Meet the Committee

 Chairman and co-founder Rob Stanley

I started flying RC electric planes in 2010 on my own at local fields and taught myself to fly.

I joined Mid-Sussex Fliers (MSF) in late 2010 because I wanted access to a club and fields. There I flew both IC and electric planes and electric gliders. I also flew at their indoor flying sessions which ran weekly throughout the year where I flew small RC planes, larger RC planes and small RC helis.

In 2013 Paul Hampshire and I found 5 people who wanted to start a club so Slope Soaring Sussex was born.

At the start I was Secretary and Treasurer but when Scott Tompkins joined we made him the treasurer and I became the Chair in 2020 when Paul Hampshire resigned.

I have also been a member of Horsham and District RC club and still fly indoor RC with them.

I am a member of Southwater Dabblers RC boat club.

Club Secretary - Tony Crawford

                                              

From a young age I had a keen interest in radio-controlled model aircraft, especially large-scale gliders both modern and vintage types.

Having retired several years ago from a career the Royal Air Force as an aircraft engineer and re-located to Sussex I now found that I had the opportunity to realize my ambition to learn to fly model gliders, but my first question was, “where do I start”. Fortunately, I found Slope Soaring Sussex, on a search - this was in 2017. I contacted the club Secretary who invited me to join them during a flying session at Mill Hill and I was hooked.

I purchased a Wildthing as my first aircraft and I was fortunate to be taught by some very experienced fliers within the Club and I quickly progressed to solo standard.

In 2021 I was asked to take on the role of Secretary when the previous incumbent moved away. 

Looking ahead, I still have a keen interest in large scale gliders, but I also have a burning ambition to learn to fly powered model aircraft especially “Spitfires”. 

The building aspect of this absorbing hobby is also very enjoyable!!

Club Treasurer - Scott Tompkins

I began flying around 2012 with small park fliers in the parks around my home and taught myself to fly.  I had been flying for two or three years and accumulating various models and I decided that it was time to upgrade my limited park flying transmitters so that I could store all of the different models in the one transmitter.  Whilst I was in the local hobby shop, wanting to try something different, I was discussing different model flying disciplines with the proprietor and he happened to mention slope soaring which I had never heard of but it sounded like fun.

He put me in contact with a local flying club (ESSA) whom were very helpful in getting me going with slope soaring but at the time I was keen to just get out into the beautiful Sussex countryside and try flying different sites pretty much on my own.

 

It was one day a short time after Slope Soaring Sussex had been formed that I happened to meet Paul and Rob at Itford who were very friendly and helpful.  They mentioned to me about the recently formed club and after exchanging details I decided to apply to join the club.  Being member number 9, this would have been during 2015. 

Then a while later with the club membership growing year by year I was appointed treasurer to assist Paul and Rob with the running of the club.

 

I also assist Rob with the summer enrichment days at Warden Park Academy which I have found a challenge but at the same time very rewarding.

In the winter months I still like to fly the park fliers indoors along with helis and multi rotors.

Committee Member - Kevin More

I started building and flying free flight gliders back in the 1980s around the Chiltern Hills with and was inspired back then by the slope soarers at Ivinghoe Beacon. Unfortunately the free flight stopped due to work/family commitments.

Coming up to retirement I was inspired again by watching guys flying power models on Ford Airfield so I went and purchased a power glider which was not a great success so I started searching for local clubs and found Slope Soaring Sussex.

I made contact with SSS and was accepted as a member in summer 2020. Rob S instructed me and set me on my way. I am now able to fly solo but need more landing practice and have 8 different models.

I love being on the slopes with other members for the flying and a damn good chinwag.

Committee Member - Nick Vane

I started flying radio control models back in 1987, my first club was SRFC (Sussex Radio Flying Club) and I cut my flying teeth on a 35 size Precedent Hi Boy and I learnt to fly and go solo. My next model was a Chris Foss Wot 4 mk2. This was a fantastic step forward and taught me a lot.  During my long tenure with SRFC I took on the role of training officer which I did for many years and taught many new fliers to fly solo.  During this time I passed my power A and B certificates. I also passed my examiners test. 

I wanted to learn different aspects of flying and although helicopters were daunting, I decided to learn how to operate one safely.  I have passed a solo test for helis. 

After 44 years working in Royal Mail I retired in 2021 and needed to occupy my time so I found a position at Sussex Model Centre as a despatch manager and found that my passion for slope soaring grew. I have accumulated a plethora of models. 

Searching the internet I found Slope Soaring Sussex and was accepted as a member and am now a member of the committee.  I have agreed to help with the training programme if work commitments allow and look forward to helping people and seeing the club grow.