This winter has provided the best snow conditions for winter flying I can remember. Snow flying is a great way to enjoy winter without going south or heading to the slopes...it's fun!...and it looks like it could be with us for a while. Fresh snow provides one of the smoothest runways short of calm water and with the cold air, airfoils(both wings and propellors) work really well. So grab your model with skis or floats, bring warm clothes and especially good boots for the walk in from Stouffville Sideroad (you may not be able to drive in for a while with the amount of snow.ROGO Snow Flying Feb 2014 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va_TL388jGs#ws)
I've posted the link to the helmet cam video I shot Monday to encourage fellow club members to enjoy the field four seasons of the year.
I hope ski and float snow flyers will post some of the secrets that make it fun. Andy and I have had a running debate about the relative advantages/disadvantages of floats vs skis on the snow. As the few comments on the video indicate, I'm lining up on the float side of the debate...
Nice! It almost looks tempting. Pity you can't video the wind chill??
Jack.
That looks really nice. The white snow and blue skies are very appealing.
I'll try to make it out this weekend, but with a very busy schedule, it's hard to get out when the weather is reasonable. While you were out on that beautiful Monday, most of the rest of us were at work :)
The sky was definitely more friendly (blue) than on Sunday.
... sure looks like fun!
Wish I could join you. Lol.
Quote from: Papa on February 06, 2014, 08:49:35 AM
Nice! It almost looks tempting. Pity you can't video the wind chill??
Jack.
One thing I
really love about Jack is his rock solid consistency!! :D
Andy
Nice video and nice flying, Bill!
I couldn't hear any teeth chattering.
I am itching to head out with my micro Icon A5, but not sure if I am cleared with my park wings.
Not sure what the debate is about, but wheels are for water and floats for snow, aren't they? ::)
Here's a few vids:
Super Cub Water-assisted Landings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0fByofsZvo#noexternalembed)
Full Lotus Floats on snow Beaver RX 550 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzTVwOENMhM#)
Beautiful flying Bill and a great video. What an advert for winter flying and also are awesome field. It looks so idyllic.
Thanks so much for sharing.
What camera did you use to film it?
Quote from: gmcnic on February 06, 2014, 05:22:11 PM
I am itching to head out with my micro Icon A5, but not sure if I am cleared with my park wings
You sure are! If you have park wings and have paid your membership and MAAC then go play (with small foam models under 3lbs and less than 60mph.)
Well noted and thank you for clarifying, Simon.
Here's hoping for a little warmer weather!
Cheers
Graham,
Thanks for the video of the home-built Beaver landing on snow on FLOATS! See Andy, even the full sizers buy into the Cadez Floats on Water thing!
Andy and I were snow flying this afternoon at ROGO and...much to my surprise, his Mini Funtana actually did well on Dubro Park Flyer skis until it slowed down and repeatedly buried one ski in the soft powdery stuff and came to an abrupt stop...as did my efforts to video his ski flying when I realized the camera memory card was still in the computer at home...
I managed eight flights and was still there at 1715 when the sun had gone down behind the trees and it started to get seriously cold. I prefer to fly at ROGO when the wind has no W or SW in it but Andy with his boundless enthusiasm couldn't have cared less! Although Andy deserted me in the interests of domestic tranquility, he did manage to get flying long before I did! Great afternoon...sorry so few were there to enjoy it...actually I liked having the whole field to myself and being able to land and take off in a variety of directions and spots...
I was hoping to get out flying this past weekend (I know. Same old story), but I ended up ripping out my kitchen in order to redo the floors. It worked out well as I was able to get everything back in place before midnight last night. Oh well. At least THAT job is done... well, mostly done.
Quote from: piker on February 10, 2014, 01:26:45 PM
I was hoping to get out flying this past weekend (I know. Same old story), but I ended up ripping out my kitchen in order to redo the floors. It worked out well as I was able to get everything back in place before midnight last night. Oh well. At least THAT job is done... well, mostly done.
Yikes! R&R on the kitchen
including the floors in ONE weekend. I hope my spouse doesn't
ever see this! There is no way I could hope to match the expectations that would be created.
Way to go. We all pay due homage to the great master of the fast build!!
Andy
What an absolutely gorgeous sunny bright brisk winter day at TEMAC this afternoon. Rob Pike and I enjoyed the -14C wind chill (-7C with winds NNW at 24 kmh). Great day for "helicopter" flying on floats (Rob's Beaver) or skis (my Super Sportster and Mini Funtana). Snow texture is fantasic - nice and dry. Nice thing about the wind is that it renders the runway self-healing - after a while it fills in any holes you make in the snow if you have to walk out on the field to rescue a plane.
Rob will be posting a couple of photos later.
"Snowballs" Hoffer
I actually came up around 1:30 but decided it was too windy. So I went to Pinnacle and bumped in the Greg Hazelton and Ken Ross, which was nice!
I was off on a fishing adventure Saturday and Sunday this weekend. The transportation provided was PERFECT to get in and out of the TEMAC field all winter long with LOTS of space inside for planes and gear! The inside has a large heated area and it can go through what I would call any amount of snow. I have been in these things before and I think they stopped making them in the 50's or something like that so they are quite the classic machines.
Wow! What a fabulous idea for getting in to ROGO Field! I'll check with the treasurer and see if it's in the budget...understand he's quite a fan of snow-flying!
Actually the treasurer (Andy) inspired me to go snow flying this afternoon. The walk in wasn't bad and since I followed the advice of Andy's pilot meeting seminar on dressing for winter flying, I was pretty warm even though the temp. was -10 and the 15-20 km NW wind made it feel chillier.
I flew two planes, my Polaris and Hoover (a home-brewed EDF Polaris) ...nothing remarkable about that except, both models failed to go to full throttle on initial throttle opening. Both did go to full throttle after the throttle was advanced slowly and both flew without incident...anybody know what was going on?
Quote"
both models failed to go to full throttle on initial throttle opening. Both did go to full throttle after the throttle was advanced slowly and both flew without incident...anybody know what was going on?"
Cold batteries showing low voltage underload. The running them up a little increased there temperature and boosted there output voltage. I recommend having your packs heated right up till flight time and trying not to waste time in getting ready to fly.
Wow! Life in Beaverton is good! Love the old vintage Bombardier snowmobiles. But how do you fly your RC plane when you're in that little fishing hut. FPV?!! :D
It really was great at TEMAC again today. By mid-afternoon the sun was out, lots of blue sky with some high cirrus cloud, and we were really warm. The path in from the highway is nicely compacted so the walk in is easy and invigorating. The snow is terrific. (No fish though!) Hoping to do it again tomorrow!!
Andy
Hi Andy and others,
I saw the snow contraption and thought Hmmmm..... Maybe Greg could jimmy one up out of one of his Volkswagens! So Greg, for the good of the club, what do you say?
I might make it to the field today too. Looks gorgeous.
Keep Smilin'
Hi All:
I flew over the field at 12:45 today and it was beautiful, sunny, and hardly any wind - and nobody there!!
The snowmobilers and ice fisherman on Cook's Bay looked very happy!
I went to TEMAC at 2:00 and the weather was starting to change, but still very nice. Over the next two hours it got really gusty out of the southeast - 22 kmh plus gusts. A really good day to practice cross-wind takes and landings. I was drained by 4:00 pm!
Love it!
Andy
Ugh! I was shut out of the computer all weekend. It's not until I get to work that I can get back to the TEMAC message board!
Yes! I finally made it out for some snow flying on Saturday. It was pretty lonely, at first, until Greg C stopped by and hung out for a couple of flights. Then, after he left, Snowballs showed up and kept flying after I left. I put in three great flights with the Beaver and the order of the day was gentle, touch and go's.
So, I'm torn about this winter flying thing. I was so wrapped up in multiple layers of clothing that I was quite warm and comfortable. And when the wind chill froze my face, I could pull my scarf thingy up (it's actually a neck tube that can be pulled up around your ears or even over your head as a hood), over my nose and stay quite warm. But I realized that my hands are very sensitive to the cold. I just can't work with my bare hands for very long at sub-zero temps. I was watching Andy...I mean Snowballs, in awe, as he worked away on his planes with bare hands. I eventually just did almost all my set-up and flying with my gloves on and was reasonably comfortable, although it did feel weird flying with gloves and all wrapped up in a hat and scarf, etc. I felt kind of out of touch with the whole experience. However, I'm sure if the winds were more gentle, or even calm, it would have been a completely different experience.
BUT, despite the fact that I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold, I can certainly appreciate many aspects of flying from the beautiful snow that we have at TEMAC right now. First, on a clear, sunny day, like Saturday, the contrast between the blue sky, and the pure, white snow is wonderful. The snow levels out the entire field, beyond the edges of the cut grass, so the landing and take-off area is HUGE. It's similar to flying from a large body of water, or a sod farm, but without the waves or the long grass. The take-offs are straight and gentle and the planes just rise off the snow, and landings, or touch and go's, are graceful and easy. Like float flying, it's desirable to taxi out and then back again after landing so you don't have to mess up the smooth snow with your foot steps, so this is an extra bit of care that you need to take.
For sure, it's a different experience from flying from grass, or even water. If I can just figure out a way to keep my hands warm, it would be a great activity to help get through the long winters.
Try this out I'm sure they have something for you.
http://www.thewarmingstore.com/heated-gloves.html?gclid=CN3Noe-R1rwCFQtgMgodu2QAoA#.UwOQJoU_TxQ (http://www.thewarmingstore.com/heated-gloves.html?gclid=CN3Noe-R1rwCFQtgMgodu2QAoA#.UwOQJoU_TxQ)
Jack.
Or for less impact on your budget:
http://www.radiantlite.com/2009/11/lowepro-photographer-gloves.html (http://www.radiantlite.com/2009/11/lowepro-photographer-gloves.html)
http://www.daymen.ca/mediakit/lowepro/products/Accessories/Lowepro%20Photo%20Gloves.jpg (http://www.daymen.ca/mediakit/lowepro/products/Accessories/Lowepro%20Photo%20Gloves.jpg)
http://www.lebaron.ca/pdf_files_fall12/misty_underwear.pdf (http://www.lebaron.ca/pdf_files_fall12/misty_underwear.pdf)
The reality is that if your core, head, neck and feet are really warm, your hands will benefit. I use bare hands for loading batteries, but I wear gloves when flying. I got mine at Le Baron. I'll post the name later (don't have them with me). They are like a stretchy fleece, with elasticized storm cuffs. Warm, not too thick, and provide good dexterity. $35 plus tax. I really like them.
"Snowballs" Hoffer
Stay tuned to this thread for a great photo of Rob enjoying white water flying at TEMAC this past Saturday! (Over to you Rob.)
Andy
I had a chance to keep Robert company for a few minutes till I froze... But fun none the less..
Quote from: Andy Hoffer on February 18, 2014, 01:06:41 PM
Stay tuned to this thread for a great photo of Rob enjoying white water flying at TEMAC this past Saturday! (Over to you Rob.)
Andy
I left my camera at home today. I knew you'd be harassing me about that ;D
Quote from: piker on February 18, 2014, 03:02:05 PM
Quote from: Andy Hoffer on February 18, 2014, 01:06:41 PM
Stay tuned to this thread for a great photo of Rob enjoying white water flying at TEMAC this past Saturday! (Over to you Rob.)
Andy
I left my camera at home today. I knew you'd be harassing me about that ;D
You have remarkably good instincts!! :D
Andy
O.K., O.K. Here ya go Andy!
First picture showing the required equipment for snow flying... a float equipped plane and a bottle of the bubbly ;D
Next, proof that I actually flew.
Next, Snowballs in all his glory
Finally, some guy in disguise.
Made the trek in to ROGO this morning...more difficult than it sounds...the new snow had completely filled in the tracks and if you stepped off the tracks, you promptly went up to your knees! I took nearly 15 minutes to struggle over the ever higher windrow and into the pilot stations, the top of which now come up only to my knees...and I'm not tall!
Not even one footprint as far as you could see...bright sun 8), temperature around zero and light wind! By the time I'd made the pilot stations, it was time to lose the jacket...and the sweater...and the gloves...tee shirt only for a while!
Only had my dumb phone as the decision to go RCing was a last minute one and the photos are...dumb phone photos shot in light so bright, I couldn't see the viewer through my sunglasses!
The Beaver and I had a wonderful time doing touch and go's! Bare handed flying is better than any glove arrangement!
Great photos. Here its the subject not the quality.Glad someone got out and enjoyed the sunshine today! You take a damn fine selfie Bill with that smile
Hey Bill. Way to show 'em how it's done! Thanks for re-opening the trail from the highway. I'll bet it packed down nicely!!
Looking forward to getting out there on the weekend!!
Andy
Quote from: piker on February 19, 2014, 12:00:33 PM
O.K., O.K. Here ya go Andy!
First picture showing the required equipment for snow flying... a float equipped plane and a bottle of the bubbly ;D
Next, proof that I actually flew.
Next, Snowballs in all his glory
Finally, some guy in disguise.
Thanks for the great pix Rob. You sure hang out with some strange people though. You should be more cautious!! ;D
Snowballs
Bill
Wonderful pics. I'm very envious here in Richmond where the temp is only 20 degrees C!!
One question - why are the snow tracks in from the road not in a straight line?!
Quote from: sihinch on February 19, 2014, 09:34:19 PM
Bill
One question - why are the snow tracks in from the road not in a straight line?!
That's why it took him so long to walk in there!
Quote from: sihinch on February 19, 2014, 09:34:19 PM
Bill
Wonderful pics. I'm very envious here in Richmond where the temp is only 20 degrees C!!
One question - why are the snow tracks in from the road not in a straight line?!
The fluid dynamics of the Piaggio can take a toll on the vestibular system. ;D
http://temac.ca/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4443.0;attach=8849;image (http://temac.ca/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4443.0;attach=8849;image)
I am very hurt by the insinuation that my consumption of Canadian content (thanks Simon, Ed, Andy!) might have compromised my navigation...and to blame it all on the poor innocent Piaggio? It's all a result of my unstable landing gear(leg) not the gyro system!
Andy, just for your info, once again the floats performed flawlessly. Not once did they dig in to the snow, flip around backwards, hang vertically, tips up or tips down, get caught in someone's footprint ( okay, so this time there were no footprints!)... ;D
It will be interesting to see the relative performance when the snow gets totaly saturated and freezes rock hard this weekend. What is the survival rate of foam floats against ice? ;D
I must say it was a lot of fun in the heavy crosswinds on Monday. The skis behaved beautifully!
Andy
Oh so now the battle has changed to "floats or skis what's best". I think as usual I will pick C belly landing works great and is a performance gain in every category besides taxiing and touch and goes!
nice pics bill
yes it was a gorgeous day for flying to bad i just got there just as you were leaving and I had to get back to work, I made it back just on time, I had booked off until 1 PM.
Quote from: Ededge2002 on February 20, 2014, 04:55:05 PM
Oh so now the battle has changed to "floats or skis what's best". I think as usual I will pick C belly landing works great and is a performance gain in every category besides taxiing and touch and goes!
Hey, if you prefer to fly on your belly that's fine with me. (Penguins do that all the time!) As long as you come out to the field and enjoy the fun!
Andy
Quote from: Ededge2002 on February 20, 2014, 04:55:05 PM
Oh so now the battle has changed to "floats or skis what's best". I think as usual I will pick C belly landing works great and is a performance gain in every category besides taxiing and touch and goes!
Sheesh Ed! Isn't a belly landing on snow pretty cold on the tummy? I nearly did several belly landings on my trek in last time!
Slightly more seriously, the two models I flew last time Andy and I were there (Polari) were both belly landers which can taxi, take-off, land on their bellies ...until the models were turned crosswind and those NWers (Snowballs' ' delight ::)) flipped the models upside down...one (only) for skis...
OK Ed. Now's your chance!
Sun. Afternoon Feb 23
Cloudy periods
-3°C (wind chill -9)
P.O.P: 20%
Wind W 20 km/h
Wind gust 33 km/h
Positively balmy!
Hope to see you there!!
Snowballs Hoffer
I flew today Andy. Forwards and even at times backwards in the gusting high winds with a sub 10oz plane. I said to myself "what am I doing" right before I launched the plane but had some laughs at the performance of 80W in those conditions. I figure I was at about 1/2 throttle on one of my landings with 1" wheels on the ice!
Fantastic! I spent the afternoon in Buttonville Tower getting a master class in air traffic control. I knew it would be a really slow day because of the winds, so the controllers had lots of time to chat. Winds were west at 15 gusting 25 knots all afternoon, so you did really well to fly in that. How were your crosswind landings on the ice?!! What were the surface conditions like?
Andy
As I was flying a very light plane in windy conditions there wasn't really any "cross wind" landing. I landed straight into the wind.. If you can call it that as there was zero roll out. On one of the landings I had to keep the motor running as I walked over to prevent the plane from taxiing away from me backwards!
Way to go! Skis should be fun on the ice today!
Andy
Conditions at TEMAC were great today. If you're gentle on your touch down (and avoid rescue footprints) you can use wheels on the glazed ice crust on the snow, though I still stayed with skis on my Super Sportster and Mini Funtana. As you would exepct, there is very litte surface drag. A little throttle goes a long way when you're taxiing. And the wind also goes a long way, usually away from you!!
Andy
Too bad I didn't make it out. I had to head to Home Depot for supplies yesterday, and the weather was quite nice. I'm glad you guys had a good time.
second try....and some notes on the photos. The first few shots are of Andy in his element (enjoying the snow) and testing out his new altimeter. A shot of me squinting to see my plane (forgot my sunglasses) and a frozen me after a long walk in the snow.
Greg
Wait a minute...
As we all know Andy has a strong affection for the white stuff and now he has an altimeter??
Is it just me or is he trying to measure how high he is getting??
I had a chance to fly a bit with weekend and the course of the week.
I had John P give me a battle damaged PZ Icon. I used my mastery skills with the hot glue gun and pieced it together. I was a little apprehensive about using a plane this destroyed but it worked well after making sure all the control surfaces and the main fuse would not fail in the air. It was great off the snow, it does fly a bit nose heavy, but was lots of fun. I really miss taking off from the grass though. With being inside for such a long durtation of the winter, I have amassed a few new planes for the summer.
Took my brother (visiting from BC) to ROGO this afternoon. Thrilled to see the windrow cleaned out of the end of the driveway.
The snow was so wet and sticky that without silicon spray, the floats wouldn't slide easily, causing the model to pitch down on its take-off run and fail to gather much speed or lift. (Andy, I know what you're gonna say!)
Ended up hand-launching but had a great time.
If you use floats on snow, sticky season is apparently here!
Quote from: Wingnutz on March 10, 2014, 05:43:24 PM
Took my brother (visiting from BC) to ROGO this afternoon. Thrilled to see the windrow cleaned out of the end of the driveway.
The snow was so wet and sticky that without silicon spray, the floats wouldn't slide easily, causing the model to pitch down on its take-off run and fail to gather much speed or lift. (Andy, I know what you're gonna say!)
Ended up hand-launching but had a great time.
If you use floats on snow, sticky season is apparently here!
I am SO pleased to report that there was absolutely no sign of "sticky season" at TEMAC field today (Sunday March 16). It was a perfect day for ice pilots (or at least for the one ice pilot who showed up): Winds were 330 at 11 knots (20 kmh), skies absolutely clear, temperature -10C (wind chill was a balmy -18C). The sunshine was wonderful. Want to get warm? Just face west and look up at the top of the antenna tower. One caveat: the snow surface is quite bumpy in places, the white water equivalent of light chop. SO... foam floats will take a real beating. Skis had no problem, but you have to pick the line of your take-off run carefully. This will probably be the last nice winter weekend, with only a couple more days of sub-zero weather before the spring thaw which is forecast to set in big time on Wednesday. Then I might just have to try floats. :)
Cheers!
Snowballs Hoffer
I guess that TEMAC is a sheet of ice right now.. I noticed that the mound of sand and ice have melted away at the enterance. Prob not smart to try to get to the field in a car yet. Especailly if your CAA is not up to date.
I gently tested the driveway last weekend and it is very soft under the top crust. I agree it is not a good idea to drive in unless you have a serious SUV with 4WD and good snow tires. Also, we want to avoid chewing up the driveway. Walking in from the road is clearly the best option.
The good news is that we are getting 3 to 8 cm of fresh snow tonight, so "Snowballs Hoffer" will be out this weekend for sure!! My Mini Funtana and Super Sportster are both still in ski mode! :D
Hope to see you there!!
Andy
i guess your flying kites this weekend ... the forecast looks a little windy
I just flew WITHOUT GLOVES!
just saying.
Quote from: battlestu on March 21, 2014, 01:04:41 PM
i guess your flying kites this weekend ... the forecast looks a little windy
Yes, Saturday will be a good day to do grocery shopping and other chores, like shovelling snow from the driveway.
But I will look forward to your company at ROGO field on Sunday where we will enjoy more moderate, pilot-friendly winds (22 to 29 kmh) and balmy -7C temperatures (-14C to -15C wind chills).
Hope to see you there! :D
Snowballs
The name is "SnoBalls" without the "W".
Get it right EH!
Jack.
Quote from: Papa on March 21, 2014, 05:32:39 PM
The name is "SnoBalls" without the "W".
Get it right EH!
Jack.
Why don't you bring
yours out to the field on Sunday and we can have a nice intellectual discussion on nomenclature?!!
;) The Ice Man
Wowee! Zowee!
-7C, -15C wind chill, winds NW 25 kmh and clear sunny skies on Sunday!
Now this is what I call spring weather. ;D
"Warmest" regards,
the Ice Man
Wow! Another spectacular spring day at TEMAC! (Actually spring is merely a figment of the calendar's imagination: -7C, wind chill -15C, NW winds at 27 gusting 36 kmh, now THAT's where it's at!!). Graham, Ed and I enjoyed a super outing under brilliant blue skies.
Here are some photos of Ed's great performances today, including a mind meld with his iPhone and his pre-flight prayer session on bended knees!
Enjoy!
Snowballs (with a "W") Hoffer
You guys need help..
Quote from: thehaze on March 24, 2014, 12:08:10 AM
You guys need help..
Yes we do and the sun was doing the best it could manage.
I would like to thank Graham and Andy for helping me carry all my crap back out. Wow now that was TEMAC service!
Now I understand why we haven't seen Michael and his new DC-3 at the field this winter! :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ruArctYYbM&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ruArctYYbM&feature=youtu.be)
The Ice Man