Club Secretary Steve Pontin-Warltier
It’s been just over four years since Stephen Pontin-Warltier a long-time model aircraft enthusiast, formed the Cayman Islands Model Flying Association along with fellow enthusiast Andre Archer.
“Andre and I were probably the founding members. There were pockets of people flying all over but nobody was organised. I put an advertisement in the newspaper January 2007 and we formed the club,” he said.
President of the club, Andre Archer said, “I started off seriously in 1984, with model helicopters, after watching the TV show Air Wolf.”
Mr. Pontin-Warltier has been fascinated by model aircraft since he was ten years old. “There was no radio when I started. They just set a little bit of rudder and flew round in a big circle. When the gas ran out they came down and you just hoped they landed O.K.” he said.
Today Mr. Pontin-Warltier is the proud owner of more than 20 model aircraft.
The one he was getting ready cost around CI$900, including the radio. “This one’s engine works on ordinary petrol with a synthetic oil. It’s a two stroke engine.
“There’s a smoke system on it and when I throw a switch it’ll leave a trail of smoke behind it,” he said. “You can’t start off flying this…you’ve got to start off flying a trainer. A trainer is much easier to fly,” he says. A trainer is also a lot cheaper, costing only about half the price of the one Mr. Pontin-Warltier was busy preparing.
The club presently has 27 members who once a week meet on a piece of open ground at the end of Sparkys Drive in George Town.
Kids are also encouraged to get involved and the youngest member, Mr. Pontin-Warltier’s son, is only five years old.
Flying can be much harder than people think, according to Mr. Pontin-Warltier, and even pilots of full-sized aircraft make the mistake of underestimating the difficulty of remotely flying a model.
The Association strives to be beginner-friendly, so anyone who is interested can come along to the meetings and try their hand at flying a trainer aircraft, using dual control-boxes called ‘buddy boxes,’ before committing themselves to buying an aircraft.
For those who join, the club offers a step-by-step programme of tuition and support. “We have an award scheme to recognise competence and safety. The first stage is the Bronze Certificate, which allows the club member to fly without an instructor. “The Silver certificate basically is the next step; and Gold is really for experts.” he said.
Those who are interested in joining the Association can call 916 2327 or visit the website: Cimfa.ky
