Introduction

We are a society for the promotion of traditional aeromodelling....with a few tethered cars thrown in. By traditional we mean largely home-built using wood, tissue and wire. Models can be built from kits, and this is certainly the way to start.   

We publish a monthly printed magazine, back copes of which can be found HERE 

We organise and promote model flying events, indoors and out, across the UK

What things do we fly and run?

Many models are built up using plans, often plans found on the internet. If looking for high fidelity to the real plane, scale modellers will adapt existing plans or make their own plan.

Construction employs thin wood, plywood and some other materials such as carbon fibre where strength is needed. Parts are usually glued together. Tethered cars are built up from metal parts, with a fair amount of engineering know-how.

Types of planes

Control line: Engine-powered planes tethered to to a pilot's handle via two control wires, allowing direct control of the flight. Stunt and speed models are used in competition.

Free-flight: Models with intrinsic stability, trimmed to fly in circuits free of pilot intervention. Some flights are terminated using a dethermalizer - a mechanism to make the model descend swiftly but safely. This is initiated by a timer or a radio signal. Models can be designed to fly indoors or outdoors, for maximum duration, for scale fidelity or just for fun. The motive power can be small internal combustion engines, electric motors, CO2 motors or twisted rubber bands. Gliders are either towed or thrown to a flying height.

Radio-assist:  Theses are essentially free-flight designs with minimal radio control systems added. This enables them to be kept within a smaller area and also allows for light-hearted competition, such as spot landing and duration.

Cars: Tethered cars that run around a circular track from a central pivot. They often use engines derived from aero engines - hence the link to SAM. The engines either drive the wheels directly or have propellers to drive them forward - the latter are termed aircars.