THE HISTORY OF V.A.R.M.S The Annual Diary 1990 - 2009

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have won their Bronze because they enjoy the support and companionship of it all.
We propose an alternative; a pathway that supports and encourages the progression from the
training school into the exciting world of electric gliders. It will be a new grouping to be called
“Bronze Wings Electric Glider Group”. This group will be formed around the existing bunch of
enthusiastic MPX Easy Glider flyers who meet at Brigg’s Field each Sunday between 7.00am and
10.00am. Rob Page is already leading this group and has offered to formalise and expand its’
activities.
The second –
Bronze Wings – Approved Policy
Raoul Wynn
It remains the minimum requirement that Bronze Wings must be held by all those VARMS
members flying solo at Brigg’s Field. This policy to take full effect on the 1st July 2008, whilst
those holding VARMS “solo” rating can fly solo at Brigg’s Field before then.
March 2008 – Easter saw many scale enthusiasts hearding north to Jerilderie for the 4 th time for
what has become a well established event since the initial venture in 2005. The following list is
only some of the pilots and models in attendance :-
Danny & Steve Malcman Piper Cub tug Brian Simpson & Rod O’Neill
Neil Spencer & Henryk Kobylanski Big Stik tug Bill Hamilton Salto (with turbo)
Bill Bland Bird Dig tug & Asw-28 (7.5m) Rod Wadkins Mini Moa
Jim Houdalakis Duo Discus Gary McDougal K-8 (1/3 scale)
..... and many others.
How High Is My Glider?
This simple gauge will be able to tell you (see page 2).
(Note – to see pictures, document needs to be viewed in “Print Layout”. (View, Print
Layout).
It is also designed to be printed on A4 sized paper (8.27"x11.69"). I am told that you may
have to change your settings if you use “Letter” size paper (8.5"x11") in your printer.
You can measure the height either directly above or at 45 degrees up (which is safer). You can
also use the “directly above” scale to work out how far away you plane is, regardless of angle..
It’s based on wingspan of Cularis being 2.6 metres, and the distance from your eye to the card
being approximately 600mm (ie 60cm or 2 feet). Additional cards have now been added for the
1.8m Easy Glider and 1.37m Easy Star and any 2m glider. For bigger gliders, simply photoenlarge
it appropriately, eg for a 3m glider, enlarge the 2m version by 150%.
Cut the card out, remove the shaded triangle in the middle and, if you wish, stick the gauge to
some card, wood or plastic.
I recommend you have a friend measure the height of your plane while you put it into position and
concentrate on the flying!! Attaching the guide to your transmitter and measuring your own plane
while flying may cause loss of orientation.
Flying the plane directly above you can be dangerous as it is easy to lose orientation, so I have
also included a scale on the right to use when your plane is viewed 45 degrees up.
DIRECTLY ABOVE YOU
Hold gauge at arm’s length and have plane’s wings in view so they seem to touch BOTH sides of
the V at the same time. The scale on the LEFT tells you height.
FLYING AT 45 DEGREES ABOVE THE HORIZON (safer)
Fly plane towards you until it is 45 degrees up from the horizon.
Hold gauge at arm’s length and have plane’s wings in view so they seem to touch BOTH sides of
the V at the same time. The scale on the RIGHT tells you height. The scale on the LEFT tells you
Distance Away from you.