Raptor Sunny Clouds

...a ray of sunshine

The weather this autumn and winter has been dreadfully windy, all the more remarkable given that this is usually the stillest time of the year and the opportunity I'd taken to fly off the lake in the still afternoons.

However, there have been a few occasions when the gusting northerly has abated and yielded bejewelled afternoons, like this one.

Heading down to my usual spot, lovely cumulus decorated the vivid blue sky, the dark grey of their undersides vividly contrasting with the sparkling white of their peaks. As on the best late-afternoons, the clear horizon allowed a full spread of lush, golden sunlight to drench the lush greenery of the fields and add a sense of magical perfection to the scene.

These are my favourite flying conditions, preferred to sunny mornings or even lovely sunrises, except for when I'm suddenly wanting to capture a special moment of exceptional light, or beautiful cloud formation, or ibis flying formation.

Fortunately, in some cases such as this, I don't need to worry as I've got the video running and I can enjoy the moment. Flying the Raptor now is lovely, my favourite being it's red and white wings contrasting vividly with the blue and greys of the sky as it sweeps past...

Firstar Sunrise III

...and lovely clouds

Another lovely morning from a few weeks ago, perfect for for a pre-work sunrise flight. The Firstar is a good camera platform, although I haven't been able to use it for FPV due to interference issues with my Taranis radio.

Also, the motor configuration means it doesn't climb very well. However this will soon change; I'm getting some bandpass filters which will hopefully resolve the 2.4GHz interference, and I'm planning to replace the prop with a low-mounted EDF unit to eliminate the down-thrust of the stock unit.

So, we'll see how these changes pan out; here's hoping for some cloud soaring...

Raptor Glider 2000. Gorgeous Clouds.

...beautiful afternoon to be in the sky

I love clouds, especially crisp fresh clouds. Or wispy clouds driven by high chill winds. But especially good are those times when you're treated to a dramatic combination of developing clouds made more dramatic, in this case, by warm afternoon glow from the opposite horizon.

The conditions were windy and a little turbulent, as you might imagine, but nothing to deter the Raptor from having a bit of fun cruising around and surfing the breeze.

Fying with such gorgeous sky scenery is a real treat, and one of those occasions on which I'm so happy to be able to get something in the sky and be a part of nature's beautiful spectacle.

Floater FPV Clouds

...getting there

Lately I've been doing a lot of FPV flying, almost all of it with the Floater Jet, as I try to fine-tune the system and push the boundaries to determine what's reliably possible.

Although the flying isn't spectacular, one benefit is that there's plenty of pleasant scenery and, on this particular afternoon, lovely clouds in abundance.

While the FPV system doesn't have the capability to go flying in the clouds, it's enough to get a pleasant view and see the cloud footprints dotting the landscape.

So far the mobius and dock have managed to go 1.2km while still maintaining a clear, if graining, picture. As regards height I wouldn't not sure as my estimation is not very accurate.

However we'll be getting a variometer with altimeter soon, so will be able to check how we're doing on altitude...

Floater Jet Hill Flying

..chilled-out cruising

The journey into the hills to slope soar the Floater Jet on the strong westerly wind had turned out disappointing; the slope-facing breeze sliding away to the north with the Floater Jet barely for a few minutes. 

Soaring out of the question, I lay on the hilltop watching the clouds changing until the breeze had abated. With the sky clearing as well, I loaded a fresh battery into the Floater for a pleasant cruise around the slopes.

The sky cleared as I flew, with the sun coming through increasingly to bathe the ridge in golden rays and give some warm texture to the clouds. 

No lift of course, but nevertheless a leisurely twenty minutes flying, turning in to the ridge-top only when the battery was depleted…

Dynam DC 3 Dakota 1470mm. Clouds.

...beautiful afternoon

My favourite flying conditions, usually, are when it's sunny with interesting clouds. This afternoon was also quite windy and gusty, not unpleasantly so but not ideal for the Dynam DC3 which isn't as stable and docile as one would imagine.

Nevertheless, with developing clouds sweeping across the field, it made for a wonderful backdrop to cruising the DC3 around.

Despite twin props, the DC3 doesn't even approach being rapid, so full-throttle flypasts are moderately brisk accompanied by a faint high-pitched whine.

But it's still good to punt around, and of course looks the deal even if it's nastier to fly than the full-scale original...

Hobbyking Stinger 64 EDF. Sunny Clouds.

...beautiful sunny clouds

Some days flying is really good, especially when the sky is doing something special. This was one of those days, with bright sun, brilliant blue sky and more kinds of interesting clouds than you could wish for.

It was pretty breezy; a moderate southerly which quickly developed, but nothing too much to bother the Stinger. With its augmented stripes I’m more confident with the turns, and having it screeching across the fields and soaring into the sky is always a lovely thing.

Watching the video again, with the beautiful sky and the Stinger having fun, was certainly a tonic for the rather miserable weather of late...

CL-415 Canadair 1390mm. Field Takeoffs & Landings.

...cruising on a beautiful morning

Winter can be a bit challenging when it comes to flying with grey rainy days and dull mornings. However, one bonus it that you do get to see sunrises, when they happen.

Taking the Canadair to the field the other day I was treated to a lovely sunrise, made more enjoyable by having the Canadair to cruise around.

As usual, if there's something worthwhile I get the camera out, and in this case put it on top the Canadair to get an elevated view of the sunrise. And, for a bit of extra fun, included a couple of takeoffs and landings in the flight...

Stormclouds and Rarebear

...lovely contrast

The weather this morning wasn't great, with imminent drizzle threatening to cut short any attempt at flying and overnight rain meaning wet shoes would be guaranteed for my efforts.

The afternoon was, however, somewhat better so I headed to the field with the DC-3 and the Rarebear. I punted the docile Dakota around for a while and then, feeling like something a little more energetic, brought it in and got the little buzzy ready.

By this time heavy storm clouds had rolled in, providing a lovely contrast to the few adjacent patches of blue and, of course, the little white form of the Rarebear. Being quite picturesque, I landed it and dashed off to the car to get the Mobius.

Now, low light conditions aren't the Mobius' strong point, but I hope that the footage will at least capture a little of the lovely variety of cloud textures and colours...

Between Sunrise and Rain

...changeable and ephemeral

This morning I was treated to a beautiful sunrise en-route to the field, however by the time I arrived the beautiful morning show of pastels had faded. Nevertheless, the light was good and I have the Canadair sweeping into the sky in no time.

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It's flight was cut a little short, however, by the arrival of a shower so, landing it quickly, I hurriedly powered up the Rarebear and let it rip for a quick blast, hopefully before things got too damp.

With tubby exercised and gliding in for a beautiful touchdown, I headed back to the car to dry off my radio, which I don't think appreciated the rain...

DC-3. Morning Clouds.

...surprise and delight

A couple of days ago the weather quietened enough to take the DC-3 along for a morning flight. Although calm enough to fly, a grey blanket of cloud and the imminent threat of rain wasn't a promising outlook.

A few large raindrops beginning to fall as I unpacked the Dak, determined to get a quick flight in if possible. Fortunately the rain held off and, more surprisingly, the heavy clouds has dissipated sufficiently for the dawn to illuminate firstly the adjacent clouds and then, a little later, those floating on the opposite horizon.

The clouds didn't clear enough to actually get any sun, so conditions were a little dull. However it was nevertheless a lovely morning's flying; a beautiful morning cloud show always turning an outing into a special occasion...

Sensational Sunset

...a gorgeous spectacle

Today was grey almost from start to finish, overcast with scattered showers. However, late in the day, the wind shifted to a warm northerly, clearing the west and developing the western clouds into a lovely assortment of types and altitudes.

The field was mostly empty so I quickly had the Floater Jet packaged with a camera and launched into the lovely afternoon sky to get some video of the sky show.

I'm a fan of mist and clouds; as regards the latter, particularly those interesting collections you get in the early morning or late evening, when shapes have developed in relative stillness.

This evening was a charmer, a clear west showing the gradually sinking sun and a collection of clouds on the opposite horizon,  an aerial canvas for the low angle of the sun to render in beautiful shades...

Tranquil Morning Clouds

...why I like flying

By the time I reached the field this morning the dull overcast sky had developed interesting cloud shapes, with the light of the just-rising sun beginning to colour them.

I had the Canadair and Rarebear along, anticipating a morning of gentle cruising and low flying over the paddocks. The Canadair is nice for this; easy to fly but also capable of gliding quite happily, although obviously not as efficiently as a glider.

Flying in a beautiful sky is wonderful therapy; gazing up and enjoying the changing colours of dawn is relaxing and refreshing, but having a plane in the sky makes this experience even better...

Fox Clouds

...exquisite tranquility

Yesterday evening was a rarity; the gusty weather of the afternoon abated whilst there was sufficient light to fly. Additionally, and most compellingly, the greasy cloud cover of the day have developed into a beautiful array of shapes colours and textures, enough to have me grabbing the Fox glider and heading for the door; delicate balances like this don't last forever.

Despite remnant players from the afternoon cricket match and a boisterous Retriever pup being walked on the field, I decided to get the Fox up so, with a bare minimum of preparation (no pre-flight video!) I had the Fox purring sweetly into the lovely evening sky.

Flying was an absolute joy, scenic and incredibly tranquil; the only detraction was having to cut the flight a little short as, with the field mostly ringed by trees, having enough power on tap to clear them is imperative.

Nevertheless, darkness was encroaching by the time the Fox bumped over the cricket pitch for a landing, and I headed for home with the lingering delight of having experienced something special...

The Big Chill

...airborne meditation

Following my efforts to get the Canadair airborne, and considering I only get two goes a week due to lake access, I've been chilling out flying the Phoenix, interspersed with a bit of high-speed fun flying the Radjet (aka buzzy jet )and Rarebear (aka little buzzy) around the paddock.

Having suffered reconstruction nerves, which saw the Rarebear nosediving on launch and the Radjet almost knife-edging into the lake, I've now got both of them launching most enjoyably.

The last couple of outings I have also been enjoying a little meditation with the Phoenix, climbing it hard till just under the clouds and then letting it float down slowly, hanging almost motionless in the air with the flaps down. Today, with winds gathering up high, the Phoenix was actually drifting downwind, almost imperceptibly, despite there being barely a breath of wind on the ground...

Another Miracle Day

...serenity follows

Yesterday was another miracle flying day. The morning was dreadful, overcast, drizzly and windy and, as the day progressed, the winds grew more ferocious by the hour. I had packed the buzzies, the Radjet and Rarebear, on the off chance the weather may ease, however by mid day I'd abandoned the idea of getting a late fly.

However, by mid afternoon the wind had abated to a steady northerly breeze and, a little later, the sun had slid past the western extent of the clouds and illuminated everything in a rich warm afternoon glow.

Catching sight of the lustrous sunbeams as I pushed open the blinds, I deserted the keyboard mid-sentence and headed for the field. My usual spot was occupied by the advance-guard of afternoon sports practice, so I ended at my back-up field. The afternoon was glorious; clean-blown air, majestic clouds, emerald green fields, and all bathed in lustrous light from the late afternoon sun.

The Rarebear got to go first, soaring through the freshly-laundered skies and looping as it does with the agility of a swift. I still only fly it on half throttle, which is comfortably fast, and occasionally at about three-quarters, which is excessively fast. Anyone who can fly this thing at full throttle must be a deity.

I was halfway through the Rarebear's flight routine when I was interrupted by strident calls from behind me, someone calling off their dog. Only looking from the corner of my vision, one does need to pay attention when flying, I saw a large dark-coloured dog bounding across the field heading straight for me.

From the desperate sound of the voice behesting the beast to return, the yelled assurances it wouldn't bite me and the glimpse I'd managed to see of it, I presumed it must be something like an out-of-control rottweiler, so was prepared for a vicious greeting at any second.

The dog arrived and I glanced down momentarily to know my attacker; it was an elderly dog, well greyed around the muzzle and certainly not ferocious by any description. In fact, as it's owner continued to yell, I was quite sorry that I wasn't able to give this friendly visitor the greeting and attention it deserved...

Spectacular Cloudshow

...a stunning morning display

With rain forecast later in the day, the sky was studded with an amazing selection of cumulus and stratus.

The northeast was already tinged in orange when I arrived as the remainder still slumbered in hues of blue and grey...

The views were so spectacular and rapidly changing that I interrupted the Phoenix's morning exercise to capture the moment...

A flock of black and white Ibis wheeled across the field as they arrived for their morning feed...

The first rays of the morning ignite the head of a cumulus in vivid explosion of light...

Pastel Shades of Flight

...after a very hot day

As evening approached, the heat abated and winds dropped enough to scramble down the road for a dusk flight.

Clouds had amassed with the dropping temperatures, so the setting sun had a blank canvas on which to display fading pastel hues of orange and pink, a vivid contrast to the increasingly dark grey of the clouds.

The gentle cool breeze was a welcome change from the heat of the day as I let the Walrus loose through the skies in a cathartic display of aerobatics and low-passes across the field. Eventually satiated, I dropped off the power and gently cruised the plane as evening approached until, the light fading I turned the Walrus in on finals.

A typically floaty landing would have rounded off a lovely evening's flying, however I had misjudged the wind direction and had the Walrus side-on to the breeze. This sharply tilted the wings, causing the Walrus to thump onto the turf in one of the worst landings it's had.

There's always something...

Serenity at High Altitude

...an extraordinary flight


I had a completely serene flying experience this morning.

The weather was heavily overcast with a multitude of textures and colours of heavy rain clouds covering the sky. It was almost completely still with just the slightest suggestion of a breeze on the ground with a feel of the moisture in the air.

I threw the Walrus up and did a bit of aerobatics to warm up the servos and them did a run over the kangaroo ground to see how they were doing. Having completed these missions I was wondering what was next, so set the Walrus with a hint of up-elevator with moderate throttle and let it go.

With the cool morning air the Walrus climbed quickly and steadily until it was just a snippet of a plane high in the air, communing with the clouds.

A wing of Sacred Ibis flew over in a perfect V-formation heading north, their pale colouring contrasting with the dark clouds above them.

I took this restful opportunity to take the first ever photo of the Walrus flying as up till now I haven't wanted to take the risk...

Evening Rain

...four seasons in one day

The breezy morning turned into an immaculate day, becoming an overcast afternoon which  developed into showers, finally becoming an evening of settled rain. At this rate I can't see much change of getting into the air tomorrow.

Anyhow, it's nice to be inside listening to the patter of rain on the roof and garden, particularly as it's been a week or two since we've had any rain to mention...