Pilot – Lance Maher
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BiographyI am 22 years old and I have been going to the flying field since the age of one! My father, Ian, used to take me to the club in my pushchair to watch the planes whilst he flew and instructed. I guess that’s where my love of flying began. I started learning to fly and build when I was six years old, and I had achieved my ‘A’ Certificate when I was seven and my by ‘B’ Certificate when I was ten. |
At ten years old I was the youngest ‘Nationals’ competitor and I have won numerous trophies and plaques along the way in Fun Fly and Aerobatic competitions, travelling all around the country.
When I was fourteen I became the youngest ‘Fun Fly’ champion and two years later I won it again at 16 yrs old. I haven’t competed since, as I have followed other pursuits such as driving around Europe, ladies and work. In 2000 I took part in the BMFA Air Cadet 2000, which involved giving disabled and disadvantaged children the opportunity to have a go at flying using a buddy box. I found this very rewarding and I hope to do somthing like this in the future.
My favorite style of flying is 3D artistic aerobatics, because I’m always looking to invent new eye catching maneuvers. I also love flying shock flyers indoors when I get the chance but also fly them outside as I enjoy the challenge, they definitely “keep me on my toes”.
CML Products used
Savox Servos, Bionic Batteries, Byron YS Fuel
Favourite CML Product
Savox servos
Favourite links
Top Tip - Keep pushing the envelope, you can always go “LOWER”
My Future Plans
I have never forgotten my roots though and I am an active member at the Fradley club and I try to make it to the site most weekends. I have recently joined the RAF where I am training at RAF Cosford to become a ‘Survival Equipment Fitter’. Who knows I might try for my PPL whilst I am there if I get time. I look forward to many exciting new products from CML and showing what they are capable of….
Pilot – Bob Hatt
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BiographyBeen involved in this wonderful hobby since my school days almost 40 years ago. My earliest recollections were from 1971. Starting with free flight and control line whilst dreaming of owning a radio set. I saved and bought a MacGregor single channel push button radio which often left me running across the fields of my uncles farm to collect my ‘masterpieces’ but they were happy days. I then moved up to a Kraft proportional radio and tasted real success….How things have changed since then! |
After leaving school I completed a 6year HGV technician apprenticeship before then embarking on a different career path and bringing up a family.
Over the years I have remained an enthusiastic club flyer and love the mix of outdoor activities and shows together with the indoor creativity of building the aircraft.
I have found that there is always a challenge, always something to strive for and always something different to try. My preference has always been scale fixed wing aircraft, which I flew on the show circuits between 2002 and 2005. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and intend to continue with that now that I am fortunate enough to be able to take early retirement in a few months.
At home I have a workshop with lathes, milling machine and “TIG” and “MIG” welding equipment. For a few years I manufactured exhausts as a part time venture but now make my own bespoke silencers and help others, striving to make them as effective as possible.
Holding the BMFA fixed wing Examiner certificate and LMA Competency has allowed me to assist and develop other budding RC modellers and in 2009 I became the chairman of the Worcestershire Model AC. This celebrated its 100th Year last summer!
Current aircraft include -
40% Composite Cap, 3W flat 4,
3 composite 3W Mustangs, 3W 150 inline, DA85.
2.3m Comp ARF Extra, MVVS 58
Aeroworks Edge, DA100
Pilot Yak, ZDZ 80RVJ
And other Extreme Flight, Aeroworks, Pilot, QQ and DP aircraft currently using DA, 3W, ZDZ, MVVS, and DL petrol engines.
I mainly use YS DZ glow engines and also use OS and Saito.
CML Products used
Savox, Byron and Etronix Chargers
Favourite CML Product
Savox Servos
Favourite links
Top Tip - Spend that extra time on a tidy, secure installation and a correctly set up and balanced aircraft and you will be rewarded in the long run. ‘Don’t just rush it – to get out and fly it’.
My Future Plans
Over the past 3 years I have also ventured into the world of helicopters and now have electric, glow and petrol heli’s. I’m certainly not into aerobatics with them yet and probably never will at my age but find them fascinating to set up and fly. In recent years I have watched the rapid development of batteries and motors for electric flight and I am now looking forward to venturing into that area with the knowledge, quality products and assistance of CML Distribution.
