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 have been into wood all my life (that is balsawood) from the age of 6 or 7 going through the KeilKraft and Veron gliders followed by rubber powered then onto control line flying at Perry Hall and Cofton Park and ultimately radio control (mode 1 - I can’t change now). Flew with numerous clubs till in the 80’s settled at Avonvale MFC at Long Marston Airfield where I met our Chairman Steve. Organised the first Jet display in the midlands – learnt a lot from that! I carried on with our great likeminded modeller with an interest in aerobatics (Gangster, Mystic etc.)
I then had an epiphany and in 2000 as modelling was getting so expensive I learnt to fly full size wondering what it would look like INSIDE the plane rather than standing on the ground describing patterns. I flew all over USA, UK, and Europe in Pa28’s Cessnas, Slingsbys, Harvard’s etc. Did ratings in Night, Aerobatics, IMC etc Joined TakeFlight Aviation and became the “go to” member for design and marketing. We still run a small YouTube channel “cockpit conversations”.
My business till retiring was managing, designing graphics, video production, event and conference production for blue chip companies. (I hope those skills will be useful to the club going forward) Then I lost my medical. So, after a stint at making guitars (wood again) 3 years ago I’ve moved back into aeromodelling remembering and honing my skills. What a learning curve! Perspective is the killer, I have a B certificate but I’m always happy for advice from anyone and buddying up to get me back into the groove, conversely, I am happy to give advice on building techniques using that strange expensive thing called wood!
I first started flying at the age of 12 off a big hill I lived on in Newton Abbot in Devon. My models were all self-designed slope soarers and used 2 channel Accom’s Techniplus 27mhz radio. Everything crashed until I figured out up, down, left, right and how a plane works with slope lift. As I was also completely self-taught it took me a whole Summer to successfully build and fly.
At 13 and 3 months I joined the local Air Cadets (1322 Squadron) and got my hands on some proper gliders (model and full size) flew Chipmunks, Bulldogs, Vigilantes’ and had a great time.
Fast forward to 2004 and I found myself in the West Midlands, working as a Policeman and now married. I joined HOEA and was quickly taught how powered flight worked by Carl Noake. Carl became a lifelong friend and we had many hysterical flying days trying to get my various creations to fly.
In 2024 I’m a family Man with 17 and 15 yr old Girls, a very busy job in IT, full on MAMIL and very limited ‘fun time.’ However, the work life balance is returning and I’m back at the field again.
I have held various committee positions at HOEA and I’m now Treasurer. I still love flying slope soarers but equally enjoy powered fixed wing & electric helicopters. To be honest, if it flies, count me in. I instruct at the club and hold a fixed wing A & B and a Heli A. I’m working on my Examiners in my spare time!
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.
Hi, I’m Martin, I have been a member of HOEA since June 2023, I’m learning to fly Planes and Helis, I'm new to the world of model flight but not to RC models, I have been into RC modelling since I was 13, having a Tamiya RC car as my first model. I still run some cars and have been restoring my 1st Nitro Model. I love to tinker between flying
Learning to fly has been a steep learning curve and i have had some great help from members of HOEA, its a challenge but rewarding. I have been learning at the field and also on a simulator at home. I'm aiming to gain my BMFA A cert in Plane and Heli in the not so distance future.
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.