MODEL AERONAUTICAL

MODEL AERONAUTICAL

ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA INC.

Newsletter

NO. 5/2006

Manual of Procedures

The Manual of Procedures is a “live” document and is continually being updated. Please check the M.A.A.A. web site form time to time to ensure that you are aware of the latest editions of the documents.

At the 2006 M.A.A.A. Council Conference Darryl Gust was granted Life Membership of the M.A.A.A. Many modellers all over Australia will know Darryl through his involvement in modelling. His contributions to Aeromodelling over many years has been outstanding as outlined with the following:

- Assisted and saving the MAAA considerable funds by arranging and organizing 10 MAAA Council Conferences, at the excellent Ford Training Facilities in Melbourne

- Display Director and organizer of the Aeromodelling section of all the 7 Avalon International Airshows, since the first show in 1993

- Display Director and organizer of the Aeromodelling section for the RAAF Point Cook Airshows

- Life Member of two other Clubs, (awarded for assistance and participation within these clubs)

- Recently Awarded Life Membership to the VMAA for outstanding contributions to Aeromodelling.

I am sure all members will join with me in congratulating Darryl on being granted the honour of M.A.A.A. Life Member.

It is my pleasure to report that David Hobby has successfully defended his F3J Gliding World Championship title at the 2007 world championships that were recently concluded in Martin, Slovakia. I am sure all members will join with me and congratulate David on his great win, two in a row, fantastic.

The other team members also performed very well in this very popular class of flying. The team was; and Dave Hobby as reigning World Champion, Carl Strautins, Mike O’Reilly, Matt Partlett, Matt Wood as Team Manager and Theo Arvantakis, Thomas Cooke, and Ziggy Kusiak as the muscle power to launch the aircraft.

The team results were; Carl Strautins 10th, Matthew Partlett 48th , Mike O’Reilly 49th

The Team placed 13th out of 30. It should be noted that David’s scores are not considered in the Team result as he was defending World Champion. A great result for all concerned.

Control Line - Spain

This was another great result for the Australians. The F2C Team race team came 2^nd, which is a fantastic performance.

Hugh Simmons & Grant Potter 5^th ; Ian Thompson & Ray Harvey 9^th; Robert Fitzgerald & Mark Ellins 16^th

Michael Comiski (Snr) =29^{th
;}Michael Comiski (Jnr) =29^th; Ryan Comiski 43^rd

Again another great result with David Law and Noel Whitehead getting up into the top placings. Unfortunately Brian Green crashed his model a few months before the contest and had to build a replacement. He did a great job just to get there. No doubt he will have learnt a lot at the contest and hopefully tackle the “mountain” again.

We were represented by David Hines and David Leitch at these championships. The Europeans are very strong in electric competition but the boys did very well. David Hines placed 23 and David Leitch 36th in a very big field. A great result in a very competitive field.

Now that CASR Part 101 has been operating for some time there appears to be a little confusion as to the difference between a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and a Model Aircraft. Basically a model aircraft is used for sport and the pleasure of flying it. A model aircraft that is used commercially or for gain is a UAV. The only exception to this is the use of a model aircraft for training purposes.

If you are using your model aircraft for commercial purposes, such as aerial photography etc for commercial gain or payment, you are operating a UAV and therefore come under the CASA regulations for them. It is also most likely that you would not be covered by the M.A.A.A. insurance policies.

Federal Secretary

The current three term of the Federal Secretary concludes at the 2007 Council Conference. Therefore, nominations for the position of M.A.A.A. Federal Secretary are called for. The nominations must be received by the Federal Secretary, at 1 Watson Ave Mont Albert North Vic 3129, by March 3^rd 2007. Nominations must be signed by the nominee as accepting the nomination and seconded by an M.A.A.A. Affiliate Member. The position is for a three year term and is elected by the M.A.A.A. Council at their 2007 meeting to be held on May 26 & 27.

Those interested in nominating for this position can register an expression of interest before 8^thDecember when a full information pack and application form will be forwarded.

The Federal Secretary’s is considered a full time position and it is expected the person will provide a “home office” at their expense. The position requires very good and extensive computer and management skills as all business with the Executive and President are done via computers and the Internet. The Secretary is the main contact point of the M.A.A.A. from the public and Affiliate Members. He/she is expected to handle the day-to-day running of the Association under the direction of the President and Council. The Secretary ’s current salary is $52,750 plus compulsory superannuation.

The Secretary will also carry out the duties of the Registrar unless he/she requests another person carry out this role with the approval of the Executive. The role of the Registrar may be expanded to reduce the workload of the Secretary with the permission of the M.A.A.A. Executive. The salary of the Registrar is to come from the Secretary’s salary.

F3A Aerobatics Team Trials for the 2007 World Championships

The Australian Pattern Association has advised that the team trials for places in the team for the F3A World Championships to be held in the Argentine in November 2007 will be held at the Valley Radio Flyers field in Shepparton Victoria on Friday 6 April 2007. Please contact the APA for details of how to enter.

The Scale sub-committee Chairman has advised that the team trial for the 2007 Trans Tasman Scale contest will be held as part of the F4C contest at the 2007 M.A.A.A. Nationals to be held in Albury/Wodonga. Please contact your State Association scale group for more information.

The Trans Tasman Scale competition is to be held in New Zealand on March 30^th to April 1^st 2007.

The Australian Free Flight Society are conducting a multi team trial for the 2007 World Championship team. Interested members should contact the AFFS for information.

The 60^th Nationals hosted by the V.M.A.A. will be held between December 28^th 2006 and January 6^th 2007 in Albury/Wodonga. For information go to the Nationals page of the M.A.A.A. web site www.maaa.asn.au. Why not get involved and compete, or just visit, the championship. I am sure you will enjoy the experience. It is great opportunity to see the very best of modellers competing in all the facets of our great sport. There is plenty of reasonably priced accommodation available in the Aulbury/Wodonga area so why not go for a few days and have a good look around.

Whist it seems a long time to 2008, team trials will be starting most probably in early or mid 2007 for places in the teams. No details of Team Trials have been released yet but it is expected that preliminary information will start to be release in early 2007.

If you are considering trying to get into the team for any of these events I suggest that you contact the relevant Special Interest Group in the near future to get details.