MAAA Wingspan

19 that could pay dividends, allowing others to embrace the unique fun and camaraderie experienced from the diverse range of aeromodelling disciplines that has been thrilling us for decades. For further advice, check out ‘Tips to holding a public event at your club’ here. Spread the word about any Social Events For any social events, why not go the extramile and put together a press release to spread the word further about your forthcoming aeromodelling competitions or pursuits. Check out link on ‘How to write a press release’ here. “It is also worth having handouts in the local model shops, running static displays at (full size) airshows, exhibiting at places like Bunnings when they have an open evening or special event, running displays at the local War Veterans centre and so forth,” says Clive Weatherhead. “It doesn’t takemuch effort and it positions a club for growth and a strong community presence.” Open Door Policy If visitors turn up to your club looking curious, don’t be afraid to entice them in and engage in some aeromodelling conversation. You never know, it might result in another successful membership sign up. Read our club success stories on pages 10, 20 and 22 to learn just how effective this can be. Newsletters and Event Calendars To boost engagement now and into the future, why not put together regular club newsletters that can easily be distributed tomembers via email or printed off and pinned to your club’s noticeboard. Also, email thema link to Wingspan . Event calendars are a great way to build excitement too, allowing members to look forward to forthcoming functions and aeromodelling competitions that may be around the corner, giving thema clear indication of all the activities the club has to offer. Embrace new aeromodelling technology Clive Weatherhead talks about the importance and opportunities of positively embracing contemporary aeromodelling technology, such as FPV at your aeromodelling club. “The largest single challenge and opportunity for us is howwe can all do better to integrate with the large community of drone, FPV, multirotor and park flyers- a community about twenty times the size of the fixed wing/ helicopter clubmembership. It’s an interesting time,” says Clive. “Some clubs have welcomed the FPV racing community warmly and enjoyed the challenges that these branches of aeromodelling offer. I’mexcited that there are 300,000 people flying drones, racing FPV, getting to grips with a park flyer with autopilot and learning their basic controls on a simulator. “If we show thema warmwelcome, then we’ll have some very exciting clubs indeed, and wemight push the average age of aeromodellers down a bit, which would be fantastic news for the future of our hobby. “I really hope that more club flyers take the opportunity to look at these exciting new technologies. It’s a great time to be an aeromodeller – that’s for sure.” Encouraging words indeed on how we can all leverage amore open, all-embracing and positive club spirit that capitalises on the unique fun and camaraderie that comes with the sport of aeromodelling. “It doesn’t take much effort to position a club for growth and a strong community presence.”