General Information
The Corsair Model Flying Club was established in 1981 by model fliers in the Gravesend area in conjunction with the local shop 'Britannia Models' (now sadly closed). After a couple of temporary sites, we settled into our present site behind Cascades Leisure Centre at Thong Lane, Gravesend in 1982. The site used to be part of the old Gravesend Airport, which was mainly re-developed in the early 1960's to be a housing estate. The opposing side of Thong lane reverted to agriculture and a leisure centre.
The site itself uses the outside sports field as the main flying area and boasts a site equivalent to about six football pitches. We restrict our operations to the area of one pitch and the placing of highly visible signs marks this. The 'overfly' area has restrictions, but we can still safely operate our large models as well as general types as well. The grass is cut by the local council and is flat and smooth in the summer but a little bumpy in the winter (football pitches get cut up by studs!).
Flying times:
Wednesday and Fridays
13.00 to 20.00(or sunset), whichever is the earlier.
Saturdays 09.00 to 13.00.
Sundays (in football season) 09.00 to 10.30
Sundays (out of football season) 09.00 to 13.00
In practice, 99% of our flying occurs on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
As a club affiliated to the 'British Model flying Association', we actively promote members to achieve their flying standards tests ('A' and 'B' certificates) as part of our club training program. We have three BMFA appointed examiners to do this.
We fly all types of model, but there is a strong 'leaning' towards scale types of the WWII era (see 'Pictures' Section). Sadly, the site restrictions do not allow us to permit the flying of helicopters.
Spectators are always welcome, and we will be happy to talk about our activities to both the general public and modellers alike!