With all of the damage caused by mid-airs of incompatible models at VIMS (Twelve), time slots have now been introduced for EPP and similar models, as well a dedicated time for helicopters...  now the Blades have become more popular.  

All of the Nottingham University dates are now on these pages, as well as all Alfreton and Hucknall venues that are booked.......  they will appear too. 

Please reply to my emails with your intention to attend and VIMS ASAP if you have not already, so that I can keep the numbers manageable. 

This is primarily an R/C aircraft event, but limited helicopters are allowed in the corners and around the edges of the hall throughout the evening, and time slots during the evening. 

I think that with the Kyosho Miniums coming down in price, and with five variants now available, and HobbyZone have brought out some four channel indoor models.......the 27meg EPP fixed wing models have now come to the end of their life in the indoor halls.  They cause too much damage (even to the Miniums) in a scuffle or 'mid-air', so I think that they should be left out of the VIMS evenings (by popular demand). Check out all of this web sites pages, I have updated them all today, to reflect new models and thoughts. Please do email me with comments, or build notes, or just a good deal that you have for an indoor kit.

There is no committee, just myself hiring out a large room for the purpose of model aircraft flying.  To fly at one of my "fly-ins", pilots must hold  BMFA membership (or hold equivalent insurance), or be under the instruction of a BMFA member. The events are not for the general public, and are by invite only. If I decide that a model is not right for the venue or the way that we want the sessions to pan out, then that model will not be permitted at any future sessions. 

I know of flying sessions where the roof is too low, and so nothing more than level circuits can be achieved. Clubs that are mainly helicopters, where the planes have to dodge or fly around them. Clubs that are mainly free flight, and their builders 'tolerate' R/C models to keep the venue viable with numbers. Then there are the venues where Shock fliers are the predominant type of model. All of these clubs and events struggle with different types of models flying at the same time and so have to fly time slots.

I think that there are enough local indoor R/C aircraft pilots to warrant a site just for that discipline, and this is how I want VIMS to end up. Until that point in time is achieved, I will allow a limited number of 27 meg X-Twin type of models, and a few EPP indoor helicopters. The folk that fly the R/C models that I fly have spent a good deal of time building these models and don't need to see them taken out by an X-twin........ out of control due to 'channel robbing'.  We also believe that once you have seen these planes, and appreciate the effort and pleasure that we experience in achieving flight from such small and light components, that more pilots will want to join in with that art. If your model is indestructible, careless irresponsible flying will result, with resentment from the builders of the more 'delicate' models.

There are many local indoor flying clubs, and all have their little quirks and rules. It is for this reason that I have hired the hall for myself to fly the sort of planes that I prefer to fly.

This is not a 'public event' or 'organised club' as such, just a private hire of a public venue.... with pre invited guests. As such, don't just turn up on an evening and expect to fly. The number of fliers cannot be allowed become too large that any paying pilot has to wait a turn to fly, as they will have paid for that evenings flying like the rest. If you are prepared to pay for an evenings flying, most pilots consider that they would rather pay £10 and fly just as the mood takes them, than pay say £7 and have to wait around for your frequency peg or some free airspace. After one, or maybe even two events, we will have a better idea if that is still a fact.

If the number of R/C model aircraft hits a safe and sustainable figure, then that is the time to freeze the guest list. After that time, unless named guests leave the gathering, this list will not be added to. 

You can see that I don't mention club in any text, because that is the time to have a committee. Anyone could have, or still can hire this hall (or any other similar sized venue for an event of a slightly different discipline), if this series of flying  sessions does not end up ideal for your style of flying. They will have to do all of the organising, the satisfying of the venue rules, collecting of the flying contribution fee, tidying of the hall at the end of the session, and be responsible for any damage to furniture and fittings. To act as event organiser and as such be held liable by the venue as the guarantor for any cancellation of any pre-booked event. As yet, they have chosen not to.

Paul Harrison