Chris “Swainey” Swain

Chris is from the ACT and his home Club is Belconnen, so the NSW Pattern events are home events for Chris. Chris travels a lot to other comps in Victoria including their last comp at Mildura over the June long weekend.  The longest trip to a Comp was last year when Chris represented Australia at the World Championships in Portugal.  Chris is also off to the Philippines from 19th to 25th September as part of the Australian team with Glen Orchard and Ron Schulz at the AOCC which is the Asian Oceanic Championship for Aerobatic Model Aircraft (F3A).    We all know Chris as a very happy helpful fellow who flies exceptionally well and is now an all electric man who is either warming batteries up, cooling them back down or taking their pulse and blood pressure. He is extremely knowledgeable about all things with large electric planes and the F3A scene.

So let’s find out a bit more about Chris.

What are you flying now and are you happy with it?

I am currently flying a John Payne “Cyclone”.  When the P11 Schedule came out I honestly thought it wouldn’t do the job. Boy was I wrong.  The “Cyclone” is a world class model.  I have been very happy with it.

What is your next plane likely to be?

Electric of course.  I have a Payney “Tempest” waiting to be painted and filmed.

Power!  Electric blows the doors off any combustion engine. The power on electric is instant, no sucking it in squeezing it and blowing it out the back. That’s old school.

What do think will be the next big change to the models?

Changes, I think batteries etc will become lighter. Electric motors won’t really change much, they are pretty efficient now. I believe combustion engines have hit the end of the road as far as development.

When did you start your love affair with aviation, and models in particular?

I started flying in 1985, I tried to teach myself, not a good idea I might add. I only started flying pattern in November 1992.  Before that I thought I was a pretty s*#t hot pilot.  Boy was I wrong.  I could fly all sorts of manoeuvres.  When asked to do a loop in front of myself, I couldn’t.

How did you get introduced to Pattern Competition, and what is its main attraction?

I thought I could fly, and realised I couldn’t.  It has made me realise how hard it is trying to fly the perfect manoeuvre.

How do we get more people interested in our sport?

I try to do my bit by letting local Club guys fly my Pattern models.  I try to show them what can be achieved.  Then I give them a hand to set up theirs to try and make them realise what is possible.

What do you like most about competing?

The friendship.  If I had to do it all over again I would.

Do you like one day or two day events best?

Two day comps because there is more social interaction.

What is your favourite manoeuvre?

Mmmm, probably to roll.  Slow rolls, eight point ones etc.  To get one to stay on line is an art.  Doing a horizon to horizon one is awesome. Still remember Macca many years ago doing a rolling circle with his Ultimate bipe on take off and not going above 6 foot. Awesome.

What is your favourite Flying field/Club?

That’s a hard one. I enjoy trying/experiencing new flying fields.  A good grass strip is a good as it gets.

Well.  I ended up 67th due to some technical issues.  , my radio shit itself, I flew the best that I ever have, so I’m pretty happy with that. (Interviewers note: That is 67th in the WORLD, bloody good effort Chris !!!)

Who is the best in the world?

Yes, Christophe won.  Personally it should have been Somenzini, his flying was awe inspiring.

What new models can we expect to see?

I don’t think we will see huge changes.  Some guys will stick extra bits (wings etc) on various parts of their models.  To me it’s a sign the design is lacking.  They’ll change shape here or there, nothing major. They will have large fuselage side areas to aid in integrated looping/rolling manouvers.We will be predominately electric.

Is 5kg weight limit for electric models with their batteries fair?

How does our Aussie scene compare with the overseas competition flying?

We are right up with the rest of the world.  All our technologies, models etc are identical.  We are at a disadvantage due to our location. Before I went to Portugal I was flying in our winter. I remember flying in -8 Celsius, thinking to myself I am a bloody idiot. Then a week later I am flying in 43 Celsius. Instant sun tan material.

Are you excited about representing Australia again in the Philippines, and what are the biggest challenges in getting to and flying in an overseas international event?

I have been competing for 18.5 years.  I have enjoyed every minute of it.  The friends I have made, the people I have met, we all have a common interest.  The Worlds was just like another competition, just a big one.. All these guys are just the same as the rest of us.  To get to meet and hangout with people I have read about, watched fly on videos etc was just amazing.  If you have an inkling/desire to represent your Country have a go you won’t regret it.

Best of luck in the Philippines, and bring back some trophies Chris.

Thanks.  I’ll be happy if everything works properly and all I have to worry about is flying and enjoying myself.  I’ll be giving 100% so fingers crossed.