venues, we ask that you respect the fact that we are trying to keep alive the very form of modelling which laid the foundation for the indoor movement. With a little bit of thoughtfulness, both radio and freeflight modellers get along well at Clayton and a great time is had by all. We all have fun because the majority fly thoughtfully.
IMPORTANT: If pictures won't load, you need to install Adobe Flash player from here. There is no harmful content on this site.
If you are a regular Clayton member and would like to add a photo of your indoor model to the galleries pages, mail Tom using the contact page, or direct if you are on his email mailing list. It is best if you can let him have a photo at approx 1000 - 1500 pixels on the longest side @ 300 dpi. PLEASE don't attach files which are above 1-2 Mb.
If you only have a paper copy, he can scan it in for you and return the photo unharmed. One photo per model only please, as the website space is not unlimited.
If you only have a paper copy, he can scan it in for you and return the photo unharmed. One photo per model only please, as the website space is not unlimited.
WE NOW HAVE THE MEETINGS BOOKED FOR 2011-2012
12:00 - 4:00pm
2011 - 2012 Season
10 Sep 11 08 Oct 11
12 Nov 11 10 Dec 11
7 Jan 12 11 Feb 12
10 Mar 12 14 Apr 12
12 May 12
12:00 - 4:00pm
2011 - 2012 Season
10 Sep 11 08 Oct 11
12 Nov 11 10 Dec 11
7 Jan 12 11 Feb 12
10 Mar 12 14 Apr 12
12 May 12
I have a Clayton Green email news circulation list. If you would like to have your email address added, please let me know at the next meeting, or via the address on the contact page.
Webmaster - Tom Tomlinson
Last Update 23.1.2012
We were in unanimous agreement about retaining the style of the meeting as primarily being for indoor freeflight, but that we would welcome micro radio, if flown thoughtfully with respect to fragile freeflight models.
IMPORTANT:
At a recent meeting, a member had just launched his lightweight model in the area which is clearly designated for 'lightweights only' when his wing (which takes a LOT of time and patience to build) was badly damaged by a modeller flying an R/c 'toy'.
PLEASE help to keep the meetings inclusive by flying appropriate R/c models and heavier f/f models down the other end of the hall. Accidents WILL occur inevitably, as lightweights drift whenever someone opens the hall door, but sticking to flying etiquette will minimise the risk. Thanks!
IMPORTANT:
At a recent meeting, a member had just launched his lightweight model in the area which is clearly designated for 'lightweights only' when his wing (which takes a LOT of time and patience to build) was badly damaged by a modeller flying an R/c 'toy'.
PLEASE help to keep the meetings inclusive by flying appropriate R/c models and heavier f/f models down the other end of the hall. Accidents WILL occur inevitably, as lightweights drift whenever someone opens the hall door, but sticking to flying etiquette will minimise the risk. Thanks!
VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE NOTE
THIS WEBSITE WILL BE MOVED TO A NEW
ADDRESS FROM THE END OF JANUARY 2012
PLEASE MODIFY YOUR BOOKMARK OR LINK TO:
www.creativesweb.co.uk/clayton
PLEASE LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW
The reason for the move is that the site has outgrown its allotted webspace on my personal site and I have had to buy a new web hosting package.
Thanks
Tom
ADDRESS FROM THE END OF JANUARY 2012
PLEASE MODIFY YOUR BOOKMARK OR LINK TO:
www.creativesweb.co.uk/clayton
PLEASE LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW
The reason for the move is that the site has outgrown its allotted webspace on my personal site and I have had to buy a new web hosting package.
Thanks
Tom