Now that the fine weather is here (we hope!) it’s time to start thinking about taking a short helicopter holiday. The good news is, there is one coming up in May – the Park Hall fly in, a two day event worth visiting for the location alone.
Park Hall Heli Club is a small RC club sited in the beautiful and unspoilt Ilkeston area of Derbyshire. Although there is a waiting list for membership, they hold public fly in events throughout the year. May 9th and 10th is the first for the 2009 season, and it looks a corker.
If Ilkeston sounds just the place for a holiday – it is! So you’ll be pleased to know that camping will be available on site by prior arrangement with Dave, the owner (07795 975769 – camping enquiries only).
If you want to know more, you can do no better than check out the “previous events” gallery on the club website, at: http://www.parkhallheli.org.uk. Here, you will find full details of the May fly in, plus loads of info on the club itself. Check out the aerial shots as well. This truly must be one of the most beautiful RC helicopter clubs in the whole of England.
Although the fly ins are described as pod and boom events on the web page (an E-Sky Honeybee is a P and B model, in case you’re wondering), scale model RC helicopters are welcome at the May meet. This means “real” helis, like the Airwolf and Co-comanche, can take part, as well as the dragonfly lookalikes.
As with the club itself, the fly in is open to all pilots, no matter what their age or grade of ability. And you won’t be outshone by the members, either; the home page freely admits the club is open to all, from advanced 3D masters to first-time “hover hoppers”!
This Derbyshire club looks a friendly place – and it is. If you’ve built your own RC, you might even get a prize for “best in show,” as there are prizes for everything from best model helicopter to best flying display. There is also a raffle and refreshments, plus plenty of “off-the-peg” flying opportunities.
All that is required is that you have proof of BMFA insurance. Juniors (under 18) will need to be accompanied by an adult. Tx control opens at 9.30 am, with the first flights at 10. Campers should arrive the night before - check if electric RC helicopters are allowed a sneaky “early-bird” warm up, if that’s your intent. Chances are, you’ll be okay – the club is very accommodating towards electric helicopters.
Helicopter clubs rely on events like this to raise funds, and I can think of no better – or cheaper – place to go for a short break than the Park Hall fly in.