ETSA Park with the Phoenix in October.
Small numbers at indoor venues usually mean a lot of flying for everyone but it does not give much assistance to paying the rent. When that happens it upsets two of the facets – firstly, The Southern Soaring League misses out because we do not have a surplus, and, secondly, Model Flight have to pick up the tab for the outstanding amount.
The Phoenix doesn’t weep too many tears of blood when the SSL misses out for they have little, if any, input to the success of these outings. They just sit back and reap the benefits. Occasionally, when time permits in his busy schedule, we do see the Presidential presence of Mark but, sadly, he doesn’t join the flying group these days, which is our loss as much as his.
As for the shortfall in the rent, M/F has been paying that whenever it is required.
There have been a few reasons over the past months on why our numbers have depleted somewhat – lack of flying space when we have been restricted to one court area – cold winter evenings are not conducive to one leaving the warmth of one’s living room – but, possibly a lot of strength has been added to the reason that it has all been caused by the threat of the introduction of a list of futile rules that have been proven as unworkable at ETSA Park. Now, just let me delve a little deeper into those excuses.
Over the last three outings, we have had ample flying space and, on most occasions the entire netball area and, even with full overhead lighting. Perfect conditions.
The cold winter evenings? Yes, they have been bitterly cold but there is a huge improvement expected from now on and, in fact, the October evening, of which I write on this instance, was a delightfully balmy evening. (Golly – balmy – I wax lyrically!)
So that brings me to those phantom rules which were never more than flushes in the proverbial pan, right from the beginning. There are not really any rules that can affect our ETSA Park venue. Well, perhaps, if it was not policed there could be one and that is non-affiliated MASA Membership. This has been a bit of a scare that was introduced by “the heavies” with the hope of putting a spanner in the works. BUT! As we do not have any regular flyers who are not members of a required club, that is no concern of ours. One of their spies came along on two occasions and, not only did he wreck his own heli, but took another out with it, and managed to damage his own on the next occasion. He has not been back since and I spent no time in posting him a sympathy card. Oh, shame Phoenix.
Then we have a member of “The Bill” who sits himself down with his little red clip board, making notes. That has worried some of the flyers. “ What notes does he take,” they ask, “and when he has them, to whom does he report?” Whilst he doesn’t appear to be up to much good, I regret that I cannot answer those questions, except to say that I think he is harmless.
Can we give it another chance guys. Can we forget all those attempts, by a small handful of people who are hell bent on damaging the indoor movement, and see if we cant regain our usual 20 to 25 attendees. The gallery is being visited by many appreciative people but lately, there has been a pathetically small amount of “stuff” for them to watch.
Okay, dear readers, that’s my gripe for this year. Now let me talk about our last night on October 19. So we only had 9 flyers. Do you know what that meant? Apart from being a disappointing mass, it meant oodles of flying time and space for those who took sufficient battery packs to keep their aircraft flying.
Many years ago, my wife and I had the pleasure of staying at the Travelodge Motel on the outskirts of the city of Melbourne, where their symbol and slogan were, “The Picture Of Perfect Relaxation” and the symbol was a person relaxing on a deck chair. This was exhibited in coloured tiles on the floor of their swimming pool.
Now come on Phoenix, you are all saying, what does that have to do with October’s indoor night at ETSA Park. Gosh you’re an impatient lot. If you take the time to look at my first picky, you’ll see the picture of perfect relaxation as Justin Galbraith flies, from a reclining position, one of his highly illuminated (with Scott Browning’s products) foamies. This was possible because of the enormous space that was available on the night.
Another to fly himself silly was Don Rosella who brought along a full squadron of helicopters and proceeded to fly them (and damage one) throughout the night. Don, together with Justin, gave a delightful demonstration with a pair of T-Rex’s and this, alone, was great value for those present.
The country boys, who rarely miss a night were even a little light on for reps on this night but that cast no shadow over their enjoyment – something which they share regularly.
I went to my favourite Hobby Shop a few weeks ago and purchased a new charger contraption. I had been struggling with my power supply with my earlier DC model Swallow and decided to break out and go for broke with the Swallow AC/DC 2. What a remarkable piece of electronic wizardry it is. You can shoot over to M/F’s Web Site to read the huge list of capabilities of this model, to save me printing it all here again and you’ll find a picture of it there. For under $140 it’s a must, particularly for the indoor contingent as power points are not hard to find at ETSA Park.
I had put a larger battery pack in my model, no doubt at the risk of folding the wings and having charged it sufficiently with my Swallow 2, I had the most enjoyable night of flying since I began indoor electrics, oh so long ago.
 The honeymoon really MUST be over by now because it was good to have Calvin Puah back at ETSA and, together with Tony Browning, spent considerable time tuning their helicopter, but even then preserving sufficient time to look at my camera.
Between now and next month’s story, your friendly Phoenix is taking his digi into the back room at Model Flight to give you an insight on their mailing facility and a few other facets that one would not normally see. I was going to get real toffy there and say “bare witness to”, but I wasn’t sure whether one bares or bears, and having managed to keep out of the law courts all these years, I don’t know much about witnessing or witnesses. 
In closing this epistle according to The Phoenix, dear friends, I feel sure that I should advise you all that we will again take communion at ETSA Park Netball Stadium, Railway Terrace, Mile End on Thursday, 16th November. As it is getting just SO close to Christmas, you should all be concentrating on just which model aeroplane or helicopter you will be giving your wife or mother-in-law this year.
A Swallow AC/DC 2 would be such an easy object to gift wrap.
Phoenix Indoor Flight Reports
Indoor Flying at ETSA Park 2008
| Date |
Court |
Time |
| August 21st |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| September 18th |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| October 16th |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| November 20th |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| December 18th |
1 |
8.30-10.30pm |
| |
|
|
|
I
want a quote on how much freight it will cost to send items to me.
