Committee

Meet The Committee

Peter Brash -Chairman

I’ve wanted to try model flying on and off for decades, but life always got in the way until August 2020 when I finally took the plunge and joined this club. Right from the word go I was hooked. After many hours help and advice from an extremely patient instructor and numerous other club members, and a few little errors of judgement along the way, I passed my ‘A’ test.

So the challenge now is to improve on my basic flying skills (‘B’ test one day is the aim), start model building, and get into slope soaring which I’m told is a blast.


 

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Pier Bertacche – Secretary

 

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Walter De’Ath – Treasurer

I got into R/C model aircraft as a result of a film I was making in the 1980s. The film was about learning to fly and getting a PPL. Interviews with the trainees revealed what a buzz they got from learning but there was this lingering concern they had about what would they do to sustain their interest when they got their PPL.

Shortly after this film work, I was on holiday in France and saw a R/C model shop. Looking at the models I thought that this, rather than full size, was an affordable way to “keep the buzz of flying” long term. When I got home, it was off to Mick Charles and an application to the ERFC.

After a few years of enthusiasm, work and family took over. But I kept up my ERFC membership. Then in the noughties I had more time and have returned with enthusiasm to the sport. Ambitions? These are to explore electric fight (but not, absolutely not, give up IC), fly standard aerobatics better (or at all!) and continue to enjoy the craic at the ERFC.

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Doug Pratley – Vice Chairman

Started flying when I was 10 years old. Taught to fly by my dad at Croydon airport and then Epsom downs. I enjoy flying in competitions so much, the committee have decided I should run them instead. I fly I.C., electric, slope and rotary wing. As long as I’m flying aerobatics, I’m happy.

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Stuart Willis – BMFA Club Representative

My first venture into the world of model aircraft was at age 10 when I joined the School Aero Club then later in the Crawley Aero club, as it was then, flying control line combat models and free flight rubber models. My first model was a “Phantom Mite” constructed with the help of my father and the words that have been so true over the years: “If you built it, you can repair it”.
I got back into modelling in the late 1990’s – first with helicopters and later moved on to fixed-wing models. I enjoy very much; seeing others being able to take to the skies on their own and enjoy the sport as much as I do is a very rewarding experience.

I fly mainly radio-controlled models, both IC and electric, and both fixed-wing and rotary. I enjoy building as much as I do flying, spending many hours in my shed tinkering with wood and glue – as my tolerant wife would testify!

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  Doug Pratley Competition secretary

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Jim Christie Lay Member

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 Mick Brooks Lay Member

Being that I am still learning, I can’t really say much about my experience in this pastime! 
But I very much enjoy the different aspects of the hobby and feel that being a member of this great club provides many benefits. These include learning to fly, model building, socialising and just spending time on the flying field with like – minded people. I feel this is very important to my physical and mental well being and would encourage others to take up this very rewarding hobby.
 

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