Flying

	Kestrels MFC membership is diverse in age, experience and expertise. With a range of pilots from beginners to experts, instructors and BMFA examiners, we have something for everyone. Join us and enjoy safe flying for fun. The Club is affiliated to the British Model Flying Association (BMFA), Club number 2505.
	Our flying site is not locked, has plenty of open space for safe flying/landing and can be used every day.
	Since we fly near the border between Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland, we welcome modellers from North and South and can provide BMFA membership, insurance and benefits to all Club members. We regularly fly at Letterkenny MFC and they often visit our flying field.

Our main flying site is a huge field beside the lake at Muckross, Kesh and particularly suitable for learners. We also have access to other indoor and outdoor flying sites across the country. We have a 'buddy box' system where dual controls allow an instructor to help beginners safely into the air for those first critical flights. We encourage all pilots to work towards the BMFA achievement certificates and have 2 active Examiners for aeroplane and helicopter tests.

Visit the Jet powered helicopter page and the L-39 Jet photograph page.

Secret weapon for next year!

The big L39 gets out in the evening sunshine.

At 96 inches from nose to tail, it's a handful to move around.
Looks very real in the air.

Another new model got some flying
on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Petrol power, Spektrum radio and Hitec servos.

A much older Tiger Moth from Letterkenny does a
touch and go on the runway.

Heading out to the runway for a last
flight before the light fades.

Flying into the evening again now.
You could be forgiven for mistaking this for
a full size helicopter on approach.

More scale models appearing in the good weather.
This one is 400 size electric power but looks and
flys like a much larger machine.

OS32 powers this Hirobo helicopter
looking very realistic.

Petrol in the proper tanks on this big Bell 47.

Perfect flying weather with a gentle breeze
down the runway makes landing a delight.

The 4 stroke engine on this scale model at
a slow idle speed adds to the realism.

T-Rex 700 with an Align 91 glow engine
and Radix blades after it's 1st day flying.

An Align governor makes throttle setup easy,
super quick digital servos give superb cyclic
and pitch response.

On board glow power unit makes for easy
engine starting.

The Hatori pipe works well with this engine
to give tremendous power.

The 'Magic' fun-fly ARTF.

This one is powered by an OS35, light
as a feather and goes very well.

The Great Planes 'Reactor' Biplane
A lively machine with 3 cell 2200 LiPo, 35A esc and
Hacker motor driving an apc 11x7e propellor.

Cruising in for a smooth touchdown on the landing strip.

Raptor 90SE sets off backwards for
another flight.

A 50 ic powered T-Rex 600 nitro joined the
usual fleet of electric 600s.

The big Extra was out again on Sunday flying until sundown.

A Tiger Moth sweeps past against the evening sky.

Raptor 30 electric power inside this Breitling Hughes 500.

We constantly refer to the Funjets as 'Ducks' and
get asked why -

Nigel has a new paint job and all is explained.

Latest proud BMFA 'A' Certificate owner.
Congratulations to Nicholas, he has made
excellent progress with his helicopters.

T-rex practising the hovering manoeuvers.

T-Rex 250 on the left, through to the T-Rex 600
on the right hand side - is this collection worth more than
the car they're sitting on?

Christmas and New Year flying weather was excellent,
bringing lots of old and new models out for some exercise.

Airwolf (T-Rex 600), Air Ambulance (Vario) and Bell 222
(also T-Rex 600) all arrived for a scale flying session.

Hirobo Lama looking well, waiting for a scale pilot.
Someone's been busy with the paint.

A reluctant MIG gets a bungee launch - it did fly, but
not very far... the ducted fan has since been replaced
with a pusher prop and a lighter motor.

The lights seem to get brighter as darkness
closes in.

It's getting dark early again - but that doesn't stop
this T-Rex 600, it just turns on the lights!

With 4-stroke power, this model sounded as well as it
looked flying at Kesh on Sunday afternoon.

Good weather again for more Jet flying on Sunday
at Letterkenny. Here are the 2 L39s ready for
take-off in the sunshine.

Electric Cougar - 3 cell 2600 LiPo and 45A speed controller
fit in place of the fuel tank; Hacker motor driving 12x6
APC prop and plenty of power for 15 minutes.

What's this? Reports of a UFO at Kesh?

Lots of good evenings for flying, even after dark.

Raptor 50 with red LEDs on the main blades, rope light around
the canopy, skids and tailboom. UV LED shines on luminous
tailblades which glow as bright as the boom light but they
don't show up in a photo. There is a LED spotlight pointing
down at the front to show the landing area.

(didn't get a photo of the the T-Rex 600 with night gear yet)

Looks like we will have lit up wings flying soon!

Wheels up, low and fast up the runway. Pity the lights aren't on......
	Extreme Flight YAK-54E. Just like a big shockflyer with a 3-cell LiPo, great fun to fly.
A sunny Tuesday evening's collection of electric powered aircraft (flying wings not included).
	Four turbine powered aircraft arrived on Sunday. Bobcat, L39, Harpoon and Boomerang.
Coming in low and fast - the L39 is very difficult to catch with the camera.
	The Harpoon touches down gently on the grass strip.
The L39, with around 80 flights, and the new Bobcat which flew very well on its first day out.
	Fantastic jet flying weather - this umbrella is rarely used as a sunshade, usually it's keeping the rain off.
Harry gets the Boomerang away again with a tremendous roar from the Jetcat P80.
	The Harpoon has flown - in the strong winds over the weekend. Vectored thrust makes this an extremely agile aircraft.
The next project is almost complete - this is the F15 Eagle. Two engines, ailerons and all moving tail surfaces.
	1/3 scale Pitts, petrol engine power makes a fantastic sounding fly past.
And then inverted, a beautiful aircraft.
	Christopher and Shane from Letterkenny MFC have fitted the brushless motors from their indoor aircraft into these two Piper Cubs.
Little and large: Bossanova and Mini Bossanova. OS55 power on the left, electric power on the right. Both flew together through the afternoon.
	This is the third 'Vanquish' to arrive at the flying field. Electric power - 15 minutes with a 4 cell pack and unlimited vertical performance. A beautiful model for precision aerobatic flying.
Lots of T-Rex bling; two 450's, a 500 and a 600.
	And two more 600's ready for a few more flights.
This Tiger Moth has been converted from IC to electric power with great success.
	A low pass (inverted just didn't look right).

Great flying weather recently and longer bright evenings. The L39 flew at the field on Wednesday evening; the Wren 44 started up and ran perfectly. The sound of the turbine attracted a few extra onlookers and the addictive smell of jet fuel had everyone flying till dusk.
	Sunday weather was fantastic for flying so there was a good turnout and a few more new models. This 'Black Horse' trainer is electric powered and very well built and finished.
Here it is on the strip heading out for a test flight.
	It was busy on the flight line as more prepared for take-off. Back at the lane there were others arriving.

The latest ARTF model from Chris Foss at the front. Helicopters, wings and aircraft everywhere.
	These young pilots put on some snappy flying displays.
And were always around to offer some help.
	Look carefully for the aircraft coming in to land.
Hard to believe that this was only last week!

	Electric powered T-Rex on the left, Wren turbine powered Predator on the right.
Easter arrived with better weather, longer evenings and the winter projects which have been waiting patiently for their first day out.
	This is the Hirobo Chinook test flying without the bodyshell fitted. OS50 powered, it looks and sounds great.
Another Hirobo model, the Lama is powered by an OS32. Very realistic scale.
	This Hughes 500 is built around a T-Rex 600 with electric power.
A slow fly past as the light fades.
	Scully complete with her ID at the controls!

The Boomerang gets another outing, plenty of power
from the 46 engine.

Someone trying a spot of Sunday afternoon fishing.

Heli training can be very demanding and requires
a lot of concentration.

Very nice model cruises down the strip on Sunday afternoon.

Electric power, over 6ft span and flying well in a breeze.

Davey is really enjoying his jet powered Boomerang.

Excellent weather for Jet practice on Saturday.
L39 in front followed by Avonds F-15 and Boomerang
ready for take-off.

A relaxed day's flying at the Kestrels site on
Sunday. Here's Nigel, very pleased after his third
successful landing.

This is the 'Rising Star', an excellent trainer.
Hi-visibility colous and great fun to fly.

Jack always enjoys a flight with the Boomerang trainer.

Davy is progressing well with his Raptor helicopter.

Smooth pirouettes and circuits in both directions,
steady nose-in hovering - could be another B test soon!

This Prangster gets a lot of flying at Kesh and beyond.
OS46 powered, JR radio.

SE5A - a famous WW1 aircraft

A Flair SE5A powered by an OS52 four stroke engine.
Near scale and a delight to fly.

Anything you want to know about autorotations - just ask this man!
	Gordon proudly accepts the Denis O'Hara Perpetual Memorial Trophy on behalf of Kestrels MFC. Presented by Howard, Chairman of the NIAA.
Jet powered Boomerang ready for takeoff.
	Low and fast, it's tricky getting a few pictures !
Finishing off a gallon of jet fuel after a very successful day's flying.
	A perfect touchdown on the grass strip.
Modellers gathering for a weekend flying session.
	The drastic way to cut some grass!
Water flying is popular, with helicopters too.

An aerial photograph of the flying site, plenty of room for learners here.
	Edward has just completed his first evening of solo flying - straight in to take-offs, then landings and finally solo in just a few hours!
Ken on his chair now confidently hovering his Raptor helicopter, buddy lead no longer necessary. Excellent progress in just a few months.
	Seamus adds some weight to the Shock Flyer, saying that it helps the prop hanging....
SE5A takes to the air again, thanks to Harry for the photo.
	Jetcat P80 powered Boomerang - sounds superb!
A selection of the indoor fleet, there are over 30 models at this Thursday evening meeting. Warning: indoor flying is addictive and can seriously improve your flying skills.

Flying

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