MAAA Wingspan

03 MAAALogo. NOVEMBER WING SPAN MAAA EXECUTIVE president’s report The last couple of months have flown and I find myself writing November’s report in Alice Springs during the Masters Games. This event is a significant occasion for aeromodelling in Australia- the first- time aeromodelling has officially been recognised as a sport. Let’s hope all other state governments take the lead from the Northern Territory Government. As I mentioned, the last two months have flown mainly due to the fact that I have been travelling: a quick trip overseas to attend the FAI International Drone conference in Lausanne and then several sorties to local events. Firstly, to the Control Line Ring Master event at the South Hummocks Model Aircraft Club and then to Lake Leake for some relaxing float plane flying with the Blue Lake Aeromodellers. It was good to get some time on the sticks. World Drone Conference The FAI conference in Lausanne, Switzerland was an eye- opener and demonstrated, like it or not, unmanned aerial vehicles are a thing of the future. The conference was run over two days, the agenda being so vast I can only highlight some of the topics. There are so many bright young scientists and engineers working on numerous remotely piloted aircraft, many of which are now going through the testing phase that this form of transport will become a reality. Pilotless ‘Drone’ transport is a thing of the future, for example: • Utilising drones to replace wind turbines to produce electricity. These drones will be capable of flying at much greater heights and thus generate more electricity in the stronger winds for less cost. • A flying home drone security system that provides 24-hour monitoring. To date 2.1 million American dollars has been invested into this project. • It is predicted the cost of utilising drone transport can be reduced to the cost of running a motorcycle. • Vertical mobility will become the key pillar of the new industrial revolution. Experts predict a global market worth about 74 billion US Dollars by 2035. President: Neil Tank The MAAA are always keen to hear about your successes or story ideas for Wingspan. Please send your ideas to us at editor@maaa.asn.au . President: Mr Neil Tank president@maaa.asn.au Vice President: Bruce Hoffmann vicepresident@maaa.asn.au Secretary: Mr Tyson Dodd secretary@maaa.asn.au Treasurer: Mr Gary Pope treasurer@maaa.asn.au Enquiries about Wingspan, including advertising, feedback and story ideas can be emailed to editor@maaa.asn.au Remember, if your club is inviting members of the public to an event, feel free to advertise it on the MAAA website! Go to: http://www.maaa.asn.au/events to add your event.