Northern Helicopter Modellers Club N.Z

New Zealand's only Model Aero Club dedicated solely to Radio Control Model Helicopters.

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Wayne Murtagh Wedding Day

Something a little unusual, I received a request from Wayne Murtagh. Wayne is a member of the Northern Helicopter Modellers Club who resides in Taupo, Wayne asked me if I could help him out on  the biggest day of his life, Wayne was exchanging vows with his fiancée, Mandy. The church & wedding reception would be held at the world famous Huka Falls Lodge in Taupo. Wayne had visions of my EC135 Turbine Heli delivering the rings to the church entrance, I couldn’t say no as Wayne is a great guy & I’m happy to help out a fellow club member. The preparation started months prior to D-day. By organizing a dry run weeks in advance, this gave us a better idea of what would be expected from us on the day, I’m happy to say it was possible, depending on Mother Nature on the actual day.

With only a couple of weeks for preparation, time was running out fast.            

My Vario upgrade parts had arrived just in the nick of time, the items I received consisted of carbon tail rotor blades, 8 in fact (suited the Freston tail gearbox system) The carbon tail blades will give me more tail control in cross winds situations that we might encounter on the day, plus wiper blades & a Fire Extinguisher all helps to finishing off a scale bird,

The day was upon us, we set out for Taupo at sparrow’s fart, this gave us plenty of time for a morning fly, at one of the best flying sites in the country. The “pressure” of delivering the rings would come apparent around 2.30pm. After a successful morning test fly, which consisted of running through the start up procedures, trimming the model for the wind direction according to the prediction for the afternoon’s weather which was looking good. The only thing left was to wait for a very nervous Wayne to hand over the rings, so they could be placed on the front seat of the EC135.

We arrived early at Huka Lodge, giving us time to set up the EC135  between the grape vines hoping none of the guests could see us. After placing the rings on the front seat we were ready for a cell phone call from Wayne giving me the word “start your engine” I’m not sure who was more nervous, Wayne or me, it turned out everything ran like clock work, Great time, Great experience, Great couple.

Thanks goes to Clayton Mitchell for his time & effort helping out especially with the “Landing by instruments” when the pilot couldn’t see the landing zone for people!!

Congratulations goes out to Wayne & Mandy, all the best for the future.

Cheers Steve Nichols.

pictures explain a thousand words…

More pic can be found on www.rcheliclub.co.nz

Ps.

Ha: Wayne, those stories told at the reception, are they true ? I like the one about……?