AEROMODELLING

Since January 2017, Aeroclub Mesogeion airmodeling activities have been started. A pioneer in this category is the airathlet Thanasis Dardaganis.

Aeromodelling is the construction and flight of small flying devices, which do not carry humans. Aimed at those who love construction and flight. As models can be considered the first flying devices, and today still extensively used in the testing of new ideas in aeronautics. The airplane modeler should have a wide range of knowledge (physics, chemistry, engineering, aerodynamics), construction skills, imagination and ingenuity. All these characteristics help in the design of the various subsystems of a model and solve problems that occur during the phases of each model evolution. The Aeromodelling therefore gives an incentive to complete our knowledge, but also the development of our skills. We have to have patience and perseverance, to devote many hours to the construction, testing, our model settings, as well as many hours will be needed to educate ourselves on the model operation in flight.

The modeler must have wide range of knowledge, manufacturing skills, imagination and ingenuity.

The airplane modeler can design and build an entire model from the outset, or use-assemble finished parts, which may be the frame, the engine, the radio control system, the undercarriage, the drive system etc. Practically, we use a construction plan or kit (design and materials), or type of ARF (Almost ready to Fly) and we get ready engines, ready transmitter systems, ready-legs (possibly retractable). Nowadays, the most common category is the ARF, since they require less construction time. Using AFR, we get a model "almost ready to fly," missing only the engine and radio control system.

Weighing of model aircraft

The first construction should be done under the guidance and supervision of an experienced modeler-trainer. This will help the young modeler obtaining a sense of construction requirements, in order to get a reliable and safe construction. The trainer is the one who will make the final checks and will test the first model in the air. This will avoid construction mistakes that may make our model unable to fly or even worse and unsafe.

Thanasis Dardaganis’s Mirage 2000 model

Along with the construction, we will have to train ourselves to handle the model in flight. To this end, we connect two units (transmitters), instructor-learner, and / or use special simulators to our computer (with remote control same as transmitter). As in normal aircraft will first fly high, while we will learn takeoffs and landings in the end. We must learn to distinguish the air model attitude (eg banking right, or left and approaching), and to properly appreciate the flight data at any time (do not forget that we do not have flights instruments available, as in a normal aircraft). If you want to fly your model in a common area with other modeler, you must be informed of the rules every time. Moreover, the modeler must have a general knowledge of the National Law and relevant regulations of ELAO.

Using a simulator for training in virtual flight of a model aircraft