Hovering the Fury 50

The following photographs show various views of my X-Cell Fury 50 Expert. These US made helicopter kits are of extremely high quality and as a result a pleasure to both build and fly. To complete my Fury I used the following additional components,

The following photographs were taken on the hockey pitch adjacent to the main Founder's building at Royal Holloway College University of London (Thanks to Kirsten and Nick for taking the photographs).

I originally brought a Kalt Baron 20MX helicopter whilst studying as postgraduate at Royal Holloway back in 1987. At this time there were no simulators and very few people or clubs that could help with this hobby. After several expensive crashes I just about managed to learn to hover tail-in. However I didn't progress beyond this stage as I had reached the point where I could no longer afford to re-build and maintain the Baron after each crash, a postgrad's grant only goes so far!

At the end of that summer and after a final crash, I brought the necessary spare components required to re-build the Baron. It then took me a further 15 years before the repair was complete! In the intervening period I re-directed my efforts and learnt to fly fixed-wing models. These are a lot cheaper in all respects, easier to fly, but no where near as challenging!

Since re-building the Baron I have not yet flown it, I promised myself that I would first develop my flying to the point where I would be able to control it in a relaxed and enjoyable manner. Hopefully the Baron will take to the air later this summer.

Back in 1987 I used to practice my hovering at this very place on the Royal Holloway hockey pitch. Now many years later I'm back and finally able to fly! I'm looking forward to returning here with the Baron and finally flying it, this time there will be no crashes!

In the above photograph you can see me hovering nose-in. This was actually only the second time I had attempted this with my Fury. My first attempt had been carried out on the previous day. Prior to this I had only ever hovered the Fury nose-in whilst on a buddy lead with Dave Fisher. Dave runs the excellent Flyin' Fish helicopter/fixed-wing flying school. Flyin' Fish gets my highest possible level of recommendation!

The last two days pushed me past an important and significant psychological barrier. I'd been hovering my indoor Hoverfly in all possible orientations for some time, and you would expect that extending this to my Fury would have been easy. In theory it should have been, but in practice it's terrifying! The fear of crashing and damaging your pride and joy is completely overwhelming, thankfully now this fear doesn't seem quite so bad!

This photograph shows the Fury hovering nose-left. The Royal Holloway Founder's building in the background makes for an impressive backdrop.

I also own and fly a Century Hawk. Interestingly the Hawk's orange/red canopy blends in with the colour of the red brick Founder's building which can be a little disorientating. I'm hoping that this is something I will learn to cope with as I gain further confidence with my flying.

The final photograph shows the Fury hovering nose-right, prior to flying a slow figure-of-eight, part of my BMFA A certificate practice routine. The practice must have been worthwhile, as I have since passed the test!

More pictures and possibly some video soon...