MAAA Wingspan - Quarterly Magazine

16 TRY AND FLY SUCCESS AT THE 71ST NATIONALS ATTRACTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF AEROMODELLERS In a proactive attempt to attract the next generation to have a go at our sport, theMAAA 71st National Model Aircraft Championships inWest Wyalong, featured a ‘Try and Fly’ day. MAAA Vice President, BruceHoffmann said, C.L.A.S. NSWand Doonside clubmember, AndrewHeath, built several small control linemodels specifically for the young flyers, while fellowmember, Tony Bonello served as the flying instructor. “Unfortunately, theweather wasn’t kind tous over that week with strongwinds and though the ‘try and fly’ day started ok, we had to stop proceedings towardmidday. However, wewere able to give anumber of young kids and some adults a go at flying [under instruction] until thewind became too strong,” saidBruce. Bruce says that hewas flying Control Line Aerobatics during most days at theMcAlister Oval andduring that time, a young and enthusiastic [nine-year-old] girl waswatching and asking amyriad of questions. “Her namewas Shalia, shewas a lovely, polite and friendly girl and she had beenhanging around for four to five days and was very eager to keep flying and trying,” he continued. “Shalia’smother [Maria] was present during the instruction and after only a couple of instructional flights, her daughter was able to [fly] ‘solo’ on the third flight. Upon the fourth flight shewas left alone in the centre of the flying circle and a great big smile emerged onher face!” A great deal wasmade of Shalia’s positive flying achievement and both she andhermother were kindly invited to the end of the 71st National’s presentation for a complimentary dinner. What an uplifting story about the positives of encouraging the next generation to take upmodel aircraft flying and learn for themselveswhat an enjoyable hobby it is to be a part of.