Meet the Committee

I have been modelling for over 40 years and at HOEA for over 35. I'm a traditional builder in a world or 'ready built foam' models.
I love both building and flying. Not competition orientated I enjoy all aspects of our sport from Fixed wing, Indoor, Slope soaring, Scale helicopters and more recently Turbines. As a previous Chairman of the club for many years I want to ensure the club is an inviting friendly mixed flying club welcoming and supporting all at whatever skill level.
I am a BMFA Examiner and over the last few years have really enjoyed helping and guiding inexperienced members to achieve their A cert and fly solo.

I’ve been a member of HOEA now for around 12 consecutive years. My main passion is flying helis, but also fly fixed wing & FPV quadcopters. I’m a big advocate of keeping things simple & having fun. Having met some fantastic HOEA members over the years & forged some great friendships I value my sometimes-limited time up our flying field. Some days I am as happy just relaxing in the fresh air and chatting to members as I am actively flying. Looking forward to flying alongside you all. Let’s have plenty more blue skies & happy landings. Keep it sunny side up.

As a new associated member of the committee, I want to let you have a little background of my modeling background. I first flew radio control back in 1971, then as I matured, I started night clubbing, followed by marriage and kids so my hobby went out the window.
I decided last year to look around to see if I could renew my interest of the hobby I loved. I fortunately came across Heart of England Aeromodellers in Meriden and haven’t looked back.
It was a bit of a shock how flying models had changed so much, I was so pleased to of met such a helpful bunch of guys who educated me in all the new rules and regulations. I soon obtained my ‘A’ certificate through the club and started flying various models to find a plane that suited me. Although every flight is an education, I seem to have settled on EDF jets and warbirds, the EDF’s seem to be my preference at the moment so if anyone needs any help with their EDF although my experience is limited, I love to talk about them, hopefully not boring everyone.

My background’s in mechanical engineering and I’ve worked in a number of sectors over the years, including aerospace. From an early age, I’ve been interested in planes and how they fly. I first developed my passion for building and flying model aircraft when I was working as an apprentice at Westland Helicopters. At that time, everything was glued together from balsa wood covered in tissue paper to add strength, but luckily times have moved on a bit now, as has the technology behind building and flying model planes.
I haven’t always had the time I would have liked to be able to devote to my hobby but recently I’ve found myself with a little more free time. So, in 2023, I joined the Heart of England Aeromodellers club and I’m really enjoying it. Although I’m not yet able to fly solo, with the guidance of the club’s very helpful trainers, I’m now working towards my A certificate. This will give me the freedom to fly safely alongside the more experienced members of the club.