Radio Aeromodellers' Association Ipswich District
Model flying at Haigslea, near Ipswich.
Electric and nitro planes on a big grass strip, 20 minutes from Ipswich. We fly Wednesdays from 7:30 am and Sundays from 8 am, and beginners of any age are welcome.
Come and see us fly. Have you flown before?
Pick one and choose a morning. Visiting is free.
Flying this week
Members fly most mornings when the weather's good. For safety, there are always at least two people at the field.
About RAAID
The flying field
The flying field is a large north-facing field on a rural property at Haigslea.
As the photos show, the field varies between lush green and crispy brown, depending on the rainfall, or lack of it.
Members can join a roster to mow the field, and receive a reduction in membership fees.
The field is on private land, so we send directions when you book a visit.
About the wind readings. The wind display comes from weather stations near the field, including one at Sprenger's Farm. The actual wind at the field may differ, because the stations are near trees and the field is more exposed.
Equipment
Both electric and nitro powered planes are flown at the field.
Electric powered
Electric powered planes are very easy to operate, and the battery typically lasts about 10 minutes.Take care with storing and charging the lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries that power electric planes. Members can help beginners with the safety procedures, and there's a lot of information online.
Nitro powered
Nitro powered planes take more work to set up and maintain, but the reward is the sweet smell of nitro!Fuel can be bought pre-mixed, or many members mix their own from methanol, nitromethane and oil. Engines can be two or four-stroke, and some are designed to run on straight petrol.
More information
Radio transmitter
However your plane is powered, the same radio transmitter is used. Modern transmitters can fly hundreds of different models, each stored with its own settings, such as trim and switch functions.
Membership
Membership is invited from interested hobbyists, whatever your experience. Once approved, all memberships are due for renewal on 1 July.
The club has members who are keen to train beginners of any age. We usually use a buddy box: the student's radio is connected to the instructor's radio.
That way the student gradually gains experience controlling the plane, without much risk of crashing it, because the instructor can always take control.
Book a visit first