Actually quite a few professional pilots did preface their flying with an interest in models, sometimes returning to the same hobby in retirement. On our website you will find the famous Harrier test pilot, retired but still actively involved in general aviation, yet writing favourably about the Harrier version of our model Jump Jet. Now he has the time, he builds and flies models, as he did when a boy.

Let’s start with the Saucer: You will see that it uses the same four axis controller as the Jump Jet, the big difference being the flight dynamics; Saucer is much gentler and benign, allowing the pilot more time to think. It is true that some of the coaxial twin rotor models are equally stable, but spinning blades are still potentially dangerous if out of control, and there are quite complex mechanics to damage if you lose it. Saucer is not only far safer with its protected fans, but there are no delicate parts to damage. In summary, the greater simplicity, docile but real four-axis handling and lower cost make the Saucer the ideal hovering machine for the beginner – which, when mastered leads naturally to the larger, more aerobatic, expensive and dangerous models. Incidentally, some of our first Saucer customers are professional pilots!

Everyone – especially children – who see Jump Jet or Saucer being flown well, want to have a go but of course most cannot do so without patience and effort. My reaction is simply to hand them ‘Microfly’ and challenge them to hover it. If they master this at once you know they have the knack, and could well master the Saucer, Jump Jet or anything else, and quickly. From full-sized helicopters right down to the Microfly, controlling the un-damped vertical axis is quite hard, but with the latter you can focus on this single challenge without harm to anybody or anything. If you can hover Microfly, you have mastered the first step to hovering flight.