MAAA Wingspan

16 A 14-year-old Buderim teenager and Sports Aeromodellers Association Moreton Bay region (SAAMBR) member, Elijah Hayward has his sights set sky high on a career in aviation. Elijah loves being outdoors with his hands on the controls of model planes, some with wingspans of up to 2.5 metres. He’s also got his own YouTube channel of his flying adventures. Spending most of his spare time at the local aeromodelling club with his grandfather Cliff, Elijah hopes the skills he learns on the smaller planes will help himnavigate the skies when he takes the wheel of the bigger aircraft. “My Poppa got me interested in planes when he took me down to the local oval and handedme the control of a remote-control plane,” said Elijah. “I really enjoyed that experience and then aeromodelling became a hobby by becoming amember at the local SAAMBR club at Burpengary. “I love being in control of the plane, doing the circuits and building onmy skills.” Last year, Elijah also got to experience the freedomof flight with a TIF flight at the Caloundra Airport. His dream is to one day became an airline pilot. “I love everything about flying, being up higher than the clouds is an amazing experience,” he said. “I think aeromodelling is a great steppingstone to helpme towards a career in aviation as I get an understanding of physics, aerodynamics and the skills I am learning from the older members of the club is amazing.” When Elijah isn’t flying his model planes, he spends his time helping in the hangar at the Caboolture Airport. For every 15 hours he works, Elijah gets a free flying lesson - a win win in his books. member story WING SPAN AUGUST