the throttle again and carry on as before. I continued to hover the model tentatively a few feet from the ground counting the minutes down, until I heard there was 1 minute to go, this is when I started to relax and smile, as I knew from the position of the throttle I had around 5 minutes flight time left, and the record was in my grasp. Eventually the call went out that the record had been broken, and about four minutes later I landed the model safely to a welcome round of applause, the total time being 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 50 seconds, beating the previous world record by nearly 4 minutes!
Conclusions
This record breaking flight brought to a culmination the ‘ECO-Project’, a project which lasted for well over a year. It is always gratifying to complete a long term venture, but to do so in such a successful manner is extremely rewarding indeed. I learnt a considerable amount about the sport of aeromodelling during this venture, and am still learning more every day. As a relatively inexperienced flyer, and quite new to the sport, I feel extremely proud to have beaten a World record, especially as I achieved it with a model built from ‘off the shelf’ parts. Although I am the one taking the honours for this flight, it would not have been possible without the support and commitment of many other individuals, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank a few of the people concerned.
Acknowledgements
Paul Lavender, Engineering Director of PAG Ltd for kindly supplying the battery cells for this record breaking flight, and also the ones I used for practising, without these, the attempt would not have been possible.
Nigel Fraser Ker for all his advise and tips on how to set up and improve the model, and for locating the flying site and getting permission from Jim Pilcher, the land owner to use his field for this record attempt, and also for supplying the scales used in this record attempt, and general support throughout this venture.
Peter Spurway for offering his services as a BMFA Official to oversee this attempt, and all his advise on getting the correct documentation throughout our many telephone conversations, and to help ensure this record would be successfully ratified.
John French (BMFA Records Officer) for his impeccable knowledge and assistance to clarify rules, and procedures, etc, and to ensure everything was above board.
Steve Bowie & Roger Everitt BMFA members of the Boxhill Model Helicopter Club, for offering their services as timekeepers and BMFA officials at extremely short notice. (On the day).
Mr Jim Pilcher (the owner of the site) for allowing his field to be used for my record breaking flight.
Dave O’Donoghue & The Rye Warbirds model flying club, for their co-operation with the frequency control for the day.
Paul ‘Mutts’ Foster for keeping everyone filled up with hot drinks and bacon sarnies all day.
Nigel Fraser Ker for all his advise and tips on how to set up and improve the model, and for locating the flying site and getting permission from Jim Pilcher, the land owner to use his field for this record attempt, and also for supplying the scales used in this record attempt, and general support throughout this venture.
Peter Spurway for offering his services as a BMFA Official to oversee this attempt, and all his advise on getting the correct documentation throughout our many telephone conversations, and to help ensure this record would be successfully ratified.
John French (BMFA Records Officer) for his impeccable knowledge and assistance to clarify rules, and procedures, etc, and to ensure everything was above board.
Steve Bowie & Roger Everitt BMFA members of the Boxhill Model Helicopter Club, for offering their services as timekeepers and BMFA officials at extremely short notice. (On the day).
Mr Jim Pilcher (the owner of the site) for allowing his field to be used for my record breaking flight.
Dave O’Donoghue & The Rye Warbirds model flying club, for their co-
Paul ‘Mutts’ Foster for keeping everyone filled up with hot drinks and bacon sarnies all day.
