Tuesday 29 September 2015

Ian Emery, RC Heli pilot, season round-up...

We're always thrilled to hear from our friend & RC Heli flying legend Ian Emery & he's very kindly taken time out of his hectic life to send us this great season report:

Ian Emery pictured piloting at the BMFA British Nationals recently - pretty iconic image!   

Ian says "It’s been an interesting year and it’s gone so quickly, I can’t believe another season is over.  I have been rather distracted this past 9 months with lots going on, notably the safe arrival of our second baby. 
Early in the New Year I gained sponsorship and a place on the JR Macgregor flight team and an opportunity to switch to the JR Sylphide EX, a helicopter I have dreamed about owning since I started flying RC helicopters. 

Ian's JR Sylphide EX in action...

Much of the pre-season was spent building and getting the helicopter setup, being an 800 size helicopter it is larger than anything else that I had flown and managed to enjoy whatever days that were available getting used to flying it.

The first Competition of the euro-season was held in Vitry-Le-Francios in France at the beginning of May, it was a good turnout with some very good pilots from 5 different Countries.  Disappointingly I finished last, but the quality of flying was exceptionally high and it gave me lots of ideas on how I could improve as the season progressed.  The following week we made the trip back to Lendelede in Belgium.  It was almost a replay of last year with winds up to 40mph on the Saturday which made things particularly difficult for everyone.  Over the course of the weekend I managed to battle my way up the leader board and finished in 7th place which I was thrilled about given the result from the week before.


There was then a 4 week break before travelling to Scotland for the Scottish Heli Nationals in the middle of June.  So I went back to my training field to get lots more practice.  I felt very determined by time we arrived and after a long battle with my good friend Roger Mayo, I managed to finish ahead of him in second place which was just amazing. 
There was then quite a long break whilst the British Team travelled to Austria for the World Championships in July.  

August brought the 1st Team trial and the BMFA BritishNationals at the end of the month.  It was a bit of a poor turnout for the 1st Team trials with only 3 pilots.  Roger and I were once again very close in our scoring.  After 4 rounds I was only 3 points behind him.  This left it all to play for at the Nationals.  Arriving at the Nationals I didn’t feel prepared at all.  A week in hospital and lack of sleep following the birth of Oliver meant that I hadn’t flown at all in about 3 weeks.  

The first couple of rounds I was frustrated by a few silly mistakes which resulted in big downgrades with my scores.  Roger also made a few mistakes which meant the scores were still very close.  In the end I won 2 of the rounds and Roger won 2.  When all the scores had been added together Roger had increased his lead slightly which resulted in my finishing 3rd for the Team selection and 3rd in the British Nationals.  


We have had some really good battles throughout the year and it’s always nice to kick back and have a few beers with everyone at the end of the day.
I'm really pleased to have made it into the Team for the European Championships next year in Poland, but there’s no time to rest.  There is a new schedule to learn and I am hoping to get a second Sylphide in the air so that I have a back-up machine just in case.  So I’m just trying to make the most of the good weather and have started training ready for next year.

I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff at SMB Bearings for your continued support which has been amazing.  Good luck with the move to the new premises!"


Thanks very much indeed Ian - many congratulations on the safe arrival of Oliver, the newest addition to the Emery household & for continuing on with your flying season.  We're honoured to support such a gentleman & a brilliant ambassador for the RC Heli community.  
Roll on the 2016 season & more adventures!

If you would like to follow how Ian & the Team are getting on check out these websites:
Euro Heli Series  www.euroheliseries.net
British F3C Team  www.teamf3cuk.co.uk
European Championships  http://rcheli-echs2016.pl/

Monday 28 September 2015

SMB's big move approaches & a new era begins...

Well, we are very excited to announce that we now have a provisional moving date for our new premises. On the 17th October, we'll be making the move (hopefully, barring any last-minute snags) from our old building in Brize Norton to our new home at Ventura Business Park in Carterton.

The main office, all it needs now is our furniture!
 The interior building work is completed, flooring is laid, cables & telecoms are installed - all we need to do now is move our office, furniture & many thousands of bearings to the new unit!!

Colin practicing his clog dancing curtsy in the meeting room!
With the new move we'll also have an exciting new employment opportunity,
for a general office & warehouse assistant, so if you fancy being a vital part of the SMB Bearings Ltd team then why not contact us for further details or just send us your CV (all applications will be treated in the strictest confidence).  Go on, don't be shy - we'll look forward to hearing from you!

The new warehouse racking is being delivered & installed this week & then we're good to go!


Friday 11 September 2015

SMB's new premises at Ventura Park - let there be light!


The kitchen is nearly ready, let there be coffee!
The re-lubrication room's worktops are being cut to size & installed next week 

The ante-room to the re-lubrication room is nearly ready... 

The meeting room has lighting & wiring - also an alien slug seems to have taken up temporary residence...

The main office is now wired & lit & the painting is nearly completed too.

We're really impressed by how light & airy the office is going to be...
...if a little startled by just how much wiring it takes to get the whole "light & airy" thing going!!
We'll be finalising the moving-in date very soon & we'll let you know asap when the big day is - so excited!!!

Wednesday 9 September 2015

Schaeffer Mclean - Skate Video Finalist SKATE BELIEVE - NYJAH HUSTONE

Schaeffer Mclean's latest adventures caught on YouTube :-)


Schaeffer says:
"Our Entry to the Skate Video Competition FixUP DIYBristol. We came 4th out of 16. Rules: make a video 3 days, I was suffered an injury in the weeks beforehand, so we had to find a stunt double to film my skateparts. This left us just one day to film and make this Vid. Many thanks to Rafferty Maitland King for being my stunt double. Nyjah's voiceover by Khiry Tha Young Prod'G. Main Skater Jeb Burns, and Ollie Pillinger my Skatepal. Rafferty performed the Big Three and Jeb performed the Double Kickflip in my shoes.... about 4 sizes smaller than his own... big props to them both, and Ollie for being such a talented Actor!! Thanks for watching. #nyjahhustone #tonyhawktoast"

Well done on placing fourth Schaeffer, that's quite an achievement!

Wednesday 2 September 2015