President:             Mike Close, PO Box 146, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125

     Telephone: 02 9872 6469    Fax: 02 9871 0408

Vice President:     Ivan Chiselett, 1 Watson Ave Mont Albert Nth VIC 3129

                             Telephone: 03 9898 4379

Secretary:            Kevin Dodd, 16 Illidge Rd Victoria Point QLD 4165

     Telephone: 07 3207 9067   Fax: 07 3207 8175

     e-mail: secretary@MAAA.asn.au 

Treasurer:            Garry Anderson, PO Box 471 Devonport TAS 7310

Competition Rules Secretary:  Fred Adler, 18 Ivory St Noranda WA 6062

                             e-mail: maaatechsec@touch88.com.au

MAAA Internet:  www.maaa.asn.au

MAAA Vice President

The MAAA Executive are very pleased to announce that, at their Special Meeting on 22^nd December 2007, they unanimously agreed to appoint Ivan Chiselett as the MAAA Vice President for the period up until the completion of the Council Conference in May 2008. Following the loss of Theo Merrifield, Rule 24.3 required the Executive to appoint a new Vice President for the period up to the next Council Meeting, when an election will be held.

Given the short term of the appointment, the Executive decided to appoint a person who was both free of State Association commitments and familiar with current Council policies, so as to be able to contribute immediately as an integrated member of the team. It was also important that the Vice President be a member of good standing within the organisation who would be able to stand in for the President in all roles if required.

While there were a number of members who could satisfy these criteria, it was decided that Ivan was the best overall fit. The only concern was how the reappointment to the Executive of the former Secretary, so soon after his term finished, might be viewed from outside. It was considered that a few might draw some erroneous conclusions. There is clearly no justification for these, and both Kevin and Ivan have stated that they have no problems with the appointment which they view to be in the best interests of the organisation. We are sure that all members will congratulate Ivan on his appointment and will continue to support the members of the Executive in their work.

Manual of Procedures

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

The MAAA has recently released the following new or amended documents in the Manual of Procedures:

MOP027 Guidelines for the Award of MAAA Wings

MOP031 Rocketry Procedure

Form: MAAA034 Flight Requirements & Test Check Sheet – Rocketry Bronze Wings

Form: MAAA035 Flight Requirements & Test Check Sheet – Rocketry Gold Wings

MOP056 Safe Flying Code has been amended to reflect the introduction of Giant Models (25kg–50kg). This Flying Code is also printed on the A4 section of the Membership Cards and the 50kg limit for Giant Models will be added once the current stock is depleted and new cards are reprinted. A note stating this is now being printed on each new membership card.

The 61^st Nationals

The 61^st Nationals were held in Perth, West Australia over the period 27 December 2007 to 4 January 2008. Results can be found on the MAAA web site or at www.aeromodellerswa.info/nationals/index.html Congratulations to all concerned in AWA for the effort and organisation that went into the successful event.

Team Trials

All MAAA affiliate members are eligible to represent Australia at World, Continental and Trans Tasman Championships. Trials for places in the teams are organised by MAAA Technical Subcommittees or National Special Interest Groups (NSIGs) which are required to publish details of team trial arrangements as widely as possible, well in advance of the trials, so that all interested members have the opportunity to take part. Your State Association Secretary has contact details for your Subcommittee representatives and NSIGs. The MAAA web site has links to NSIGs and also details of up-coming events and team trials, on the “Championships and Other Competitions” page.

F1 Trans Tasman & Team Trials

Team Trials for F1A, F1B & F1C were held as part of the WA Nationals and will be held at Narrandera NSW on 21-24 March 2008 (Easter). The Southern Cross Cup will also be held at Narrandera: F1A on 25 March, F1B & C on 26 March. 27 March will be a reserve day.  The VFFS State Champs & W/C Team Trials event is planned for 25, 26, 27 April 2008 at Mc Mahon's Field Springhurst Victoria.

F4A Team Trials & Trans Tasman Competition

Team trials will be held at Richmond NSW on 16-17 February 2008 with the Trans Tasman event to be held also at Richmond NSW on 28-29 June 2008. Please contact Lloyd Willis for further details.  lloyd.willis1@bigpond.com

F3D Pylon Team Trials for the World Championships Germany 2009

Notification of team trials as follows:

·    26/27 April 2008 at Cohuna Victoria

·    7/8 June 2008 AMPRA Champs in Maryborough Qld

·    Aug/Sept 2008 - either Qld State Champs or Vic State Champs

MAAA Insurance

During December a steady flow of incident reports was received. The majority of these incidents involved fingers or hands in turning propellers. Every one of us needs to be alert to the danger of spinning propellers and the constant vigilance required to remain safe. Having insurance will not replace a finger.

Incident and Investigation Forms

These forms need to be submitted as soon as possible following an incident even if it is considered that there may not be an Insurance Claim. If the incident is of a serious nature or third party property has been damaged, even before the reports are sent, please advise the MAAA Federal Secretary either by phone or email with the basic details. Ensure that the two forms are completed and forwarded to the MAAA Federal Secretary who will forward copies to your State Secretary. An Incident Investigation form containing details of the steps taken by the club to prevent further incidents of the same nature, allows the MAAA Executive to ‘close out’ the incident.

MAAA 2008 Federal Council Conference

The 2008 Council Conference is scheduled to be held over the weekend of 24-25 May 2008 at The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, Hobart. Items for the agenda and Subcommittee Chairman reports are to be submitted to the MAAA Secretary no later than Friday 7 March 2008.

Nominations for MAAA Executive Positions

Under Rule 29, nominations are called for the positions of MAAA Vice President & MAAA Treasurer.

Nominees must provide:

• A written nomination for the position sought, signed by two Affiliate Members of the Association
• Written consent (which may be endorsed on the nomination)
• Curriculum vitae

This information must be received by the Federal Secretary no later than Friday 29 February 2008. Please note that the term of office is three years.

World Championship and Trans Tasman Events Calendar

Secretary’s FAI Table