MAAA Wingspan - Quarterly Magazine

23 MAY WING SPAN MAAALogo. Then a breakthrough came in late 2016 when the Cairns Regional Council allowed the club the future use of eight-hectares of land that was currently used for cane growing. They also agreed to erect toilets and seal all roads and car parks on the new field. The club has future plans for a clubhouse with a building room and above-roof viewing area. “We are making huge leaps and bounds with our progress and the field has taken on a new look and energy. With the move to our new site, we are concentrating our activities on getting as much of the infrastructure ready while we are on our temporary site,” says Paul. Cairns Miniature Helicopter Club (CMHC) “CMHC operated out of Endeavour Park on a sporting field often taken over by soccer or cricket teams. Due to the size of the park, they were also restricted to using mostly smaller, electric planes,” continues Paul. Paul consequently proposed that CMHC be part of the building of a larger Cairns Model Aero Club, which has resulted in a significant membership increase. “The joining of the two clubs, plus several new walk- in members, is growing our numbers constantly. It has been a really rewarding experience to have amalgamated the two clubs into a new larger functioning club,” continues Paul. “We look forward to the future knowing that we have a huge task in front of us but with the help of our great members and people of the Cairns Regional Council, along with the MAAA and the MAAQ, we are certain this is going to be the building of a fantastic Far North Queensland Flying Club.” Paul also recognises the fantastic working committee that has helped the plans come to fruition. Along with Paul as president, that committee includes vice president Dennis Bassett, secretary Mario Zappulla, assistant secretary/Grants officer Bryan Carwardine and CFI Bernie Courtney. With an open day planned in May and future ‘come and fly days’ anticipated, there’s plenty on the horizon for CMAC. “We see this to be the right time to re-energise our sport and realise we have the perfect chance to build our new club and field to a high standard. We want the field at a high enough quality that clubs from all states will be enthusiastic to come up here for a visit to fly and also to benefit from our tropical holiday rainforest and heritage location.” For more information visit: http:/ / cairnsmodelaeroclub.com FEBRUARY WING SPAN