MAAA Wingspan

Part 149 Part 149 will place additional administrative functions upon the MAAA Executive, however, I believe by being recognised as a Self-Administering Aviation Organisation (ASAO) will be advantageous as we move into the arena of tighter aviation regulations. Major Events Several Major events are planned for this year including: • 71st Nationals at West Wyalong, held between 24 April - 3 May, https://maaaevents.com.au/ • Wagga WW1 Day, between 26 - 28 April, http:// waggamac.org/WWII/ • The World Pylon Racing Championships at Maryborough in Queensland from 6 - 12 August. Words of Wisdom Some of us who have been around the aeromodelling scene for many years still enjoy the social aspect of the sport but may feel that their enthusiasm is lacking. Going to the field doing the same thing can become tiresome. In other words, we still have a huge interest in aeromodelling, but the flame is dimming. This happened to me several years ago, I love aeromodelling, but needed a new challenge - not that the Presidency of the MAAA did not present one. Those who compete on a regular basis are forever facing new challenges, not so for the social flyer. What did I do to ignite that spark? I set myself a challenge: to learn to fly model gyrocopters. It took awhile but I eventually mastered it - “mastered it” may be an overstatement as I still take the occasional model home in a bag, but it did ignite my enthusiasm. During my learning phase, I had to do what I did when I first started flying models: research and read anything I could find relating to gyrocopters, their flight characteristics, mechanics and different models. I still fly the normal sports models but whenever I want to feel that rush of adrenalin, I take the gyrocopter out. This increases the heart rate substantially, gives an adrenalin rush and a feeling of satisfaction when the model comes to “terra firma” in the same state as it was when it took off. Why am I telling you this? • Firstly, for the newcomer, research all you can about model aircraft, aviation and the principles of flight. Source as many articles (the net makes it easy) on all topics; e.g. learning to land, engine maintenance, electronics, how aircraft fly and how the full-size pilots do it. The more knowledge you have the quicker you will learn and the easier you will be able to converse with your fellow modellers. Your enthusiasm for model aircraft will increase. • For us old timers, if you find yourself spending more time under the sun shelter than out on the flight line, set yourself some new challenges and try something different (I don’t mean cooking the barbecue – which is, nevertheless, a very important task). Get that heart rate up, the adrenalin pumping and the enthusiasm for aeromodelling reinvigorated. Neil Tank President MAAALogo. 5 0 FEBRUARY WING SPAN