Toronto Electric Model Aviation Club Forum

Events => Other Events => Topic started by: piker on August 21, 2013, 03:56:19 PM

Title: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: piker on August 21, 2013, 03:56:19 PM
O.K. Float Flyers!  Time for another float flying get together, but this time at an exciting new location that I hope we can use for a couple of official float fly's next summer.  This time we're on private property at the invitation of the land owner, who has a large pond, about twice the length of the TEMAC runway, with good approaches at each end.  I haven't seen the site yet, other than from Google maps, but it looks like it'll be ideal.

Let's get together at 3:00pm until dark, on Saturday, August 31 at the location shown on the link below.  This is a private home and I haven't even met the homeowner yet myself, so I'm hoping we can show up, make a great impression (I have no doubt), and get ourselves invited back.

Here's the link to Google Maps:

https://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Teston+Rd%2FRegional+Rd+49&daddr=Teston+Rd&hl=en&ll=43.857678,-79.569511&spn=0.080085,0.128746&sll=43.861855,-79.553504&sspn=0.02002,0.032187&geocode=FShUnQIdPx5C-w%3BFZgvnQIdRGpB-w&t=h&mra=me&mrsp=0,1&sz=15&z=13

If you have any questions, please let me know.  Also please make sure your planes are in good working order before the event to ensure we have lots of successful flights.

I hope many of you can make it even though it's the long weekend.  It'll be a lot of fun, and I expect this will be a better (different at least) site than Frenchman's Bay because it's more sheltered from the wind.

Here's a picture of the site:

Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: sihinch on August 21, 2013, 04:16:42 PM
This sounds awesome, and what a generous offer.

We've got visitors but I'll see if I can negotiate a pass-out! :)
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: imran13 on August 21, 2013, 04:45:32 PM
This could be the first temac float fly I attend :D
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: Ededge2002 on August 21, 2013, 05:34:02 PM
Is that a COVERED horse track in the background?  what the heck!  Horses were obsolete the day Henry Ford was born!!!
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: Kenvention2 on August 21, 2013, 09:40:28 PM
Fabulous offer and that looks like a great place to fly from. Too bad for me i'm already booked somewhere else.

I hope it goes smoothly.

Ken

Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: Tomahawk on August 22, 2013, 01:58:08 AM
Take a look from the Google view.  There is a lot more to see.  It looks like a private full scale airstrip running along the east side of the lake.

Chris
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: piker on August 23, 2013, 02:40:03 PM
Yes, Chris, I notice that too, and that gave me hope when I was contacting the land owner... hoping that he had an interest in aviation.  Apparently that image was captured during a charity event when a couple of people flew in for the day.  I wonder if it was the same day of the TEMAC fun fly when the image of the TEMAC field was captured.

Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: piker on August 28, 2013, 09:37:33 PM
This is a reminder that we have a very exciting float flying opportunity this coming Saturday, August 31 at the new location detailed above.

This is a private pond that should make a GREAT float flying site, and even though they're calling for rain on Saturday, I'm sure they'll be wrong.  It's going to be nice and the winds will be gentle.   :)

So, come on out to the float fly on Saturday and help me try out this new pond!  I'll have my planes and the retrieval boat ready, and I plan to fly until dark over the nice, calm water.  The Beaver has lights :-)

If you have any questions you can ask here or call my cell at 416-828-8722

Robert
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: eric on August 28, 2013, 10:00:48 PM
Is it still 3:00pm start? Crossing my fingers, but it looks good at this point for me making it out. Fortunately, I brought all my float planes home from the cottage with me, so I'm ready to go. Anybody know an anti-rain dance?

Eric
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: piker on August 29, 2013, 12:01:13 AM
I hope you can make it, Eric.  I'll be there at 3:00pm for sure. 

Even if it's raining I'll be there at 3:00, I still want to use this opportunity to see the place... but it's NOT going to rain....

See you there!

Robert
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: piker on August 30, 2013, 02:43:31 PM
As promised, the weather forecast for tomorrow is improving.

We'll have an amazing place to fly, light winds, sunny skies, and... maybe a small chance of rain.  I predict an awesome late afternoon / evening of float flying.

I hope you can make it!

When you arrive, just look for my truck and trailer and park near it.  I think we'll set-up and fly from the little beach at the south west corner of the pond.

Robert
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: battlestu on August 30, 2013, 03:44:38 PM
plane is ready and batteries are charging :)... Can't wait for Saturday!!
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: imran1042 on August 30, 2013, 04:07:11 PM
I should be there :D Just bought a Parkzone Icon!
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: battlestu on August 31, 2013, 04:41:04 PM
made it to the gates and got called into work  :'( ... fly one for me guys!

and get lots of pictures!
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: sihinch on August 31, 2013, 05:33:09 PM
Oh, Greg, that sucks!

I'm sorry buddy!
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: battlestu on August 31, 2013, 05:37:38 PM
no worries ... just part of the glory in being a computer engineer  ;D

Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: gmcnic on August 31, 2013, 08:59:55 PM
I think Robert came through on his weather prediction and it must have been a great float-fly.  I stopped by ROGO field to find a solitary Mike H early this afternoon.  Always willing to assist, he taught me a few things about servos.  Thanks Mike!!

Hope you all had a great float-fly!
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: Michael on August 31, 2013, 09:04:54 PM
Quote from: sihinch on August 31, 2013, 05:33:09 PM
Oh, Greg, that sucks!

I'm sorry buddy!

I'm sorry for you both.

That was the best float flying event I have ever been to!

I flew at least 12 flights from 3pm until after 7pm, and there was just about non-stop flying of 3 (or more) flyers the entire time.

I don't recall a single crash, and one plane (Jack's Mentor) that had a radio problem was found safely with zero damage, in a tree.

The location was amazing (thanks Robert for finding it), and the owner of the property couldn't have been nicer. The pond was about 2 to 3 times the size of the TEMAC field, and the wind was light, and almost gone by 7pm.

I flew my 1/5 scale Cub on floats, Multiplex Twinstar on floats, Parkzone Icon A5, KMP CL415 Waterbomber, Polaris Ultra and my E-Flie Carbon Cub, each plane at least 2 times.

There were many other kinds of planes including Roberts Schneider Cup racer, his Astro Hog on floats, there were 3 Kens with a multitude of planes, our younger TEMAC contingent were out in force with repeated flights of a new Parkzone Icon, there were Flyzone Beavers, Nester was there with a couple nice float planes, Eric flew a van-full of float planes, and so on and so on.

Just a terrific time!

Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: eric on August 31, 2013, 10:32:13 PM
I agree with Michael; the best float flying day I've ever had as well. I flew 7 packs through my float planes.

The location was absolutely brilliant, the owner couldn't have been nicer (he even drove us around the lake in his 4 x 4 and bush whacked with us through the undergrowth to help find Jack's plane) and the weather was perfect, with none of the oppressive humidity we've been suffering lately. All in all, a great, great time.

Thanks to Robert for finding such a marvelous venue. The only negative of the whole affair is that we can't fly there every day!

Eric
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: Wingnutz on August 31, 2013, 10:33:54 PM
Like Michael and Eric, this was probably the most enjoyable float fly session I've ever experienced. Thanks Rob for setting it up! Thanks also to the property owner...our host ...for opening up such a spectacular site! I've just realized I don't even know his name...anyone???
Flew the four models I took and shared the fun of the hobby with my longtime friend who is entering the hobby while he flew my Apprentice on floats and I helped with a buddy box.
Epic session! Thanks to all who were there to share it!
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: imran13 on September 01, 2013, 12:22:10 AM
First time float flying - and I'm hooked ;D

Need to do that more often. It was really awesome and a lot easier than I (or Imran H) expected it to be.

Thanks to Rob who made this happen. It left a great impression.

Thanks to Michael who helped us figure out how to get the Icon back to shore ;D

When's the next float fly?  ;D
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: Ededge2002 on September 01, 2013, 02:22:04 AM
Disappointed I did not attend. The "tails" of the story are the selling point. Well done Robert and motley crue 
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: piker on September 01, 2013, 10:48:11 AM
Wow!  What a fantastic day of flying.  That was a wonderful location, and the weather worked out very well with only a slight, refreshing sprinkle for a few minutes (not even enough to cover the radios and chargers).  And the winds were gentle and from a good direction.

David, and his assistant, Hugo, were the most gracious hosts you can imagine, despite the fact that we were all perfect strangers to them, and there was nothing in this for them.  some of us stayed til almost 8:00 and finished the day with silky smooth water and a flurry of gentle touch and goes.  Now THAT is what float flying is all about.

Thanks to everyone who came out and made the get together as much fun as it was.  It wouldn't have been the same with only a couple people out there so it was nice to have a crowd.  I think we made a good impression, and even though we drove and parked all over David's lawn, after the last car left, you wouldn't have known we were there.

I took lots of pictures and video, but I'll have to get some of that posted in a few days when I have time.

Oh, and I asked David, before we left, if there might be opportunity to do this 2 or 3 times next year, and he was completely open to the idea.  So, next year, we will do this again, and I hope those who couldn't make it this time will be there next year.

And this is not the last float fly of the season.  I hope we can do at least two more (at Frenchman's or maybe Preston), as we still have September and early October to play with!

Robert
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: imran13 on September 01, 2013, 10:58:00 AM
YAY more float flying ;D
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: sihinch on September 01, 2013, 12:03:06 PM
Wow, amazing tails and enthusiasm.  Sounds like a wonderful evening.

Thanks to Robert and our Hosts.

I'll make it to the next one, come hell or high water!!
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: electroflyer on September 01, 2013, 12:40:34 PM
     Thanks Rob,

    It really was a great place to fly!
   By the way, Best dead stick, non-radio controlled landing has to go to Jack and his Mentor. The aircraft just gently settled into a beautiful free flight glide and ended up to the North west part of the property!
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: Papa on September 01, 2013, 02:21:14 PM
That's more a testament to Michael's skill at trimming than anything I did.

Will trouble shoot the problem tonight and let you know the results.

When your model tells you all is not right don't ignore it and fly.
My dumb mistake was to gamble and think I could get away with it.

Thank you to David Tovares, our host, for persisting in the search and
Nestor, Eric, Gerry and Robert for slogging through the ragweed.
I had tried earlier but was exhausted and unsuccessful. Try finding a green
and yellow plane in green and yellow ragweed.

Jack.
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: Papa on September 01, 2013, 03:47:09 PM
Ok I found the problem and now I feel even more dumb!

I have used an automotive switch, as a cut-off, and it has worked fine for two models through crashes etc.

It uses bayonet connectors and yesterday one came partially loose. If I had detected it, a push to lock it in place
would have been all it required.

Lesson learned the switch is gone.

Jack.
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: gordonbw on September 03, 2013, 05:07:49 PM
Sounds like an amazing time -- really wish I had gone.

@Rob -- the Aventura gets one more try at the next event.  It has a new ESC and receiver -- both wrapped in plastic.  Also one washer's worth of upthrust has been added to the motor.  I sincerely hope I won't be asking you for the crashboat again...
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: piker on September 03, 2013, 06:13:35 PM
Sounds great, Gordon!

Here's are a couple of pictures I took of the pond, taken at the end of the day, last Saturday.  This is what you missed if you left early   ;D

And also a nice shot of Glenn's Beaver flying by:
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: Papa on September 03, 2013, 09:24:46 PM
Here are some photos Robert took of the "Crash Scene".

First is the general terrain, the tree is on the side of a ravine. The red arrow points to the Mentor.

Next is a shot of Eric pointing at the Mentor and finally a shot Of Eric and Nestor taking it down.

The last picture is the recovery team. Thanks Guys. Thank you Michael for the Photo.

jack.
Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: piker on September 04, 2013, 03:00:11 PM
And some more pictures from the day!

Did I mention that we had a great time?!!   ;D



Title: Re: August 31 Float Fly - New Location!
Post by: piker on September 04, 2013, 03:52:04 PM
How about some vids?

Electric Float Fly Aug 2013 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_c31cPsLUA#)