Please remember, this is not the live version that was emailed to members and as such the links below are not active. Members can find the original email in their nominated inbox on December 7.
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Hello all Firstly, remember to right click at the very top of this email and select 'download images'. It will allow you to view the photos/posters included.
As we draw to a close for another year - and look forward to spending time with family and friends - I hope that you also find time to do some flying. Busy lives mean that flying can often take a back seat so a few days off - or weeks if you are lucky - means we all might be able to sneak down to the airstrip a little more often.
75th celebrations There have been some great events held as part of the MAAAs 75th anniversary celebration. Below are links with articles and photos looking at some of the functions held. SSME All Things modelling: 75th MAAA Anniversary Special (heyzine.com) Concorde Model Flying club: https://www.facebook.com/ConcordeMFC South Burnett Model Club: Model Club Celebrates Anniversary - southburnett.com.au East Coast Radio Controlled Flyers & Phoenix Flyers: Phoenix Flyers of Launceston Inc. I am sure there are more events so please send in details for inclusion in the next communication. We are aware that some clubs have postponed events due to weather and we are keen to see photos and stories of your celebrations.
F3A World Championship at Casino The dates for the FAI F3A World Championship at Casino Airport will now be run from August 2023. The MAAA has agreed to be a major funding partner of the event. This event will bring the best F3A Aerobatic pilots in the world to Australia, so if you have ever wondered how good some of these pilots or how well our local top gun pilots can fly come along to the event and experience it first hand. There will be lots more stories and information as we roll into 2023.
German Glider pilot Philip Kolb (pictured left) will be heading to Australia in March next year. Read more about his visit and where you can catch him below.
What is GPS racing?
The MAAA and LSF Australia have arranged for Philip Kolb from Germany to visit Australia in March 2023. Philip has enormous experience in the construction and design of radio-controlled gliders from 2 meter balsa models to large scale GPS racing gliders. Philip is also a highly successful competition pilot, having been part of winning teams at World and European Championships, and an individual champion at European and World Championships. Philip will attend Southern Soaring League’s 50th Anniversary event in Milang, South Australia from March 11 to 19. There will be a 3-day F5J event that includes the Team Selection Trial for the 2023 World Championships, and a week-long scale glider and GPS Triangle rally. Philip will give talks on F5J and GPS and also run a training camp for GPS pilots. Click the link to download an entry form for the Southern Soaring League event. Open F5J International – Southern Soaring League, or contact them via email for details on the training camp: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Philip will then travel to Brisbane from March 22 to 27 where he will be hosted by the Moreton Region Sports Soaring Association. Philip will give a talk and host flying sessions during his visit. For more information contact club president Brian Ford via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Free Flight seeks Contest Director The AFFS is seeking expressions of interest for suitable candidates to work in the role of Contest Director at the 2023 AFFS championships to be held at Narrandera in April 2023. The suitable candidate should: Be across all aspects FAI free flight competitions. Be across all the current FAI rules. Be very familiar with the current generation of FF models, allowing accurate processing if needed. In exchange for your time the AFFS is willing to subsidise travel and accommodation. Please register your expression of interest for consideration with the AFFS Secretary, Shannon Tolmie, by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mike Hage re-build The Polikarpov Po-2 (originally known as the U-2), had an initial role as a flight instruction aircraft which served as an all-weather multirole Soviet biplane, nicknamed Kukuruznik (Corn-cutter) due to its early agricultural uses. The reliable, uncomplicated design of the Po-2 made it an ideal trainer aircraft, as well as doubling as a low-cost ground attack, aerial reconnaissance, psychological warfare and liaison aircraft during the war - proving to be one of the most versatile light combat types to be built in the Soviet Union. Mike Hage has re-built a Polikarpov PO2.
Aeromodelling history for sale We received an email last week alerting us that the first petrol powered model aircraft engine in Australia had been listed on Ebay. The 10cc Brown Junior model aircraft engine is a piece of Australian aeromodelling history as it is the first petrol powered model aircraft engine in Australia.
It's 88 years old - having been manufactured in 1935 - and still has great compression and the ignition points are in good condition.
Brown Junior model engines were the first successful petrol powered engines to be used in model aircraft worldwide. You can view the listing at the below link, but be aware bidding ends this Thursday:
Click here to view the Brown Junior Model engine on Ebay
MAAA Club Assistance Scheme
Application forms for the 2023 Club Assistance scheme will also be sent out in January, with a March end closing date to give clubs plenty of time to get details in. I would encourage you all start your applications early and remember they must have the endorsement of your State Association. The criteria will be on the website in January. This is an opportunity for the MAAA to support the clubs that are working hard to grow and promote aeromodelling.
The best point of contact for the MAAA is through the Federal Secretary. Got a story to share? Send an email. Got an event coming up? Send an email.
Lastly, I’d just like to take this opportunity to say thank you for a great year. Being the president of the MAAA certainly has its challenges. We have a started to make some changes on some outdated documents and processes - these changes are important for ensuring we can all continue to fly the models we want in as many locations as possible.
With 2023 upon us it is a time to reflect on the importance of family and the support they all give so that we can enjoy this amazing activity. The friendships and friendly rivalry that competition brings, or just being able to sit at the flying field and watch the wonder of flight in all its forms. We are very lucky indeed.
On behalf of the Executive and the MAAA Council we wish you all a safe Christmas and hope to see you getting to more flying events in 2023.
Tim Nolan, MAAA President
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0408 657 657
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