Hi All
The days are getting noticeably longer and the sun is getting higher in the sky sooner. So the chances of flying are becoming more often. The ground also is drying so hopefully we should be able to drive up to the pits soon.

Could members who are now flying with 2.4ghz radios make a frequency board with their name and 2.4ghz on it then place it at the right hand end of the control compound when flying. One thing I have found as an instructor is that if I have been teaching on 2.4ghz for a while then go back to 35mhz I have to make an effort to remember to put up the aerial as it is too easy to forget. So if you are flying both 2.4 and 35 make sure of your pre-take off checks.

At the field there has been talk about how to look after batteries. As the technology keeps changing as well as different types of batteries  come on line it is hard to give hard and fast rules . So what I am about to write is only what has worked for me.
If the batteries are NiCd then to charge them overnight with the charger, that came with the radio, the night before you fly is fine, but this will not let you know if there is a problem with the battery. So to use a charger that can cycle the battery is a good idea. By discharging a fully charged battery at half its capacity it should take two hours to discharge and the capacity reading should be the same or more than written on the battery. A reading which is less could signal a problem. I cycle them every couple of months or if I have any doubts about a battery, like it not lasting as long as I think it should. 
If the batteries are Nimh they will need to be charged using an appropriate charger and in line with manufacturer’s instructions. Though I still cycle Nimh to check I have full capacity every couple of months.
To cycle batteries in models and transmitters that are not used often is a good idea , as batteries do not seem to like not being used. Also fitting an onboard battery checker that you can see could give you some warning of a battery going down.

If in doubt as always do not fly.

Before the AGM a member asked if he could fly gas-turbines at the field. As the Committee knew little about operating  gas-turbines a lot of research about them was needed. After checking out the guidance from the BMFA and looking at other sources of information, the Committee decided that with the restrictions of the flying field, flying gas-turbines should not be allowed. A new rule has been added to the Flying Rules for Tonbridge to this effect.

We have received the Gun Club dates for this year they are:
March 30th
April 20th
May 18th
June 8th and 29th
July 20th
August 10th and 24th
Sept 21st
Oct 5th
By the next newsletter members who have hibernated for winter should be back and flying should be in full swing with more A tests to be done.

Next newsletter will be May.

Regards Steve